T's NF Journey: Day 5 Travis' Make-A-Wish

From the beginning, Travis wanted to go on a cruise to Mexico for his Wish. Our ship docked at Cozumel, Mexico. As T loves to give back to communities and help out, the Save a Sea Turtle excursion fit perfectly for Travis and his abilities, baby green sea turtles. We ate breakfast and waited our turn to disembark the ship, fortunately we could walk off the ship on to the pier today.

In Cozumel, our ship is on the right side of the picture

Soon enough we boarded the tour bus to take us to the nesting grounds. On the way there, we learned approximately 20% of the baby sea turtles don't reach the water from the nest. Also, for every nest of 100-120 sea turtle eggs, only 1 sea turtle survives to adulthood. The thought process, if humans help release another 120 sea turtles, then another sea turtle would survive to adulthood. The cruise ships partner with Comite Municipal del Protection de la Tortuga Marina Cozumel for this excursion/volunteer/help. The baby sea turtles hatch from June to November, so we caught the end of the season.

Our guide describing the Save a Sea Turtle excursion

The tour took us around to the eastern side of the Island of Cozumel for the nesting grounds and opportunities to support the local economy. Beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea and items of handiwork created by locals at this break stop.

Beautiful stop

T loving being in Mexico

All smiles

The pictures show the rocky areas on this part of the coast. One needs to be careful while climbing on around, just ask Barrett.

Nolan in Cozumel

Making race tracks in Cozumel

We boarded the bus and headed to the site monitored by the conservation group where baby sea turtles recently hatched. Stakes set out by those involved with this program identified the location of nests where turtles hatched overnight. Our tour guide lead the group to a nest and showed us the proper way to search the nests without harming the baby sea turtles.

Beautiful place for a turtle to hatch

Marking the nest

Our guide showing how to search for remaining baby sea turtles

Shortly after starting to search the nest, she recognized the feel of a baby sea turtle. She called Travis over and helped guide him as he saved the first baby green sea turtle for our group.

Go Travis

Baby sea turtle

First saved baby green sea turtle of our excursion

The turtle T saved

T placed the sea turtle in the bucket for holding as we would all release the sea turtles at the same time in a little while. In addition to saving the baby sea turtles, we also counted empty egg shells from hatched sea turtles and those items that would never develop into sea turtles. They divided us into groups among the different nests and thus our digging adventure began.

Starting our search for baby green sea turtles

Nolan found one

Barrett did too

They are so cute, and strong

Travis and Scott with one

My favorite picture from T's Wish

We found only alive baby sea turtles as we dug near the top of the nest. We then needed to keep digging to find empty shells to count and other shells in various stages of development. Hats off to the female sea turtles as the nests are deep!! We learned the females may dig a nest only to decide it's not the right location and need to dig another one.

Digging deeper into the nest

Scott's turn

Just keep digging...

The groups all gathered together when the time arrived to release the baby green sea turtles. The strength in the flippers of the baby sea turtles amazed us all as we held them. It makes sense as they have to power their way in the ocean and facing currents. Our group discovered nearly enough baby sea turtles for everyone to release one. For a personal touch, they asked everyone to name their baby sea turtle. Naturally, Travis named his "Wish".

Travis and "Wish"

Some of the rescued sea turtles

Nolan and "Adam"

Barrett and "Hexagon"

They asked we stand in a line when we released the turtles to rule out any accidental steps onto the turtles. We learned that you can face the turtle away from the water and they quickly find the right direction to go. The video shows the release of Travis and Nolan's turtles (T's on the right). Listen and you can hear Travis cheering on "Wish" and excitedly state at the end "Wish made it.".

And they're off (Adam on L, Wish on R)

On their way

Almost there

Swimming!!

What an incredible experience!! Time came for us to head toward the next part of our excursion a tour of a replica Mayan village and tequila sampling. Temperatures were rising, so it was nice to be back on the cooler bus. We arrived at the village and enjoyed the tour, especially the sampling of Mayan tortillas with a variety of sauces. This tour included tequila sampling (and opportunities to purchase).

Travis getting carried as the morning tired him out

Replica Mayan Village

More of the village

Scott tasting a Mayan tortilla

Cheers

The kids heard the phrase "taco Tuesday" watching The LEGO Movie and thought it would be cool we ended up in Mexico on Tuesday. We spoke with our tour guides for local restaurant recommendations for lunch. We found a great place, La Mission, with incredible food and entertainment.

Lunch

T wanted quesadillas

Barrett enjoyed enchiladas

"Taco Tuesday" for Nolan

Our entertainment

After lunch we spent time souvenir shopping and even spotted a Ron Jon shop on the island. Travis and Barrett wanted to head back to the ship to cool off while Scott and Nolan decided to go for a swim. Many great memories created in Cozumel!!

Thank you Cozumel, Mexico!!

T wanted to get their picture by the sea turtle sign

Nolan swimming

Scott swimming

This night we chose to have the dinner buffet instead of the dining room. The boys heard about all the food available on the cruise ships and wanted to experience this...they were not disappointed. Most of us enjoyed the beautiful sunset on the deck of the ship, Nolan already joined his friends in the Teen Program. A trip to the arcade brought more races, desserts at the cafe, and another visit to the pool and hot tubs rounded off the night.