Love turtles! I was taken to a breeding colony on Zakynthos many years ago and never forgot the sight (in moonlight!) of the eggs. It's a hard life for mother turltes. They are getting recognition, but our world (or peoples) spend a lot of time neglecting,or stealing habitats of creatures, that sadly animals are all in danger of becoming extinct until we look after our planet more. Write about them and I will read.
That's a great trip to have taken! I envy you. And yeah they are one of the most struggling species, I suppose. They take so long to reach maturity before they can breed, and most their eggs never make it past the first few days after hatching.
Good luck to them all!