RECAPPING A WONDERFUL DAY IN LOS TUNELES

November 13, 2014, Puerto Villimil to Los Tuneles As we headed out to Los Tuneles in Roberto's boat with government guide Dario, captain Roberto and first mate, Stalin, the air around us was charged with excitement. We all knew we were going to share a fabulous day of water adventures. Special thanks to Octay of Australia for helping me with my filming. We didn't exchange info so I hope that you see some of our films. We travelled across open ocean looking for manta rays, dolphins and even orcas. When we spotted a circle of giant mating mantas the captain stopped and the gallant Stalin jumped in to take some film with someone's camera. Chunky black lava formations marked the entrance to the Tunnels. The captain had to thread his way through the openings to find us a perfect parking spot. The first spot allowed us to climb up on land covered with giant treelike cacti. We saw baby blue footed boobies relaxing in the nest. After some land viewing we checked out a couple of great snorkelling spots. The general look of the area is giant tidal pools separated by lava formations. The feel once you have jumped into the water is like being in a giant aquarium. As the number of boats going in here is very limited and the captains try to keep their boats well apart from others it is like our little group of ten will be very alone finning our way through ponds, sometimes under arches and into new surroundings. The seascape is hugely varied with rocks, coral, sand, beautiful flora and many usual lava formations. There is muffled exclamations as we try to communicate with fellow snorkelers about what we are seeing below. I will post this and then attach the pictures and videos as my first go of at this got lost in cyber space, I think. Pictures and short videos coming in a moment.