Hey everyone,
I’m wrapping up my third week of my two-month internship with Delfini del Ponente, and I’ve already experienced so much. From dolphin sightings during surveys to helping newly hatched loggerhead sea turtles reach the sea—and of course enjoying Imperia’s amazing food—every day has been memorable.
When I first arrived, I was nervous about starting the internship and meeting the team. However, our coordinators Enrico and Léna were incredibly welcoming, which immediately put me at ease.
The hatching of the turtle nest is something I’ll never forget. Seeing the tiny hatchlings up close made me realize how small yet determined they are, which even made counting them a challenge.
In addition, encountering the marine mammals of the Pelagos Sanctuary has been incredible. Watching striped dolphins bow-ride and seeing beaked whales for the first time were unforgettable. Still, the highlight was spotting a one-month-old bottlenose dolphin calf with its mother during a survey—absolutely adorable.
As a foodie, I must also mention the fantastic food in Imperia, especially the gelato near our accommodation. My favorite meal so far has been the carbonara Enrico cooked for us.
Overall, I’m very grateful for this internship and excited to see what the next month will bring. And I’ve learned that a morning swim after a night at a turtle nest is the perfect way to start the day.
Dylan
