Hatching Turtles

We had an incredible introduction to the Galapagos Islands today with the amazing and unique experience of seeing turtles hatching.  Our guide said that he had never seen turtles hatching on this island, and the last time he saw turtles hatching on any island was 4 years ago, so we were exceedingly lucky. 
We were about to leave Mosquera Islet when someone saw a tiny baby turtle. The guides found the nest and suddenly more started to appear.  They were about 10cm long and incredibly cute.  They were rather lethargic at first, but before long the first brave explorers headed for the water, slowly at first, then gaining speed as they got closer.  The first one to reach the water received a round of applause as he swam out into the sunset.  Before long an army of baby turtles was lined up at the top of the hill, gaining strength for the trek down to the sea.  Cheered on and thoroughly photographed they slowly began to move.  A few seemed a bit disoriented and were gently reoriented towards the sea.
By the time we left for the boat the majority of the turtles were on the move and several had already made it to the sea.  Hopefully the rest of them made it safely to the sea under the cover of the encroaching darkness.
An incredible experience on our first in the Galapagos.  You so have to come here.
Huge hugs
Hazel