May 20, 2025
MANZANILLO, MEXICO
We heard about a baby turtle release party and made arrangements with our tour agent from the Boat charter to pick us back up at 6:40 pm and take us to the turtle shelter. When we got there, we found about 30 babies were going to be released, they had all grown to 45 days old, in the shelter and sadly only 1/3 of them will make it once they hit water. Most of them seemed to be struggling directionally in making it to the waters edge, before the waves came in and washed them around. The volunteer would turn them over and set them up on the right path to the ocean. Very cute and we pray some of them make it to adulthood!
After the turtle release we went back to the Port where the locals were putting on a welcome show for us!
Today we went to see the coastal Naidiri Village that has recently won the Top Prize in global restoration, for their ocean reef project. The reef restoration was borne out of necessity to solve their dwindling food/ main protein source for the village, of fish. It was started by 2 of the villages rugby players and today is run by the local teenagers (mostly boys) in the village. It was great seeing how empowered and proud they were of their amazing efforts.
The port agent offered several trips to areas around Lautoka . We chose the trip to Serenity Island Resort which included van and boat transfers and lunch. It was a really nice day enjoying the sun, reef, pool, turtles and amenities!
I organized a group tour for a fun day experience. We had a great day despite the rain that decided to join in. We started with a 45 minute van ride out through the city, into the countryside. Then we got in long boats and went up river to a waterfall, some swam or cheered on the guides to cliff dive. Then back in the boats to visit Sabata Village where 50 family members live as a community existing totally off the land, along the river. Next was a quick boat ride to our BBQ lunch spot. After lunch we got to tube down the river, through light rapids, for just about an hour. We ganged our tubes together with the guide - we had a chain of 14 in my group and the guides totally blew us away singing hymns for a good chunk of the journey. It was truly moving in that place with the rain drizzling and all of us linked together. Loved it!