We weren't really certain about today's agenda when we set out to return Will's surf board. I took off to do some souvenir shopping because the surf shop was closed and it looked like we were going to have to wait. My ever productive mother arranged the Bay Tour for Tuesday which left us with the Highland tour option for today. However, that requires convincing a cab driver to drop us in the middle of nowhere and also wait.
We were able to communicate where we wanted to go and then about halfway there we finally clarified that he should wait for us while we hiked for an hour to look at wild tortoises. Thankfully our cabbie, Christian, was a nice guy. He also convinced us to visit a different "ranch" to see tortoises. Our original destination included a long rocky driveway and with 4 of us crammed into the back seat of the quad cab it was getting interesting. With all the bouncing around, Mom got the giggles and I was cracking jokes about how we must be driving over the poor tortoises. Christian stopped the truck and we worked out a different plan.
Christian did not lead us astray -- he even walked with us along the path and took pictures! We researched taking a guide for this excursion and it was around $150 for the group. We took a risk heading out on our own but it was an awesome experience for only $25 total. And it didn't end there.
You have to stay 2 meters away from the tortoises but that is close enough to hear them breathe. They gave me goosebumps. Looking into their eyes is an experience I cannot put into words.
No tortoises were touched during our tour.
After seeing about 8 tortoises in the wild we ventured underground. The Lava Tunnels were very close by and we walked about a 1/2 mile in pretty spooky terrain. It's a good time to determine who you can depend on; I only considered this after Jack announced he would not be the first guy to go and someone else should walk in the back. I think that means we can depend on Jack to not get killed in the horror movie I had playing out in my mind. I was ok with getting out of there, especially after we had to crawl through one section!
Going underground.
Preparing to crawl.
WE SURVIVED!
No tortoises were touched during our tour.
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