Today we were taken by a 1 1/2 hour speed boat ride to Isla Floreana. This small island has about 150 people living on it. The rest of the inhabitants are tortoises, , iguanas, sea lions and birds. (although I heard a rooster crowing so I guess there are chickens too.)The tortoises are in a protective enclosure because another invasive species, the black rat, kills them by ripping open their throats. Poison is placed all around the outside of the enclosure to kill the rats.We had a great time snorkeling in the crystal clear bay. I saw two sea turtles, one small manta ray , a large school of fish and a penguin swimming right underneath me!We had to do a lot of walking on this island. It is dry and hot there but I was dripping with sweat by the time we got to where we could snorkel.The tortoises were more inland and they tour company had a vehicle that took us to a trail head. This area was not dry. Being higher up on a long extinct volcano this area gets much more rain and it very green. The path we walked was slippery with mud. Many of us had only sandals or flip flops. My feet and lower legs were splattered with mud by the time we were done and Bill slipped and fell on his knee, getting his pants all muddy.Our guide said that because this island had fresh water springs it was popular with the pirates. Some of there hidey holes are still among the rocks.
