In my first two weeks in Tumbes I was fortunate enough to see the mangroves at el Sanctuario Nacional de Los Manglares de Tumbes (SNLMT), twice. I guess you could say I am a little spoiled.
During my first visit to SNLMT I went with Vicente (my boss) as an interpreter for two American couples who came to visit the mangroves. (I am not sure if my interpreting was done very well, but they were kind and said it was fine.)
We went to the Centre of Interpretation where a guide explained the types of animals, mangroves, etc in SNLMT. After which we had a guided boat tour around the mangroves. Unfortunately we were unable to walk on the island because the water was too low. (The boat was unable to dock.) The water level changes dramatically rising and lowering every six hours, a full cycle taking 12 hours. Upon our return we ate fresh ceviche prepared with shrimp that had been caught earlier that day…..que rico!!!
On my second visit I went fishing with Vicente and some of the people who work at SNLMT. Traveling through the mangroves by boat was picturesque, mangroves on each side of the boat, birds flying along above us, and the ocean ahead, just beyond the two points on the left, Peru and on the right, Ecuador. To take a picture just wouldn’t do it justice, you have to come here to live the experience.
During my first visit to SNLMT I went with Vicente (my boss) as an interpreter for two American couples who came to visit the mangroves. (I am not sure if my interpreting was done very well, but they were kind and said it was fine.)
We went to the Centre of Interpretation where a guide explained the types of animals, mangroves, etc in SNLMT. After which we had a guided boat tour around the mangroves. Unfortunately we were unable to walk on the island because the water was too low. (The boat was unable to dock.) The water level changes dramatically rising and lowering every six hours, a full cycle taking 12 hours. Upon our return we ate fresh ceviche prepared with shrimp that had been caught earlier that day…..que rico!!!
On my second visit I went fishing with Vicente and some of the people who work at SNLMT. Traveling through the mangroves by boat was picturesque, mangroves on each side of the boat, birds flying along above us, and the ocean ahead, just beyond the two points on the left, Peru and on the right, Ecuador. To take a picture just wouldn’t do it justice, you have to come here to live the experience.
Spending the day fishing at various spots in the area, the group caught many fish, and all different varieties, blowfish, an eel, guitarfish, etc. Well, everyone except me. I enjoy fishing, but I have absolutely no talent at the sport. I did catch something though, and it wasn’t seaweed……it was a crab! Everyone teased me about it. I recall then saying, “poor foreigner came to fish and only caught a crab”. Little did they know that was the highlight of my day. Haha!! Normally, I don’t catch anything!
When it got hot outside we took a dip in the International River, between Ecuador and Peru, it was so refreshing.
In the evening a delicious dinner was prepared for us with some of the fish that had been caught. We even ate the blowfish, which I am told if not prepared properly can kill you because of the poison gland it contains. Well, I am still alive….
In the evening a delicious dinner was prepared for us with some of the fish that had been caught. We even ate the blowfish, which I am told if not prepared properly can kill you because of the poison gland it contains. Well, I am still alive….
2 comments:
How exciting. I'm looking forward to doing some fishing when I come next week. I'm getting fidgety just thinking about it.
Hey Stacey,
I've been waiting patiently for a blog update since December! It is a very exciting blog and I want more photos!
A Canadian visitor :)
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