And the woman who directed the epic shots.

We hiked around a bend and the arid island suddenly became a stunning oasis. In a sheltered lagoon, a baby sea lion was playing; a small tide pool held brilliantly colored algae; an incense tree softly swayed, its leaves rustling in the breeze. The air smelled like sunshine and salt.

On a recent trip to the Galápagos, I could hardly contain my joy at seeing some of the animals that, until then, I had only seen on TV. The marine iguanas were one of my favorites, blending in with the lava rocks, not giving a care in the world about the human activity around them. But I noticed them doing something interesting.

Cruising has taken on a new, boutique slant. These small, stylish boats have a limited number of cabins and all the trappings of a luxury hotel. Small ship cruising is the newest travel trend and the most elegant way to embrace slow travel.