when i was talking about a few of my favourite things on my trip to galapagos i wrote that my favourite snorkelling trip was an encounter with a turtle. i had seen turtles before in the water, but never as big, never as close and never for so long. it was a lucky find as i was just swimming under the water looking for life when i spotted it. usually if you swim up to an animal it will start retreating, but this turtle didn't budge. i advanced until i was a matter of inches away from the giant beast, it turned to look at me, then turned back and kept on eating. i have never been more transfixed at the sight of an animal having lunch before. every now and then it would make a move, go for a little swim, and then stop for some more grub. it never went too fast - and i know from experience that turtles can really move when they want - so i was able to stay close. for well over half an hour. it was one of those rare connections with nature, like the deer scene in stand by me, that leave you in speechless awe.

here's the original

when i was talking about a few of my favourite things on my trip to galapagos i wrote that my favourite snorkelling trip was an encounter with a turtle. i had seen turtles before in the water, but never as big, never as close and never for so long. it was a lucky find as i was just swimming under the water looking for life when i spotted it. usually if you swim up to an animal it will start retreating, but this turtle didn't budge. i advanced until i was a matter of inches away from the giant beast, it turned to look at me, then turned back and kept on eating. i have never been more transfixed at the sight of an animal having lunch before. every now and then it would make a move, go for a little swim, and then stop for some more grub. it never went too fast - and i know from experience that turtles can really move when they want - so i was able to stay close. for well over half an hour. it was one of those rare connections with nature, like the deer scene in stand by me, that leave you in speechless awe.

here's the original