The Galapagos Postman Challenge is an adventure travel project to hand deliver 50 postcards around the world from an ancient post box on Isla Floreana in the Galapagos Islands, continuing a several centuries long tradition.
The main mission of the project is to raise awareness about Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and the challenges people with MND/ALS face in traveling and communicating. See the links in the comments for more details.
The Galapagos postbox has been operational for centuries. Since 1793, sailors on multi-year ventures once left letters for their loved ones, hoping they would be collected by passing ships on their way back to England, the USA, or their home port. This has become a longstanding tradition. Today, island visitors still leave letters and postcards in the hope that a fellow traveller will collect them, and hand deliver them to their destination.
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A huge hello and welcome to The Galapagos Postman Challenge 2024.
My name is Jonny Beardmore aka The Galapagos Postman!!
This year I've set off on a grand adventure across the world hand delivering letters from one very special post box in the Galapagos Islands to unsuspecting recipients in an attempt to reconnect the world one letter at a time. I purposefully won’t contact the recipients in advance. The uncertainty of how this global challenge will unfold adds an extra layer of adventure.
The primary goal is to answer, ‘Are we living in a disconnected world?’.
In a post-Covid world dominated by social media, I’ll explore whether we’re becoming more disconnected from face-to-face relationships.
👉 About my fundraising efforts
Part of my motivation for this challenge is to raise money for MND/ALS charities, which focus on improving the quality of life, funding research, and campaigning for people affected by MND/ALS.
“My inspiration for this endeavour comes from my father, Eric. He battled MND/ALS for over eight years until he passed away in 2022. Through this project, I aim to reconnect people through the written word, emphasising the personal touch that letters provide. But there’s more: I want to highlight the loss of mobility and freedom of movement that my father and other MND sufferers experience—a reminder that we should never take these abilities for granted.”
You can contribute to our fundraising efforts by grabbing a unique TGP T-shirt the-galapagos-postman.teemill.com Every purchase supports the fight against MND (Motor Neuron Disease) and ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).
All donations of any size would be gratefully received. mnd-new-zealand-fundraise.raisely.com/thegalapagospostmanchallenge2024/
👋 We’re looking for collaborators
The primary goal is to answer:
• ‘Are we living in a disconnected world?’.
• ‘Why do we feel disconnected when social media brings us closer together than before?’
The Galapagos Postman (aka, me Jonny Beardmore) is going to find out using a unique methodology… I’m on a mission to reconnect the world, one letter at a time… 😊🐢📮✉️
• Fans and Supporters: Follow my journey on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Share my posts, spread the word, and be part of this global goodwill project.
• Connect with Fellow Travelers: As I journey through the Americas, Europe, Central Asia, Africa, and Asia, let’s connect. Stay tuned for updates on my itinerary as the route unfolds.
• Collaborators: Are you aligned with our project goals? Let’s connect! Whether you’re a travel professional, an influencer, part of the media, or simply passionate about making a difference, your collaboration matters.
📍Technology – mapping & emissions tracking
Tracking Impact: Beyond the adventure, I’m tracking my emissions using mapping tools from zerosixzero. This analysis will help me understand the environmental impact of my challenge.
Travel & adventure mapping: I’m working with the fantastic team at ZeroSixZero who have created a bespoke map for the challenge. Maybe they could help you? Take a look at our map and let me know if you like what you see: z6z.co/galapagos-postman/
🌎 Connect and follow our adventure!
I invite you to get involved and follow my adventures on Instagram www.instagram.com/bigoadventures/ or on FB www.facebook.com/BigOAdventures
You can follow my tracking map at z6z.co/galapagos-postman
Jonny / The Galapagos Postman 😊🐢📮✉️
This is such a cool and unique project. Jon, good luck on this and smooth sailing. I am imagining a lot of fun interactions when you are dropping off this letters.
Thanks Ric. It's been a whirlwind so far. All of the deliveries so far have been a load of fun. And a bunch have been amazing experiences due to the people involved and the contents of the letters. A real privilege to be part of the connections they are bringing. Check out the stories on Instagram to get a feel. I've also got extended versions of several deliveries on YouTube. They are special.
Please add alt text to your images, video descriptions and close captions to the videos.
Hey Sassy!
We don’t currently have alt text on gallery images (that can be defined by the post author). The video on the post is an embedded YouTube, so I guess Jon could add that.
Will DM, thanks for the feedback!
Thanks for the feedback Sassy. I'll take a look and see what I can do.
Thanks so much, John. I think what you were doing is incredible and I wish you success! Fantastic way to raise awareness as well. :)
I got to spend some time with Jon in Nashville on his adventure. He’s very enthusiastic and a lot of fun to hang out with. He’s also very sincere about his quest to reconnect the world the old fashioned way!
Go, Jonny, go!
Thanks Brent. It was great to hang out with you too. Thanks for making my stay in Nashville more fun.
Amazing, brave and above all, inspiring!
Thanks Marian. I think you missed out a little mad as well. :)
A pretty cool adventure, the kind most of us would love to do if we’d had the idea. Splendid, and what a way to get to know a heap of new people from everywhere. Truly connecting people.
You're absolutely right Paul. I'm meeting an amazing bunch of people along the way.
Hi Jon,
Thanks for sharing The Galapagos Postman Challenge on Travel Massive!
What a cool project with a fantastic mission and cause. I hope you get a chance to meet some Travel Massive members along the way.
Where is the furthest postcard to be delivered to? Or do we have to stay tuned as your itinerary unfolds?
Thanks, Ian. I've been chatting to Lee Huffman here in Nashville. I hope to connect with TM folk in San Francisco, Toronto, New York, and Boston while I'm in North America.
As for the furthest postcard, it'll probably be the last one I deliver. I will have carried it around the planet over the 12 months of the challenge. I don't know where that will be yet as I don't know my route. :)
This is truly an amazing adventure. I’ve been part of the planning and am part of the wonderful support team and following from the start. There’s always a new twist or turn to the story. Really one to follow!
Thanks Kirsty. Your support has been amazing!!
What an awesome adventure! Whose door will you be knocking on next!?
knock knock... :)
La aventura de Jon es muy interesante! Lo conocí cuando llegue a alojarse a mi casa de huéspedes en Puerto Vallarta y quede encantada con lo que está haciendo, repartiendo cartas escritas a mano desde galápagos para el mundo!
es una aventura que sin duda espero con mucha emoción cada video que sube para ver la reacción de la persona que recibirá la carta y la historia detrás de esta linda conexión.
It was a pleasure to meet you in Puerto Vallarta for letter delivery 9 Andrea. Thanks for helping and welcome to The Galapagos Postman family. :)
Fantastic initiative.
Thanks for the support Neil.
Feeling inspired to send a letter to someone I love now❤️ Keeping spreading the love and connection Jon x
Thanks Michelle. :)