Dancing with a sea lion

Today was a great day.

We started out with a drive-by of Daphne Island, where we saw more blue-footed boobies, and for the first time, the Nazca booby.

Next we visited tiny Bartholomew Island (less than 1 mile wide). It had the prettiest scenery - just gorgeous.  We climbed 365 steps to the top of the highest point.  Because there is a step for every day of the calendar, the guide made a point of pointing out his birthday step. Which of course meant the rest of us did as well.  I noticed they had married the step that was the first it's each month, making it easier to identify birthdays that were later in the year.

As we were leaving in the dingy to go back to the boat, we saw or first galapagos penguin.  This is the furthest north (24 miles from equator) that you will ever see a penguin.

We got in the boat and went to another part of island to snorkel.  As we were taking the dingy to the beach, we saw another penguin, and this one was nice enough to be standing for our pictures.

There were two snorkeling areas - right on the beach fire beginners, and around the point in deeper water for the experienced.  I decided to go to the experienced sure, thinking ribeye would be more to see (hey, I've been snorkeling twice now, if you count Monday).  I was glad I did.  I wore a life preserver (again, I've only been twice).

Three view was amazing - starfish everywhere (my favorite was electric blue, although the brown with orange spot ones were pretty too), lots if pretty fish, a stingray, and the best of all, a sea lion.  The sea lion zipped by me early on, so I knew it was in the area. About 10 minutes later, he was back, and this time swam straight up from the bottom less than 2 feet from me.  As up see him coming, I'm not sure whether to be completely freaked, our totally excited.  I chose to be both.

He swam under an underwater rock, formation, and I soon saw him swimming in and out of the rocks, totally disturbing the fish.   Then he came near me again, and this time, I'm saying, "come on over, swim with me".  I'm sure if he'd gotten right beside me I would have freaked again, but he went by me about the same distance, then proceeded to do acrobatics under water just for me!

I watched him for a while, but then I got called out of the water.  Back on the boat, we had another fabulous meal.  Unfortunately, a short time later we went through horrible waves and many people were seasick.  We ended the cruise with popcorn made in the stove (I needed to do that again - better than any microwave popcorn).

We get back just in time for a quick shower, drinks with some people I've met, and dinner.  More tomorrow.

Edward's new animals: nasca booby, galapagos hawk, galapagos penguin