Team Conservation
The day began with another early departure at 7.30 to the conservation project and a quick game of ninja with the students to break the ice. There was no need for introductions, we carried on where we left off yesterday by splitting into groups to do litter picking, shovelling gravel to the path and creating a bench. Rosemary taught us about the microecosystem she wanted us to create in the garden as part of the interpretation walk for the students. The work was strenuous in the heat of the day but we reminded our male counterparts that we didn't need their assistance with moving the rocks, or the buckets filled with lava stones. During our break we showed the students our "about me" books. It was a great conversation starter and got most of the students exchanging details about their families and home life, and exchanging social media and numbers to stay in contact. After this some of the girls took part in a large football game before finishing the last parts of the path and the work from the morning.
The day began with another early departure at 7.30 to the conservation project and a quick game of ninja with the students to break the ice. There was no need for introductions, we carried on where we left off yesterday by splitting into groups to do litter picking, shovelling gravel to the path and creating a bench. Rosemary taught us about the microecosystem she wanted us to create in the garden as part of the interpretation walk for the students. The work was strenuous in the heat of the day but we reminded our male counterparts that we didn't need their assistance with moving the rocks, or the buckets filled with lava stones. During our break we showed the students our "about me" books. It was a great conversation starter and got most of the students exchanging details about their families and home life, and exchanging social media and numbers to stay in contact. After this some of the girls took part in a large football game before finishing the last parts of the path and the work from the morning.
Team Book Bus
6am start! We had breakfast at 7am and then left the hotel at 7.30. Instead of taxis we had a bus come to pick us up to take us to the school. The president of the community was so delighted that we were visiting his school he organised a bus for us and joined us on our journey. The school we went to had 26 students all from the Highland community. We started with an ice breaker of the 'Hokey Cokey' in Spanish and English, all the children enjoyed the run into the centre and it was great to see smiling faces! We also sang Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes and 'If your Happy and you Know It' in Spanish. It was really cool to see how children on not only a different continent but a small island are growing up with the same songs that you did. The children did some free reading and we helped them with their English language skills. They were all keen and eager to learn and it was very rewarding to see their progress in under 2 hours. We read a Spanish children's book with different animals in the jungle and they got creative and made a snake and a mask afterwards. At break we played 'Stuck in the Mud' and football! We had a really emotional goodbye and we were all given bracelets from the children. Overall it was very rewarding!
6am start! We had breakfast at 7am and then left the hotel at 7.30. Instead of taxis we had a bus come to pick us up to take us to the school. The president of the community was so delighted that we were visiting his school he organised a bus for us and joined us on our journey. The school we went to had 26 students all from the Highland community. We started with an ice breaker of the 'Hokey Cokey' in Spanish and English, all the children enjoyed the run into the centre and it was great to see smiling faces! We also sang Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes and 'If your Happy and you Know It' in Spanish. It was really cool to see how children on not only a different continent but a small island are growing up with the same songs that you did. The children did some free reading and we helped them with their English language skills. They were all keen and eager to learn and it was very rewarding to see their progress in under 2 hours. We read a Spanish children's book with different animals in the jungle and they got creative and made a snake and a mask afterwards. At break we played 'Stuck in the Mud' and football! We had a really emotional goodbye and we were all given bracelets from the children. Overall it was very rewarding!
We left at 1.30pm and embarked on a 4km walk in the bright sunshine to Tortuga Bay. It was a huge relief to see the sea in the distance and then when we got there it was even better. We saw lots of jellyfish as we walked across the crisp white sand. There were big wild marine iguanas sunning themselves under the mangrove trees and finches fluttering around. We all tested our snorkels in the shallows and then we took the plunge and kayaked out to the best snorkelling spots - and we were not disappointed! After much paddling and deliberation, Fernando and Mauricio (our tour guides) led us into the cool water. We swam 20m and underneath us there was a dark shadow... IT WAS A SHARK!! We also saw stingrays and a big lobster! We paddled back to shore kind of dreading our walk home... But we were surprised to find out that there was a large boat waiting to take us back!! After a very bumpy journey we arrived back at Puerto Ayora and walked back to our hotel! Dinner was at 7pm and we all enjoyed fish, chicken and vegetables in the traditional style. We don't want the days to end!!!
Melissa and Katie H
Sourds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for amother fabulous and informative entry.
ReplyDeleteWe're so glad that know one was the sharks dinner.
Lorraine and Tony