Seymour island and Plaza Island

Today our group splits into two because regulations require groups to be no larger than 16. The bigger group goes to Seymour and the smaller to Plaza. Both groups do some snorkeling where they see all manner of fish, a shark or two, sting rays etc. The water close to the shores is warm enough to have an enjoyable time. Waters deeper out require wetsuits for those diving as it is apparently quite cold we are told.

Those visiting Seymour see blue foots boobies mating and bearing young, Pilate birds mating, Iguanas and many other creatures and birds. Those visiting plaza Island see colonies of sea lions, land and sea iguanas ( apparently this is the only island where they cross breed ) and some birds as well. Both groups are back at the hotel about 4:30 and have a final few hours of free time before dinner at 7.

After dinner the group takes a walk to the pier where the lights in the water attract some schools of fish resulting in small Galapagos sharks coming to have an evening snack . We watch this for a while and then the group gathers and begins to reflect on some of what has changed in them since coming. This reflection time begins tonight but will continue on in Quito and more integration time will be needed as they return home. An email from me to we to help facilitate this has been sent to each student as well.

We now begin our journey home over the next 3 days so this is our last blog. Quito today, then leaving the hotel at 3 am Wednesday morning to Miami. A 4.5 hour stopover there then on to Toronto arriving at 7:30, clearing customs and on to the hotel for a rest . Leaving again for the airport at 6 am to catch the 9 am flight with a stopover in Edmonton arriving in Victoria around noon. The students that you pick up will be quite different from the students who began this trip. The experience has changed each of us in ways that we have begun to know and still are discovering, ways that will become clearer as the days and weeks progress.

Thank you for sharing your teens with us. It has been an amazing and delightful group.