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16th June 2013- was up early to make the most of the wifi before heading off to spend the next 8 days sailing around the Galapagos islands. I am so excited can't believe I am actually here, I have to keep pinching myself the scenery and animals are like nothing else.
Walked to the airport and meet with the guide from the boat at 10am we then had to wait for the rest of the passengers to arrive on flights from the mainland. It was noon before we boarded a dingy and went out into the harbor. The Adia Maria is a beautiful 8cabin vessel that is really modern. It has 3 levels and I am sharing a room with Swiss girl down below which is ok but you only really in sleep there, the rest of the time is spent above deck anyway looking at the island pass you by. After lunch we sailed out to Isla Loba and then took the dingys over to the shore were we walked around the very small island just off the coast of San Cristobal island.
Before we even made it onto the island the naturalist had to shoo sea lions out of the way so we could walk pass the rocks. Right away we were walking past blue footed boobies nesting. One nest had two small chick probably a week old. Just amazing to see the mother tending too and feeding her young and then the father came and traded off taking over nest duties. The blue colour of there feet is incredible and difficult to capture on camera. You could see the tijeretas birds flying around above you and some of males even had there red neck gland enlarged.
Walked around the island for the next hour just taking pictures and looking at the blue footed boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas, tijeretas birds and crabs. most of animal are currently caring for young so just watching the mother and baby interact is so special.
The baby sea lion that doesn't want to move over the rocks to were it's mother is so just tries to suckle from another only to be turned away. The boobies that share the duty of raising there young and keep guard over the nest. An iguana mother that has 2 or 3 young crawling all over her as she tries to warm herself on the black volcanic rocks of the shore line. Seeing nature like this is so pure and perfect.
Back to the boat we changed and get ready to go out snorkeling. We went in the small dingy again to a shallower area where the sea lions were playing in the water. Then jumped into the water, which is freezing but tried not to care as I was swimming with sea lions and a sea turtle. I had goose bumps not only from the cold but from the wonder of swimming with these amazing animals in the wild. They come right up close to u and even nip at you and your flippers. The camera makes a light under water that they were really attracted too and constantly came up to investigate what it was. Watching and playing with the sea lions as they just swam and dove... Playing with each other and us also... Just in there natural habitat INCREDIBLE :)
After about 30 mins was frozen so had to hop out of the water and back to the boat for a shower and hot cup tea. We were all on such a high and spent the next hour talking about and also just looking out over the water as the sunsets while we wait for dinner.
Fresh fish with salad and veggies for dinner was great after what feels like weeks of eating fried food. Watch a DVD on plant pollination and then early to bed. Am so tired after all the excitement of today.
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