Cruise Day 5

Today we landed on San Cristobal Island. We took the pangas to the shore and rode in a bus to the highlands to a turtle conservation and breeding station. We learned a lot about the history of the turtles and how they became endangered and on the verge of extinction. We were allowed to walk around the park so me and Sarah went on a trail. we came to a point that looked like the trail had ended and went back. on the way back, we passed our group. we thought nothing of it, until they didn´t come back. we were lost. So we went back up the trail and kept going and finally came to the turtle nursery. At the nursery the keep the turtles protected in cages until their shells harded to avoid getting eaten. They were so small. Its funny because at a year old, Galapagos turtles look like our pet turtles.

Then we came back to town and were allowed to shop. it was fun, but I found nothing that I loved, which is hard for me to believe. We were also allowed to stroll on the sea lion beach. it was nice to get off the boat for a while and walk around. However, I almost had land sickness. i could barely stand still, I would fall and sway. It was a very weird feeling.

We got back on the boat and went snorkeling on Sea Lion Island. i have never swollowed so much salt water in my life. We swam with at least 20 sea lions and it was so much funn I kept smiling and laughing, hense the large amount of salt water intake. We also saw about 3 rays as well.

After snorkeling we went back to the boat and changed to go on sore at Sea Lion Island. When getting on shore there were so many nursing mom and baby sea lions we had to walk on rocks not to get in their way. Apparently mommy sea lions and can get fiesty when disturbed. i was on the second boat and by the time the first boat had made it to shore, Antonio had to jump in our boat because the male sea lion was not happy and trying to attack him. once the male sea lion was back in the water we had to hurry on shore in case he came back. Once onshore there were a ton of sea lions. Many babies and even sea lion afterbirth material. So when I say baby sea lions, I mean baby sea lions. we also saw mating and nesting blue-footed boobies. We again learned lots of interesting information.

Once back on board it was Heidi´s 60th birthday and we had cake. She was on land all day because the fiance was not doing well. they actually stayed on San Cristobal for the rest of the trip. I have a lot of funny stories about the people on the boat, so if you want to know, just send me an email.

After dinner monica and Juan Carlos started a dance party. Surprisingly I was very reserved because it was real dancing. Not "Margaret style dancing". I had so much fun sitting and watching. i eventually joined in but I was really having fun watching. it was so funny because Monica and juan Carlos did an interpretation of the Blue-footed Booby mating dance. It was again a good day!

01/29/08