Lucille's Adventures in Peru Av. Fatima 820, #703, Trujillo, Peru --- www.perumission.org --- "Not all those who wander are lost." J.R.R. Tolkien, Lord of the Rings

We started today at Sombrero Chino (China Hat). You see from the picture in the gallery that is just what the island looks like. As I awoke and looked around, I first heard them before seeing them. The sea lions were barking up a storm! Sombrero Chino is on Santiago Island. We hiked first and saw sea lions, lava lizards, crabs, iguana, and the carpet weeds and other indigenous flora. The lava rock is really beautiful. We were so close to so much wildlife. It still amazes me. The hike was a good hike, but snorkeling would be off the dingys by some other rocks this morning. We went in and it was even better than yesterday. Today I saw starfish, surgeon fish, parrotfish, so many, and at one point, I saw this large black figure off my side and it was an iguana. I was swimming side by side with an iguana. I followed it and was able to watch it eat underwater. This is the only species in the world that feeds under water. I looked up at this point and am way away from the others, but see that our watchers in the dingy see me and are purposefully watching me. So, I feel very safe. It is good to have them watching out for us in case we get tired and want to get in. We always snorkel for about an hour. The starfish were pretty cool--big black ones and skinny bright blue ones. And one penguin on the rock. The others were all sort of together (I had been side tracked by following the iguana) and they saw sharks! I am so jealous!! But we will have more chances. . . that is what I get for wandering off by myself. To end this fabulous morning we jumped off the top of the boat into the water. It is only about 20 or 30 feet, but man it seemed higher. It seemed like you fell forever before hitting the water. We sailed to Bartolome Island and anchored for lunch. On the way, me and 2 of the other girls sat up top and caught some rays. After lunch we went snorkeling off Bartolome Island. It was really good snorkeling. We saw a sea turtle, stingrays, starfihs, surgeonfish, a small shark, and highlight had to be the sea lions swimming with us. It was so cool. I was swimming along and whoosh right under me came a sea lion! They were all around us swimming about. I couldn't believe that we go that close to them in the water. After snorkeling, we changed and then hiked to the top of Barolome Island. It has great views of several other islands. And of course, flora, wildlife, and lava rocks. These animals don't know to move. We almost stepped on marine iguanas so many times! It was just crazy! 364 steps to the top and the views did not disappoint. We had taken the dingys to the island for a dry landing and afterward, we went on a ride to look for penguins. We found them! a small group hanging out on the rocks. Galapagos penguins! Another beautiful day in paradise, and lulled to sleep by the sounds of the waves crashing against the boat. . . preparing for another day in the Galapagos!