10 May 09

Tonight we are anchored at Puerto Ayora, our last stop on this magnificent tour. I cannot help but feel sad that this part of our trip is ending. I also feel like I need to vomit and cry. Well, I have already cried. Im thinking the vomit may come tomorrow…Let me explain.

The tour officially ends tomorrow, but Tim and I have booked to stay on the islands an extra two nights so that we can go diving in the Galapagos' most famous (and treacherous) dive spot, Gordon Rocks. This spot is best know for its hammerheads (up to 100 apparently) and the crazy, strong currents. Now, I love to dive and I can fairly say that I feel pretty comfortable diving, but when the diving instructor tells you that you need to have done at least 25 dives to dive Gordon Rocks, and you lie and say "of course" (p.s. we've done liken 18 or so dives) just so he'll let you go, the blood starts pumping a little. A fear of sharks doesn't help the situation either. Should I be scared? Well, I bloody well am! As I write this, I am seriously considering not going anymore…but then Tim wouldn't go, and I know he's been waiting for this for so long! Oh, the dilemma! Signing the disclaimer was a bit sickening. Blah!

Just to recap today's events before I cry myself to sleep (no, no, now Im just being a bit dramatic - but I am so, so, so scared), we visited Floreana Island today. What's really cool about this island is Post Office Bay, which funnily enough, has a post office box which is a couple hundred years old and which was used by passing ships all those years ago. What is so interesting about it, was that no stamps would be required. People would simply leave their mail inside and those passing by would inspect it, and, if going by the place where the mail was addressed to, would deliver it. Even if it took a year, eventually, it is hoped, the letter would reach its destination. Nowadays, there are hundreds of letters and post cards in there left by travellers and addressed to people all over the world. Its not surprising that there's heaps of mail for Aussies, but Tim and I couldn't take any with us as we have heaps more traveling to do, but some people actually took some mail home and will deliver it! No postage required. We obviously wanted to test this theory and we did. Kat and Jimmy - look out for a stampless postcard coming your way! I wonder how long it'll take for it to get there, if it ever does.

Floreana Island also contains an old lava tube which is millions of years old (nb: a lave tube is simply a tunnel running from the inside of a volcano to the outside through which lava flows) and we even got the chance to walk through it! Its amazing to think that we were inside a place where lava flowed freely once. It was like something out of a movie like Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Lame movie, but pretty cool in 3-D! haha

In the afternoon we snorkeled at Devil's Crown which is basically a rocky outcrop in the middle of the ocean in the shape of a crown. Around the base of it, it was barely 2 metres deep and the visibility was second to none, so you can just imagine how beautiful the rays of sunshine looked cutting through the water and reflecting off all the colorful fish. I wish our waterproof camera hadn't died. I almost had a run-in with a male sea lion, which could have been disastrous if Tim hadn't saved me! I saw a sea lion in the distance and started snorkeling up to it, without realizing it was one of the males (somehow I missed the massive bump on it's head. Duh!). Tim swam up, grabbed my leg and pulled me away before it took a big chunk out of me. Yep, that could have been real bad. Thanks bebe!!

We also saw a group of penguins swimming in the distance. They were so cute, with their little heads bobbing up and down, like a dozen miniature Charlie Chaplins going for a swim.

Our decision to go diving means we miss out on the last activity of the tour - going to the Charles Darwin Research Centre and visiting Lonesome George. Poor George. He is the last remaining giant tortoise of his species left in the world. He has another 100 or so years to live. Imagine that - another 100 years without any family or any cute female tortoise to help the time pass by. Lonesome indeed.

Ok, time for sleep. Big day tomorrow. Did I mention that Im freaking out?

P.S. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to two amazing women, Cecilia Gbyl and Jeanette Kennedy. We are thinking of you both today and sending lots of hugs and kisses!!