Boobies, Boobies everywhere!

Before I get into my Puerto Lopez post, I think it is finally time I share something that has been cracking me up since I came to Ecuador: the signage in English. The other day, while using the bathroom in an Internet cafe, one was just staring me in the face that needed to be documented (Heather, I think you will appreciate this as it kind of fits into our continuing search for signs and business names that amuse us!). I think I am going to make this a recurring post...so here goes the first installment!

English 101:

Translation: Do not throw paper in the toilet.

OK. Now onto Puerto Lopez, the lazy little coast town south of Manta. I came here specifically to go to the "Po´ Man´s Galapagos Island," La Isla de La Plata (The Silver Island). Some say it is named this because Drake hid his treasure somewhere here...others say it is because the island glows silver at night because of all the bird poop everywhere! We may never know, haha. Anyway, I came because it is supposed to have some of the same animals as the Galapagos islands for those of us who cannot afford the $1200 it requires to take a real tour of the Galapagos.

Puerto Lopez

During August and September near the island all the whales come to mate. This made for some amazing whale watching! It was hard to get pictures, as they are not out of the water that long, but I did manage to get a little video...

Ahhh...whales in love.

And now onto the Isla de La Plata. An extremely dry, desolate island except for the BOOBIES!!Cool cactus tree.Now, I am not a bird person. Never was. I may have mentioned this before in the blog...but the Blue Footed Boobies have to be the coolest birds EVER! I am officially in love with them. They waddle around like penguins and, since it is mating season, the male whistles at the female and they do funny little "waddly" mating dances. Dances which often require the use of props such as twigs and leaves to show off their many talents. It was hysterical!! I, of course, was so enthralled with the little Boobies, that I completely forgot to take a video so that you all could see the fabulousness that is the Boobie mating dance. Sorry guys.

Boobies!
Smooches...I should also mention that like the animals of the Galapagos, the Boobies are completely unafraid of humans. I could walk right up to them!When they are born they do not have blue feet. They become blue when the reach the age of sexual reproduction and then as they age the blue fades again. But, the brighter the feet, the more attractive to the ladies!
There was also another kind of Boobie on the island, but for the life of me I cannot remember the name! See Below. 20 Centavos and a Shout-Out on the blog to whoever can figure out what their name is!Love is in the air...OK. Now onto the Frigates. The males puff out a big red bubble on their chest during mating season when they are trying to attract a female! Very cool!

I kid you not, these two were literally hugging the entire time!
Oh mating birds, you crack me up. Hugs!
Deflated Frigates.

Just so you can get an idea of how many birds where on the island!! After the hike around the island we got to go snorkeling with the big sea turtles and a MYRIAD of brightly colored fish. I felt like I was swimming in the tank at the Boston aquarium (minus the sharks, thank god. But there were a number of eel looking things that caused me to have a few panic attacks and choke on some salt water!)



And then back home to Puerto Lopez to curl up in a hammock, relax by the water and read Middlesex. Ahhh. Life is good.