snorkeling is still the best thing ever.
Today has been the best day of all of Study Abroad, so far. We left at 8 am for Isla de Los Lobos, which is where even more sea lions hang out -- we snorkled with them, at least 20 of them, and it was incredible. There was a rope tied down to a nearby rock, and four or five of them were playing tug of war with it, and all of the babies were swimming around us, spinning in summersaults and occasionally just stopping, mid float, at the bottom of the water to stare up at us. One of them was very curious, and came up and sniffed at all of us, so close that its whiskers were tickling our skin -- it started by snuffling at my outstretched hand, then when I turned it swam around and started inspecting my shoulder.
We also walked around the actual Isla de Los Lobos, where the female marine iguanas were digging nests and laying eggs, and the males were doing the headbob courtship business. The frigate birds were also courting, so we saw a giant black bird soaring around with its red throat pouch puffed out and rippling, balloonlike, in the wind.
After the isla, we sailed out to Leon Dormido for some more snorkeling, where we saw a fur seal, three green sea turtles, lots of galapagos sharks, some manta rays, AND a hammerhead. Also, a pufferfish. Apparently we had incredible luck, because normally the water is too murky to see much, and hammerheads aren't around that often. Ali got a great picture on her camera of me swimming after a green sea turtle (her camera's waterproof), so once that gets uploaded post-trip I will definitely be posting it.
At our final stop we went to the best beach on San Cristobal, with ultrafine white sand, perfect turquoise water, red mangrove trees and an amazing view.
... of course, my skin is now only slightly less red than a cherry slurpee, but it was all immensely, incredibly worth it.
We also walked around the actual Isla de Los Lobos, where the female marine iguanas were digging nests and laying eggs, and the males were doing the headbob courtship business. The frigate birds were also courting, so we saw a giant black bird soaring around with its red throat pouch puffed out and rippling, balloonlike, in the wind.
After the isla, we sailed out to Leon Dormido for some more snorkeling, where we saw a fur seal, three green sea turtles, lots of galapagos sharks, some manta rays, AND a hammerhead. Also, a pufferfish. Apparently we had incredible luck, because normally the water is too murky to see much, and hammerheads aren't around that often. Ali got a great picture on her camera of me swimming after a green sea turtle (her camera's waterproof), so once that gets uploaded post-trip I will definitely be posting it.
At our final stop we went to the best beach on San Cristobal, with ultrafine white sand, perfect turquoise water, red mangrove trees and an amazing view.
... of course, my skin is now only slightly less red than a cherry slurpee, but it was all immensely, incredibly worth it.