Sarah from England, July 2007
As a last minute kind of volunteer, I feel very lucky that I got the opportunity to work with the Katelios group so I wanted to share my experience here. My very first impression when I arrived at the campsite was how basic everything was! How would I survive?! My tent broke and fell down on the first day and I got heat rash soon after but it was all irrelevant. The simplicity of life is what I came to love and what I miss most. The work carried out is hard but satisfying. Knowing you are educating tourists to behave in a turtle friendly way, and seeing the results of your efforts, is incredibly fulfilling. During my time in Katelios I made the most wonderful group of friends. Living and working with such a variety of people of all ages and from all backgrounds is an enriching experience. It is effortless to engage with everyone as you are all there for a common cause, with shared interests and ethics. There is so much more to volunteering here than just the turtles but I was lucky enough to have several encounters with them. Lying in the sand, listening to the waves crashing in, watched over by a blanket of stars as you witness a mother turtle laying her eggs is something magical. Memories of snorkelling deep in the sea and crossing paths with a turtle in her natural environment are something nobody can take away from me. In Katelios there are highs and lows to be had every day. Not everything is picture perfect, things don’t always work out, but there is always someone there to pick you up, or a picturesque view to make you smile again, and because of this I would urge everyone, especially those who, like me, are a little apprehensive, to apply to volunteer. It might just be the best decision you ever make!