Friday, our second to last full day aboard Xavier III. We started with a walk at Punta Cormorant, a green sand beach on Floreana Island. A short walk to an inland salt water lagoon, and we’re greeted by flamingos, including a baby one close to the end of the trail where we were standing.
On the other side of the island, a gorgeous white sand beach where manta rays play near shore. There were so many of them, we are warned about stepping on them, something they don’t take kindly to. They don’t mind being nudged though, and they sometimes nudge back as one of our group discovered. On the panga back to the boat, seven Galápagos penguins stand on the rocks to see us off with a couple of blue-footed boobies roosting just above them.
The wonder intensifies with the first snorkelling of the day. Swimming with sea lions…first three, then four, then more until more than a dozen are frolicking with us in the surf, coming in close and veering off at the last minute…adults, babies, some barking, others just looking like they were enjoying the adventure as much as we were. I have video but it far exceeds the allowable size for this site; I’ll try to post it to Facebook instead.
After lunch, we motored to Post Office Bay where you can leave a post card and take one to deliver in your own country. I found one addressed to someone in Whycocomaugh, NS and will put postage on it and mail it when I get back to Canadian soil.
For the final snorkel of the day, sea turtles! A big female and a smaller male entertained a small group of us for half an hour, munching on plants, swaying in the surf and surfacing amongst us every six or seven minutes to breathe. They paid us little attention but were certainly aware of our presence. At one point, the smaller one swam directly underneath me, so close I thought I could touch him. But I didn’t. They only way to keep them unafraid is to keep our distance. Small price to pay, since they seem so willing to grace us with their presence.
Just wow. Happy for you.
Thanks for bringing us along on your adventures! Enjoying your posts. We are awaiting the din of the birds to return to our back yard. There were times last year when it was deafening and I captured it with my phone. I didn’t think people would believe me. It’s been quite cool and rainy for a while here. I wore mits and a down filled coat for my walk tonight. May is fast approaching and I am hoping it will drag the warmer temperatures with it. My new job is going well. The work is a bit mundane, but I can work with ear buds, listening to music, pod casts,etc. so that’s a plus. There seems to be no shortage of work, so that bodes well for an extension. Easter weekend was good. Danny and I pretended to be Ken Kostick and Mary Jo Eustace while sharing cooking duties in Mom’s kitchen. We had a honey mustard glazed ham, cheese scalloped potatoes, bacon wrapped asparagus (I know!!) and I made Sue Rickard’s rum cake for dessert. All of it was delicious! Mum was in fine spirits and healthy. Well… that’s it for me. Looking forward to your next excerpt!
Wow is a good word to use.
Love getting all your news!
What a wonderful adventure!