Can you believe we have made it to day three with these three children?!?! Well, this story may make our travels seem more realistic and not so 'perfect'! I always try to write the good and the bad, the highs and the lows. This day, this day was rough for everyone, but we pushed through and ended up with some good memories!
The day started similar to the day day before. Breakfast, some snuggling, putting on our swimsuits and heading to the harbor.
I mean - how cute is this suit!!!! She was ready to go!
When we arrived at the harbor, we were at a submarine museum. We did not have a chance to check it out, but it sure looked interesting!
The kiddos were having fun, walking around, watching boats and birds, talking to each other. At this point, everyone is happy!
Our guide explained our tour. We would board the boat and head out to San Lorenzo Island (Isla San Lorenso). From there, we would pas between San Lorenzo Island and its neighboring island El Fronton. At this point, we were told the the waves would seem like a roller coaster. After this, we would visit Isla Cavinzas and Islas Palmino.
We boarded the boat, put on our life jackets and waited for the boat to take off. At this point, someone became a little frustrated with the sun, the life jacket, and life itself. Jaime and Jared entertained her, and we were off!
We made it about two minutes and Reeve was miserable. Jaime requested that the boat turn around so they could get off, but the guide was not understanding. I jumped in to help, but he still did not understand. We did everything we could to offer shade and comfort, but nothing seemed to work.
As we traveled closer to San Lorenzo Island, Jared and Jaime moved to the back of the boat in order to have more space and shade.
We learned that this island has three main parts. To the right, the military base. Recruits are challenged to swim, with no support, from this island back to the main land! The middle of the island has a vacation house for the president. The left part of the island is a guano factory. Yes, guano. This is huge in this area.
We continued on our voyage, amidst the choppy waves, the fog, and the cries coming from the back of the boat. This was the hardest moment for me as I knew going back there would only worsen the situation. I constantly glanced back, pleading with my eyes for them to tell me what they needed. Jared and Jaime responded with nods of the head, mouthing words, or looks of dispare. While the crying began to diminish, these wonderful parents were stuck in a position of comfort for the toddler. One holding without moving and the other providing shade.
For the rest of us on the boat, we were taken around to the next island and saw our first penguins!
As we continued, we saw a sea full of jelly fish, red, yellow and blue, as big as our heads, floating in the water.
As we approached the next area, we once again were informed of another guano collection area. In some of the following photos, you can see ridges on the mountains. These were created hundreds of years ago to keep the guano from being washed down the mountain and into the sea. You can see the dock where ships could come to collect the guano. In the bottom right, you see a fun and unique rock formation that they have dubbed the 'Moai'. Can you tell why?? Easter Island is definitely on Zane's bucket list!
Venturing on, we passed a small boat. This boat had lines coming off of it and a generator. We were told that these were scallop farmers. The line was providing air to the people collecting on the ocean floor.
We continued around and saw more and more sea lions. It was unbelievable. The were swimming all around the boat, playing in the waves, and overall ignoring the humans. This area is so popular, because their natural predators do not come into this area.
What does the guide do next? Ask who would like to swim with the Sea Lions. Guess who raises his hand...Zane! There is no way Greg is getting in, as he is afraid of everything that moves, and Jared and Jaime were otherwise distracted, so I was it. Zane and I suited up. Alden decided to stay and watch.
As I stood there on the edge of the boat, mentally preparing myself for this jump, I knew this would be the COLDEST experience of my life. I was right! That shock upon entrance was intense, but I surfaced and turned around to help Zane in. Now, many of you know, Zane struggles with ear problems (like his father) and cannot go under water. I struggled to catch him as he slid off the boat and into the water, watching as he stretched his neck as far as it would go to prevent the water from hitting his ears.
As soon as Zane hit the water, his life flashed before his eyes and instant regret was seen. He started to panic. "Mom, why are we in here? Do you know what the Sea Lion's natural predators are? We are going to die! We are going to be eaten! Have you seen the sea lions? They are huge! What if they come over to us? What if they swim under us?" Calmly, I repeated what the guide had shared about the predators. I told him we did not have to get close, we could stay where he wanted. We reviewed how we were supposed to greet the animals, by laying on our back, feet out, palms up. After a few minutes, we swam closer upon Zane's request. The closer we got, the calmer he became. We had to shout to hear each other over the waves and the constant sea lion chatter! A sea lion came just out of arm's reach of us and it was amazing! What was NOT amazing, was the numerous fish parts were were swimming with! The incredibly large colonies result in constant feeding. Constant feeding results in a lot of rubbish. Swimming in this salty, cold, rotten smelling, fish part filled section of the ocean was not ideal, but Zane was happy and that made it worth it!
Returning to the main land, we returned to the apartment for naps, for some drinks, for some relaxing moments for Jaime and Jared! They may have been stressed, they may not remember much of the excursion, they may have been sunburned in weird patterns, but they survived and we toasted to this moment! Reeve was happy to be on dry land with her cousins, her toys, her books and her nap!
The adults were not that hungry on this evening, but we new we needed to feed the children. We took an Uber into the city to Bao Bar. This placed offered Baos (fluffy bread tacos) and poke bowls. We ate quickly, returned to the apartment and were off to dreamland!
Up Next: Peru Day 4 - Cusco, Urubamba and the Mansion
What is the guano used for? Do I even want to know?
ReplyDelete