Wet Feet

It was a wet landing which means we plant our feet in the water off the dingy and walk up the beach to put our shoes on sandy feet. Our guide gathered us to talk of the things we would see on this island and answer questions. My attention wavered and my feet itched... for two reasons. We walked on designated paths on the island of Santiago. It was the afternoon and somewhat cloudy with no chance of rain. Only sea breezes and a landscape that was created a million or two years ago. However it was once for a brief time also a place where people took up residence and made salt for the sailors. But in order to preserve the place the salt mining production was discontinued. On this island we saw the marine iguanas and sea lions lounging. The lava rocks made the ideal place to rest as well as creating a unique environment that told the tale of how this land was formed. We walked to the grottos. A place where water carved it's place with time. Aqua-marine waters filled large holes and made lava rock bridges. As we observed the sea lions grunt, snort, and slide into the water; being playful on the edges we saw a serendiptious site. Orca whales close to where the sea lions played, hoping for a meal. We only caught a fin on camera but we saw them arc in and out of the water and away. They realized the sea lions were not going to venture far out now. We again saw them off in the distance. Earlier that day we had snorkeled and saw sea turtles and such a superb variety of fish. So this was the perfect day. A child-like wonder returned to us.


Other pictures of this amazing day and the fin picture I speak of will be up on our flickr account as soon as we are able to do so.