What a Sea Life/ Adventure Day
Sowell Family's Travels on Gijima
Skipper: Tim Sowell Admiral Tracy Crew Sean & Alex
Tue 2 Feb 2010 23:01
spot). We rose to a totally still day but clouded over, as Sean and I
prepared the dinghy for the day outings he spotted a large sea turtle
swimming past the boat 10 feet away, no rush head up and just taking in the
morning, (this is our first Sea Turtle in the wild). We then headed out with
the family on a 4 mile dinghy ride with a second dinghy from Endurance (the
kids boat next to us) heading for the Seal Rockery Los Islotes (24:35.110N
110:24.200W) off the end of Partida Island. On arrival we found us to be
first there for the day, and we tied up to mooring, and went over the side.
This is seal rockery breeding ground with 100s of seals on it, and noise was
intense, as we approached the a couple of seals played in our wake. Sean and
I went over the side to snorkel with them, Sean a little nervous at first
but settled in and the seals came up to us, ducking and diving around us,
Sean just watching with amassment at their grace and ease in the water. To
Tracy's and Alex's horror as soon as we left the dinghy a couple of seals
decided that they will replace us, and jumped up on to the dinghy and just
sat there, so Tracy was kept busy keeping them off the dinghy, for Alex this
was a little close. Remember this is no zoo it is a wild rockery similar to
the one we use to visit when I was kid off Phillip Island in Australia. I
was able to get some photos with the new underwater camera, and I we got
back on board with seals still playing and pushing us. Sean loved the
experience just so close and apart of their environment, at 4 he has only
started snorkeling this past summer, so he has come along and will enjoy
this trip as he can just see so much. See photos of Sean Snorkeling and Seal
On the way home we explored the coast, and to our surprise a Blue Whale with
two carves surfaced about 200 feet away, we were able to go closer and just
drift watching the biggest animal on the planet just 150 feet away moving
slowly aware of us, so we did not go too close and they were happy, again
Sean and Alex liked this, and to finish it off a set of dolphins came past
as we headed back to the boat. We then played on the beach actually in the
mangroves in the tidal lagoon with all 4 kids enjoying the company. On the
way back to boat we had baby Manta rays swimming in totally clear water 10
feet below us, we could just glide over them. Sean was out with the books
and fish guides marking off what he had seen, as he dropped into bed,
tonight we have Endurance team over for dinner, as I write this we have
showers settling in so activities this afternoon will be all on board.
This is what you live for just a day full of next experience, and seeing it
through the eyes of the boys and watching their eyes open and discuss what
they are seeing and ask questions is wonderful.
Stay tuned.
