Greetings from yacht Ensemble!
Yesterday we went on one of the World ARC organised boat excursions to three of the small islands just off San Cristobal.
We brought our snorkelling gear - and were not disappointed. The first site was a few miles north along the west coast where a small island peninsula forms a natural lagoon. As well as the countless birds we saw marine iguanas, seals and turtles. Then we got to get off the boat and go snorkelling and get 'up close and personal' with some of the local wildlife. Once in the water we were greeted by a shark (a small black tip). No one seemed to mind (least of all the shark) - so we continued to snorkel along the island's shore. The highlights included a play with some seals (they seem to use the bay as a nursery). They are not afraid at all - and love to play both with the snorkellers and each other. We also saw a sea turtle that again seemed very relaxed with the company.
Next stop was Finer Island (Roca Ballena) - a dramatic rock outcrop that rises hundreds of feet straight out of the water. The cliffs form a nesting ground for all types of marine birds - including the blue footed booby (our passenger earlier on the trip) and the night tern (the only bird that hunts at night - and the ones we had previously met crossing the Equator). We attempted a drift snorkel through the channel that divides the rock - but the current was too strong so we had to go to the other end and try it in the reverse direction. The visibility wasn't great - and Magali and I were glad we were wearing our wet suits - but we saw plenty of fish - including a number of sharks.
The final stop was Puerto China - a nice bay with a good sandy beach (and plenty of May flies). Magali got the wrong idea when I pointed out she was getting sunburnt on the back - and then swatted a May fly trying to bite her (my timing could have been better - and I missed the fly). She was most upset - and wouldn't listen to reason!
We got back to Ensemble in the early afternoon.
We decided to have a night in - and so had Mark and Janet (At Last), Robin and Mark (Bromwyn) and Mike and Carsen (Wind Dancer) over for some hommus, tuna tartare (plus other nibbles), and one or two glasses of wine and beer.
All in all - a great day!
Today we plan to do a taxi tour of the island and visit the turtle farm and fresh water lake.
Cheers
Dave & Magali
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