Saturday, November 15, 2003
The Origin of The Species
Hey All,
I am back in Quito Having returned from 8 wonderful days in the Gallapagos Islands, aboard the Yaught Floriana. I have to say it was one of the most memorable experiences of my entire life, and those of you who have been reading my emails to date will know how much of an accolade this is at this point on my trip.
I have dived with Sharks, Played with Sea Lions, stood next to a 100yr old tortoise that came up to my waist, seen hundreds of species of birds, fish, mamals, reptiles - taken several rolls of film and am pretty much Glapped out.
Our boat catered for 16 Passengers, Me and Richard - Two Americans, , 2 French Canadian Biologists, 8 Germans and 2 Austrians. Our American Contingent, Mary and Debs (mother and daughter respectively) Mary was in her mid 70´s, and acted like a 12yr old, Debs was in her mid 50´s and acted like a 70yr old needed help with every step they took, only to point out that everything was bigger and better in the states! Still much fun was had by me an Richard winding up all the other passengers continually during the trip, especially the Germans, who turned out to be pretty good sports. One the last day we found ourselves in a Bar with a Table Football, so needless to say we took on the Germans, and my time at KornFerry was not wasted, we embarassed them thourougly!
And Finally......you will know that I appreciate my near death experiences, as much as the next man, and in true Eric style had a great one on the last day of the trip, snorkelling at Devils Crown on Floriana, we swam around a partually submerged crater loking for sharks...
(Guess what's comming!)
We bobbed around for a few minutes admiring the beuaty of the corals and the colourful fish that live here, occasionally holding our breaths and diving down to look at something more closely, all the time hoping to see a SHARK
(can you guess what is comming yet?)
when eventually there it was, a beuatiful and majestic white tipped shark, swimming gracefully below me, only a small shark, about 4ft long but very impressive all the same.
So there I am enjoying my first experience of swiming with sharks, totally chilled out when, have you guessed yet? .......
Wait For IT.......
I get hit on the back of the head by a passing inflatable dingy!
(I didn't see it comming either!)
I ducked down quickly, the propeller I am told, missed my head by a foot, and tore a tiny strip out of my wet suit, leaving me with no more than a large bruise on my backside...needless to say I promptly taught Stevie Wonder at the helm some new swear words and retired to our yaught for a beer!
Still all well that ends.... and the experience did nothing to dampen the magic of the Gallapagos.
New Photos Here...
http://groups.msn.com/Kumuka/ericsfourthalbum.msnw
¶ 2:56 pm
I am back in Quito Having returned from 8 wonderful days in the Gallapagos Islands, aboard the Yaught Floriana. I have to say it was one of the most memorable experiences of my entire life, and those of you who have been reading my emails to date will know how much of an accolade this is at this point on my trip.
I have dived with Sharks, Played with Sea Lions, stood next to a 100yr old tortoise that came up to my waist, seen hundreds of species of birds, fish, mamals, reptiles - taken several rolls of film and am pretty much Glapped out.
Our boat catered for 16 Passengers, Me and Richard - Two Americans, , 2 French Canadian Biologists, 8 Germans and 2 Austrians. Our American Contingent, Mary and Debs (mother and daughter respectively) Mary was in her mid 70´s, and acted like a 12yr old, Debs was in her mid 50´s and acted like a 70yr old needed help with every step they took, only to point out that everything was bigger and better in the states! Still much fun was had by me an Richard winding up all the other passengers continually during the trip, especially the Germans, who turned out to be pretty good sports. One the last day we found ourselves in a Bar with a Table Football, so needless to say we took on the Germans, and my time at KornFerry was not wasted, we embarassed them thourougly!
And Finally......you will know that I appreciate my near death experiences, as much as the next man, and in true Eric style had a great one on the last day of the trip, snorkelling at Devils Crown on Floriana, we swam around a partually submerged crater loking for sharks...
(Guess what's comming!)
We bobbed around for a few minutes admiring the beuaty of the corals and the colourful fish that live here, occasionally holding our breaths and diving down to look at something more closely, all the time hoping to see a SHARK
(can you guess what is comming yet?)
when eventually there it was, a beuatiful and majestic white tipped shark, swimming gracefully below me, only a small shark, about 4ft long but very impressive all the same.
So there I am enjoying my first experience of swiming with sharks, totally chilled out when, have you guessed yet? .......
Wait For IT.......
I get hit on the back of the head by a passing inflatable dingy!
(I didn't see it comming either!)
I ducked down quickly, the propeller I am told, missed my head by a foot, and tore a tiny strip out of my wet suit, leaving me with no more than a large bruise on my backside...needless to say I promptly taught Stevie Wonder at the helm some new swear words and retired to our yaught for a beer!
Still all well that ends.... and the experience did nothing to dampen the magic of the Gallapagos.
New Photos Here...
http://groups.msn.com/Kumuka/ericsfourthalbum.msnw
¶ 2:56 pm
