Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Day 6

Our group got up extra early today. Most around 4:30 A.M. Our plans were to help with the Archelon sea turtle project. After having a quick breakfast, we headed out to the main building - which used to be an old train station. This is where my group would start our journey. Our mission for the day was to scope the shore of the beach for signs of a turtle creating a nest. The tracks were pretty obvious to spot said the official volunteers. We walked the shoreline for about 45 minutes until we seen the first turtle tracks. After we found the eggs, we had to relocate them because they were less than eighteen meters from the ocean. If they are less than that distance from the water, there is a greater chance for water to reach the nest. If water reaches the nest, the soil is moistened and more compacted. This creates a harsh environment for the newly laid eggs. When the soil compacts, oxygen is reduced. The moisture from the water also reduces the temperature of the egg's environment, and turtle egg's gender are greatly influenced by the temperature of their environment. If it is colder, hatchlings are more possible to be males, and the warmer the more possible of being females. When we finished relocating the eggs,we continued down the coastline. We also found an abandoned nest where no eggs had been laid. After searching, we met up with the other groups and later returned to the volunteers camp. After that we got to do what we've all been waiting for. We swam in the ocean! It was cold at first, but it felt great afterwards. After swimming we had lunch and are now aboard the ferry bound for Italy. Jassas "pronounced yassas" Greece and Ciao Italy.

- Austin

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Adventure Details

Duration 15 days
Destinations Athens
Rome
Pompeii
Focus Biology
Culture
Earth Science