Turtle Love

Well I thought I best write to you all with news of turtle love. Congratulations! You all have an adopted turtle to love. You don´t need to donate money, or anything really, but Meagan and I thought that buying everyone a turtle was far better idea that just some stupid fluro pink Panama singlet top. Although I know that some people maybe gutted that they won´t get the top. Kathy particularly.

So you´re turtles name is Ashima. It´s from the book The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri (I know I must have spelt her name wrong), a wonderful read and a talented author (her book of short stories, Interpreter of Meladies, is as equally brilliant). Now this name, Ashima, means something very cool in Bengali, but I can´t remember what. Someone read the book and get back to me can you.

The Turtle is a female Green Sea Turtle that was tagged in 2004. If you want to check out the work of the organisation doing great work here and in other areas of the caribbean, check out www.cccturtle.org, I have a certificate and everything!

The past few days have been long with travel and rich with experiences. Last night I saw a female green turtle laying eggs and then waddle and puff back to the ocean. It would have been even better if it weren´t for the 6 israeli´s that would not shut up. Be especially annoying as it was all in deep gutteral hebrew.

This turtle was huge, about the size of two Svenos. No joke. For those of you in Tasmania you´ll realise how big this is and as I´m sure sveno will never read this, I´m sure I´m safe in saying so. Honestly, it was massive. Even the young gal from california beside me at one stage said... "Like, Oh my god! That thing is totally huge. Is that its head up there? No way! It must be like at least 400 pounds." Unfortunately God/Nature/Allah had not endowed her with 400 brain cells (or looks to make up for it, before some of you ask).

Aside from having to hang out with twits, the nature side of things was awesome. I got to look in as the turtle layed the eggs, covered it´s little nest, then covered and disguised it´s 2 metre wide body hole, before hauling her worn out and completely non-terrestrial self back to the ocean. Then today and yesterday on the boat rides, plus the canoe tour at 6am this morning; I saw... Crocodiles, Caimans, Toucans, Herons, Iguanas, a River Otter (!!!!!), Spider Monkeys, Howler Monkeys and my favourite, the three-toed sloth. No doubt I have forgotten some creature but this is all I could remember and I just had to write and tell you all. Especially the poor souls in a Tassie (or Victorian) winter right now.

Well, quite obviously everthing is just fine and dandy with me. Heading back up to Honduras right now, it´s going to take a couple of days. I´m looking forward to work and getting in the water. Hope everyone is well, all my love and cuddles.

Cap´n Turtle Courtney.