Laguna las Ninfas and being able to hear again!

So, if you read my last blog about losing my hearing, feeling down and wishing that in a few days I would be fixed, then I have some fantastic news…I am back to 100% health! Our host Jimmy, who I will now refer to as ‘lifesaver Jimmy’ referred us to his private doctor and on Monday morning, after 15 minutes (of what the doctor described as a pretty basic procedure for divers) $55USD and a few tears thanks to yours truly I am now fixed, well I can now hear perfectly again. God, I am happy…probably not as happy as Leo as for the past week or so I have been fairly teary every day and not much fun to be around. AT ALL. 

So, today marks the 3-week mark of our volunteering adventure in Galapagos and also the 6 week mark of the trip so far so to celebrate we are heading to San Cristobal tomorrow for the weekend to explore another of the beautiful, wildlife filled islands of this truly majestic archipelago. We manged to get the return ferry tickets for $50USD pp which is $10USD cheaper than advertised so definitely shop around. From there I have booked ‘Cucuve Eco Hostal’ for 2 nights costing $80USD for a double private with en-suite and you can add breaky for $5USD pp…but after seeing the standard of breaky in some places we like to wait and check it out first before committing.
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Today’s adventure took us to Laguna Las Ninfas, (Lagoon of the Nymphs) which is a little-known attraction located in the centre of Puerto Ayora. We hadn’t heard much about it, but I had read a few blogs that mentioned it, and because we have the time and it wasn’t far we had to tick it off the list. This peaceful lagoon starts with a short boardwalk through lush mangroves. We had been told that you can swim here but after arriving, it is apparent that you cannot.

​ Don’t even try as it clearly states no swimming. Las Ninfas itself is a lagoon of seawater filtered through a narrow corridor of rocks and vegetation and completely surrounded by mangrove forest. It’s really nice! It is the also the gathering point of fresh water that comes from the highlands which allows a variety of inhabitants in the lagoon. Leo has mentioned he thought it would be

​There are plenty of fish that you can watch casually swimming around keeping out of the radar of the many heron’s eyeing up their next meal. You can also spot baby sharks, stingrays and various other types of larger fish but on our visit, we just saw a few types of fish. We even heard of sea turtles being spotted there which would be awesome to see, so if you have time, definitely add this small excursion to your day trip in Puerto Ayora.
The mangrove forests really excites me, I have found this the whole time in Galapagos as so much wildlife lives there and when you find a mangrove it also means much cooler temperatures, so I stop melting – maybe that’s the reason I enjoy them so much? Anyway, mangrove forests provide the homes to many fish and crabs as well as purifying the water. Alone the coastline, mangroves also protect the land from the effects of Tsunami’s as their roots stabilise the grounds erosion – who knew?
From there we of course headed to one of our go-to spots in town for a few drinks, mostly un-alcoholic. Today it was ‘Muelle de Darwin’ just across from our fave spot 1835. Leo ordered the biggest beer I have ever seen while I sipped on an almond milk Latte. Massive mistake as I wish I had gone for a beer! So, that’s it – we have survived 3 weeks, I have lost and re-gained my hearing, we are still loving the farm-life, I have picked up a glorious tan for a Scot and we are off on another island adventure tomorrow! Yes, life is fantastic! Oh…in other news however, I went to make a coffee for Leo yesterday and this was in the coffee machine – WHHHHYYYY?