I’ve just returned from a three-day jaunt to Cancun and my recent holiday was exactly what I wanted: hours of poolside reading, swimming in the ocean, quiet evenings, and an added bonus: creaturely companions...beginning with this iguana that didn’t want to leave me alone.
Maybe it was the fact that I fed him bits of my plum, but we were fast friends, and he let me take a close-up shot--even smiling for the camera!
But the absolute highlight of my trip had to do with another species of amphibians. I noticed something that resembled a sandy graveyard eight stories below our hotel room…
But thanks to my high school Spanish, I realized this was a sanctuary for sea turtle eggs. As luck would have it, on our last morning there, the first batch of turtle eggs emerged from the sandy depths.
The marine biologist let us briefly hold these newly hatched creatures, and for little guys, those flipper-like legs were strong!
Hundreds of newly hatched sea turtles were herded into a temporary tank, awaiting nightfall to make their journey into the ocean, away from the watchful eyes of seagulls. They slept for hours in the tank (frankly, they looked like they were passed out after having one too many margaritas)! Just before the sun slipped past the horizon, however, they woke up and were eager to head to the ocean.
The marine biology crew said to come join them on the beach at 7:30 to release them into the water. That night John and I enjoyed our last dinner in Mexico, and I looked furtively at my watch every now and again as I didn’t want to miss the turtles. When the time came, a small gathering of people met at surf’s edge; each of us handed a baby turtle to release into the ocean. The surf seemed so rough I didn’t know how this small creature would ever survive, and admit I felt a bittersweet pang releasing him into those crashing waves. (Call it my "Finding Nemo" moment!)
It was a great way to end a vacation, and speaking of creatures, I hope you don’t forget about our Feeling Pet-ty 2011 Quilting Arts Calendar Challenge. If a creature (be it wild or domestic) inspires you, I hope you’ll interpret in stitch and share with us!
Now back to planning our Quilting Arts 10th anniversary issue while nursing a mild sun burn...