Not hard to swallow, non existent. You seem to be confusing beliefs with evidence. Personally, I believe that the earth is not alone in supporting life. The Drake equation shows it is very unlikely that we are alone. The problem seems to be "time", the likelyhood of two intelligent life forms forming at the same time, unlikely, and then close enough to have contact with each other? Exceedingly unlikely. With the vastness of the universe, if we are alone, it seems like quite a waste of space. This is a belief, there is proof. There is no evidence.
How ever, as to man traveling to the moon, a cheap telescope or even a good set of binoculars and you can see the items left by NASA at tranquility basin. Apollo 11 left behind a reflector array so that using a laser that is aimed correctly, timing a lasers return time accurately measures the distance. This is evidence.