09-18-24 Tortoise & Snorkeling Day
There was a blackout for over 2 hours in the night. I know because of my CPAP machine. I was awakened when it suddenly stopped at 1:28 am. I got up and wandered out to the courtyard where it was surprisingly bright. I am told it was the moon through the clouds. I fell asleep again easily and was awoken by my machine blasting air from the night table just over two hours later. I wonder if it was due to the full moon eclipse?
I fell asleep last night trying to upload so continued trying to this morning. I am grateful that there is internet at all. I also didn’t notice last night that there is a heat pump with AC in our room which is a first on this trip and the place we need it the least lol. Tracey is the best roomie ever, not only didn’t she wake me while getting ready, she left me coffee while she went for a walk
It is a misty day and we are off to see the tortoises! Fabrizio loved my shirt that I brought from home and asked to take a picture. Little did I know it would be so perfectly suited for the Galapagos
We are at the tortoise rehabilitation centre. There are 11 different species of them in all
Reptiles, according to our guide, are the most primitive and least intelligent animals on earth. 30-40 years to sexual maturity. They were a source of food so the population was decimated. These are in a rehabilitation centre with hopes to procreate and release babies into the wild.
Babies up to 2 years:
2-5 years, then out into the wild:
As we were in the tortoise kindergarten, as he called it, another guide came with a group. I was standing where they came in and heard him say that here will be the babies and many gringos. I said, hey?! And on the way past him he said something about Latina and I said, no, Canadiano. He looked surprised, but I know that is a derogatory term.
Back to the hotel to ready for the afternoon and go for lunch. We found a great restaurant and then got our snorkeling gear, changed and caught the bus
We strolled down in the wind and I began to get antsy. The wind was strong and I did not feel it was a good idea for a group of novices mostly to go out with a single person. This was not something on our Exoticca itinerary so I must wonder if they knew.
I struggled with not being able to see clearly without my glasses, not having practiced with my phone in the pouch, and the tightness of my shortie suit. I was swept away from the group and made it mostly back to keep bobbing to the surface, filmed a bit of Jenny and then, accidentally caught my complete panic attack. Listening to it, I hear the bravado, the imaginary strength trying to overcome the moment
I was able to signal a couple that were walking by and they thought I was just waving until I swept my finger across my throat and asked for help. He took off his shoes and socks and came to give me a hand. I was unable to inhale deeply and managed to get Dave’s attention to unzip my suit as I couldn’t reach the pull at the back. It took a while to calm and breathe properly. I waited until Fabrizio was alone and suggested there should be someone on shore constantly counting heads, or more importantly that no one go out in that windward side. His response was that he told everyone to stick together. Yep, victim blaming. I was happy that that was our last experience with him and for the first time, I did not tip
Of course I was now fragile and tired. I was also very sad that that had happened as the sea is generally my happiest place. I was very embarrassed as I was the most experienced there as a scuba diver. David and Sharon were the most experienced at snorkeling and I was so happy that they took Hari by the hands and gave him a great experience. The guy who helped me was on our bus but I was still too shaken to introduce myself. Back at the hotel, Tracey gave me a hug and let me sob it out. We then showered up, and headed for the waterfront where we enjoyed a fabulous meal and beverages, even getting to sing to a 10 year old for her birthday. The debrief was just what I needed. On the way, we stopped at the dive shop to talk to David about what had happened, request a larger suit for me, and were reassured that it would be calm and safe. I also saw the couple from the beach and was able to thank Adrian.
triumphgal 