Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico - Best Day Yet!

The only thing that would have made today any better is if all my family and friends had been here to share it with me. Since that is not possible, I shall do my very best to capture all the absolutely awesome aspects of this day for you here.

We docked in Manzanillo about 11 am. Blue skies, crystal clear waters, warm but not too warm a day. The kind of day any and all Chambers of Commerce pray for. The excursion of choice consisted of a drive to visit the Salt Museum housed in the 19th Century structure where sea salt mining began in this area, then another drive along the coast to El Tortugario Ecological Center, after which we were to enjoy "refreshments" at a restaurant in Cuyutlan, then an hour drive back to the ship. Nothing in the brochure said anything about the length of the walk from ship to bus then back again. Didn't measure it but needed the exercise to walk off some of the calories I have been ingesting this week. In route to the museum our guide informed us that Manzanilla was the largest commercial port in Mexico. In fact, they are outgrowing the current facility and have plans for a larger installation nearby. The City is not known for its tourism. It is, however, a beautiful city. The drive was over a mountain ridge, then along the coast to the Museum. At the Museum I was a little disconcerted as everything was in Spanish and my Spanish is non-existent! The original mining methodology was demonstrated via pictures and replicas of the tools of the time. The mine was so successful the owner became very wealthy and the product was termed white gold. I later learned that the reason for its financial success was the use of something akin to slave labor. Same old story, different laborers. A short drive from the Museum was the turtle sanctuary. This was incredible!!!! We were warned ahead of time that the employees of the center spoke little to no English, but not to worry our guide whose name I failed to note would translate for us. We were shown a video of the purpose, progress, success and future of the Sanctuary, thankfully in English. Over 70,000 sea turtles are released here annually consisting of three different species. The largest of those who breed here can be over a thousand pounds and live for over 125 years - the lucky ones, that is. Unknown to our guide, a litter? (What are a group of baby turtles from the same mother coming into the world at the same time called?) had hatched that very morning! Sea turtles are born with a two week supply of nourishment in a pouch attached to their body. This is to sustain them until they are developed enough to catch and process food. It is imperative that the little newbies be released as soon as possible. It was our good fortune to be allowed to release these little creatures into the sea. Sadly only 1% of the turtles released here survive. I said a little prayer for my little one as it scurried to the sea. The sex of sea turtles is undeterminable for a number of years so I was not able to give it a gender specific name. May "Little One" not only survive, but return to this Cuyutlan Sanctuary for decades to come! Such an awesome experience! I can only imagine how rewarding this work is to all those whose job it is to save these creatures from extinction. Thank You!!!

The Sanctuary has been so successful with the sea turtles, the government has granted them the right to branch out into the protection of crocodiles and iguanas. Somewhat less excited about crocodiles, but hey, they too are God's creatures.

As promised we were driven to a nice restaurant in Cuyutlan and treated to an authentic Mexican lunch, then returned to our ship where later I capped off this almost perfect day with a meal of grilled lobster, loaded baked potato, Caesar salad and chocolate lava cake.