Today we visited two islands and had a couple of snorkeling sessions. The first location was only two hours sailing from yesterdays location so the boat stayed at anchor until 4:00 am this morning, then sailed to todays location by 6:00 am. The seas over night were mild but we both noticed the rocking motion. I hope we get accustomed to this.

The first activity of the day was a visit to Chinese Hat, a small volcanic island, that has a wide lava cone surrounding a steeper core. From a distance it looks like just what it is called, a chinese hat. We saw many many sea lions on the beach and in the water near the shore, many marine iguanas and myriads of crabs. There was some mist and cloud around so the excursion was cool. After returning to the boat we fitted out with wetsuits and snorkeling gear then spent an hour trolling along the shore next to the safety boat. As you would expect lots of fish, sea urchins, and star fish, but I did not see any iguanas or sea lions in the water. By the time we finished the snorkeling session the sun was coming out and it was nice for an hour of so of sun bathing. I think everyone is showing some red skin following that session.

This afternoon we sailed a shortish distance to Bartolome Island for another snorkeling session. Nina had the good fortune to have an encounter with a couple of sea lions. Then a walk to the beacon on the summit of Bartolome Island. This gave us a good view of the surrounding area and of the island - another non active volcanic island that certainly shows evidence of its birth with a number of small cones scattered across the island. On the way back to the boat we saw our first penguins.

It is clear from the first day and a half that this will be a photographic feast, or maybe feast is too gentle a term.