Leatherback Turtle and Orchid Research

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I have been here a little over 48 hours now but have had an easy transition. The weather is humid and hot but I am fairing well.
There are donkeys, chickens, piggies, cows, goats, iguanas...and more animals everywhere. I am pretty much camping in all ways except I have a twin bed under a roof and inside a mosquito net. Other than that everything is pretty much outdoors and very rustic...but I love it. We are outdoors constantly either doing physical work or hanging out in hammocks! Don't worry I have been wearing lots of sunscreen.

We do have a kitchen and they even sell diet coke on the island..though I haven't had one because I am trying to give it up. Oh, and rum is cheaper than fruit a bottle is less than buying two cucumbers! I am living with 3 other people right now who are very nice. The first night I was here, 2 people went on turtle patrol and actually found a large leatherback sea turtle nesting...so they called us at the house at 1:30am and we raced down there and saw the whole thing. I guess this is rare and I am especially lucky to have seen it on my first night. The other 2 interns have only caught a glance once since being here for the last 2-3 months.

Today, I went on an orchid research hike alongside the Quill volcano. The best part, I had to climb up trees to measure and examine the orchids. It was amazing..until the rain came down so hard we could barely see and we had to hike an hour back...Regardless, I am rolling with it and having a great time.

Don't worry I already found a couple people who want to start playing soccer once a week and I found a volleyball so I hope I can get some people into it! This week is pretty mellow becuase we are in between groups of volunteers...My volunteers will be arriving in about a week, so maybe i'll have to write in volleyball lessons between garden building and trail maintenance.

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