Live from the FIELD!!!!

Hello everyone!!! What an amazing day we had yesterday. We started surveying the coral reefs at Lindsay’s Reef, San Salvador, and some people even saw some large sharks… We worked very hard to tread water above our survey point to make sure all the data we collect for the coral reef study was accurate.

Then in the afternoon, we went to the second highest point on the island and climbed up the spiral staircase of the lighthouse. It was built many years ago by the British to stop people from “ship wrecking,” a form of pirating goods from merchant ships by lighting fires on the beaches that made people think it was a safe place to land and thus wrecking their vessels. Then, the pirates would steal anything of value. Once the lighthouse was erected, it became more difficult for pirates to do this, which helped out British merchant ships.

Then, in the later afternoon, we went up to go down. Wondering what I’m talking about? We hiked up a large hill through the thick brush to get to a wonderful cave to hike into to see bats! The cave actually had water in it, so we swam inside it much of the way going between stalactites and stalagmites. It was an awesome sight. We even turned off all our waterproof flashlights once we were inside to experience true total darkness. This cavern was one of the best experiences of my trip so far.

This morning, we were all geared and ready to survey Rocky Point Reef, but when we got there, the waves were much too aggressive, and it would have been dangerous, so we instead went to see some other sights of the island. We got to visit a really interesting coral reef fossil bed from where other parts of the island had been under water 125,000 years ago during a different global warming period. Then we went into town again, and I visited with Bloneva, a 74 year old native who taught me how to use palm tree leaves to weave baskets… which I plan to teach to everyone when I get back.

So… the adventures continue as we will go out to Rice Bay reef this afternoon, and hopefully I’ll be able to get back online soon to tell you all about it. We’re not sure if we’ll be able to post any more pictures, but I hope to read more of your comments on the blog soon!

Mrs. Hester