Dec 26: Lava Architecture

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Boat ride to “lava tunnels” … Mostly not exactly tunnels but fragmented lava archways and formations.

We saw only a couple baby boobies, because this is not their proper nesting season.

We did some snorkelling in the lava formations, where a highlight was seeing seahorses. Then on the boat ride back to shore, we saw giant rays leaping out of the water and rolling on the surface, so we all leapt into our flippers and jumped off the boat to swim with them in the open water. I happened to be on the lucky side of our group, as only the guide and I actually saw a giant ray. I’m guessing it was 2 meters across. Absolutely amazing.

Then we had an organizational hiccup – the afternoon’s activity was supposed to be another boat ride and more snorkelling… But the boat operator goofed up and double-booked, leaving us in the lurch. Jorgen capably pivoted to Jeannie’s suggestion that we could bike to the “wall of tears”, a totally unnecessary rock wall made by inmates of a penal colony here between 1944-1959.

There is rumoured to be pirate treasure still hidden around this area. We didn’t find any treasure, but we did see some more giant tortoises on our way back.
We were pretty happy to be on dry land.
And on wheels
After supper at a small restaurant, we enjoyed pina coladas and the sunset on the beach.

Tomorrow we’re leaving the hotel at 5:15am, so goodnight.

F

PS: Our group also observed a couple of very entertaining couples today. People watching can be almost as amazing as viewing exotic species… On the snorkelling trip, we met an incredibly charismatic larger than life biracial couple of international English teachers on a three-year round-the-world cruise… And in town, the fantastically directive Indian woman and her very handsome Polish/Irishman… I think this photo captures a lot.

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