Whales galore

Well today, after finally getting off my arse to do something, i had the most amazing day. Went on a boat trip whale spotting, snorkelling and to the isla del plata (apparently a mini galapagos) So the island was really cool (if a little brown) and saw hundreds of blue footed boobies (yes, they do have bright blue feet such is the imagination of bird namers) and as they are not afraid of humans, we could get within 1m of them which was pretty amazing. Then snorkelling was also mind blowing with huge shoals of fish (my fave, quantity always wins over quality with me!) as well as trumpet fish and these huge fish which apparently, according to the guides on the boat, were pig fish (this is assuming that my description in spanish with lots of hand gestures accurately described the fish i meant!).

But, better than all this, were the whales. So bear in mind that when i went whale spotting in NA, we saw 4 whales and they just came up for air then dived down splashing their tail one and I was beside myself with excitement. On this trip we were in a tiny boat (16 people) and on the way out the island we saw 3 groups of 2-3 whales all blowing water and splashing their tails around on the surface for ages......v exciting! Then on the way back we came across a pair who were doing some mating dance (this could be entirely wrong as it is all my translation from spanish) but i think the female slaps her tail around on the water for a while to attract men. Men then come, slap their flippers around on the water for a while and then she chooses the best man slapper (so to speak). So this all got me v excited as have never seen a whale mating dance before (unsurprisingly) and i couldnt really understand why the guides were dissappointed for us. So off we head for home. And on the way back i discover why the guides were sad. Our marvellous captain (definately had the best boat, we always were the first ones to find whales and always had the best view - hurrah) found another pair who were literally jumping out the water. It was one of the most incredible, awe inspiring things I have ever seen, to watch these huge animals (about 15m long) hurl themselves out the water and then splash down. And we were so close it felt incredibly intimate and I almost began to think they were putting on a show especially for us. You can probably tell from this that I loved every moment and wasnt even put off when one irritating american girl started to complain that she was bored!!!!! Am still way more emocionante (excited) than a 27yr old chica should be and its now at least 4 hours later!

not sure what to do tommorrow. weather v grey and drizzly so might just head for the mountains if it carries on.....was going to go walking tomorrow but no chance if it is raining! Could always go whale spotting again!!!! For the bargin price of 11pounds doesnt seem like a ridiculous idea!