Most of us rented equipment in Salem and lugged it to the Galapagos. I got a short wet suit and fins and bought a mask and the snorkel. Salem Scuba was the best! I also got the defogging goop--free!
Our first snorkeling trip was from a boat at Isla Lobos. When I jumped into the water, the Humboldt current made the water about 60 degrees and I immediately hyperventilated from the cold. After a few minutes, I got warmed up enough to plunk my face into the water and take a look. We snorkeled with the sea lions and some of the group saw parrot fish. Factoid: white sandy beaches here are provided courtesy of parrot fish eating coral for generations and depositing the nice white remains which becomes the sand. I saw a bunch of small red fish swimming in schools among the rocks. Very cool. Literally and figuratively.
We´ve also snorkeled at Las Tintereras which Janel loves to call Las Tourettes. The entry there is through a long hike over mostly smooth gravel, sand and occasional lava rock/boulder to a small bay surrounded by cliffs. We climbed down big rocks to the water and used a fairly flat rock to get into the water. Once again, that good ole' current made sure we were happy to have the wet suits. Once in, I saw all kinds of fish--black with gold eyes, long turqoise with dark blue spots. On some rocks, some kind of big snail had attached with a shell that was pointed at both ends. I later saw these kinds of shells hanging from blue cord, used as planters in an ice cream shop.
Another day, we hiked to Punta Carola and entered from the rocky beach. The waves weren´t big, but the force of the water dragged you down when they went back out. Karen, Melody, David, Sarah and I tooled around and saw lots of fish, but no shells. I saw a tire on the bottom but it is the first ¨trash¨ I have seen anywhere in the water. Back on the beach, Janel and Cynthia kept guard, watching the sea lions plop themselves on the beach. When David got out, one of the big males bared his teeth and chased him up the beach, David´s mouth a perfect O as he beat a hasty retreat!
Today, July 26, Janel and Karen have gone to Guayaquil, Janel to return home, Karen to gather the new members of the group who will be visiting the islands with us. As I type, the remaining crew are snorkeling at La Loberia, the first place we hiked with the U of Arizona crew. In addition to the rocky cliffs where you can see blue footed boobies, you can find fairly flat beach, albeit rocky. Cynthia is going snorkeling for the first time. Can´t wait to see how she handled the cold water since she HATES to be cold!
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