Tortuga Bay
The weak sauce teenagers are having a little trouble maintaining the pace of their father and have made a request for a “down” day. Sitting in the house when there are things to see makes my soul hurt, so we settle on a return trip to Tortuga Bay, this time with our entire group. The walk in hasn’t gotten any shorter, but fortunately it’s earlier in the day and the temperature is not yet unbearable. Traveling’ Gran is on a mission, breaking trail and threatening to leave the rest of us in the dust.
We stop first at the body surfing beach, but the tide is out, putting the good waves a bit further away than Mom is comfortable letting her flock wander. Nevertheless, they kill some time being silly in the shallow water, just like they used to when they were little. There is something magical about a beach that strips away the burdens of growing up and makes them all kids again.
The low tide has also exposed a land bridge to what was a rocky island a few days ago when we were here last. It looks like some blue-footed boobies have set up shop there so we do a bit of minor scrambling to check it out. We are rewarded not only with some close up encounters, but front row seats to a booby dance as well. When this species of bird mates, they attract a partner by lifting up their feet, one after the other, showing off how blue they are (presumably the bluer the better).
Around this point is a cove with calm water and some trees along the beach that provided much needed shade. We stake our claim on a nice patch of sand, and as the boys head into the water to do some snorkeling, the rest of our party starts in on a nap-Kindle-nap rotation. Just as I fade off to sleep, I am awoken by the sensation of tiny claws on my feet. Peering out from under my hat, I see one of the countless finches that inhabit the island, in search of crumbs that may have fallen to the ground. At the same time, my trusty traveling companion is downright giddy as another tiny bird hops up her leg. It’s another reminder of just how special this place is, and no matter how many times I see it, the level of comfort the wildlife has with people amazes me.
After a relaxing day, we pack up and start the long walk back to the house. We’re dragging it a bit more than on the way in, but before we know it, we’re back in the hammocks, enjoying a cold glass of Inca Cola (well those of us that can tolerate the taste of liquid bubble gum anyways).