To do list: Beach

First, a mosquito just landed on my arm and then flew off really fast. I am slathered in bug repellant. I hate putting the stuff on because I know it is toxic, at least I know it works!

Back to the blog.

In my last blog, I meant to say snorkeling, not scuba.

We (me and my two new friends from Canada and Finland) went on a snorkeling tour together. First, we took a boat to dolphin bay and saw some dolphins. Not that exciting after seeing them by surprise on the speed boat.

Next, we headed to the place where we were supposed to snorkel. The boat stopped in the middle of the ocean and the guide was like OK. For some reason I thought we would go to a beach and then wade in to the water. Nope, we jump off in the middle of the sea.

Looking into the water I wasn’t really impressed. I put on my gear anyways and took the plunge. I was shocked to find an entire city of a world just 3 feet under the water. Everywhere I looked there were amazing colors, shapes and tons of life. Even blind as I am (I didn’t have any contacts on) it was incredible.

There were these wild cone-like structures, coral in the shape of humongous brains, little sea urchins, and lots of tropical fish. I didn´t even care that my sunscreen was burning my eyes. Everywhere I looked there were new colors including reds, purples, bright yellows, electric blues, silver, and much more. I am hooked on snorkeling.

I was the last one back to the boat and the only reason I was willing to climb back in the boat is because I thought we were going again one more time in another place. The second dive didn´t actually happen...

Next we stopped off at a national park, which was the most beautiful beach I have ever seen, including in pictures.





The girls and I found some palm tree shade and then dove into the crystal blue water. The sand was perfectly white, with no rocks, see weed, or anything undesirable. Just white sand for miles.




I swam out in the warm water yet refreshing water to about twice my height. I looked down and the water was so clear I could see to the bottom. I spotted something that looked like a bright orange starfish and without second guessing I dove down to get him. My ears hurt a little and he was pretty heavy, but I was able to take him around the beach to meet everyone... It was so much fun.





Later I noticed a fish swim by that was the same color as the sand. I decided to go get the snorkeling gear. I spent the next hour chasing little schools of fish around. They were all so well camouflaged, they were probably swimming around us earlier, but we overlooked them. I really wish I had brought an underwater camera!

When we finally left the paradise, everyone was too tired to go snorkeling again. Except me, but I was outvoted by 13 others. On the way back to our island, the guide stopped at a restaurant on the water. We all had dinner plans with a couple back at the island so we just hung out in the hammocks.



The next day... and everyday after, I have been at the beach. Different beaches, all unique and beautiful in there own way. Here are some pics.

I made back to the beach with starfish (that I never got to see because I was sidetracked by the millionaire). Here is the speed boat we chased dolphins with.



I found tons of starfish.





One day before going to a beach, my new Canadian friend and I went spelunking! We hired a taxi to drive us to some bat filled caves. The front of the cave had some religious statutes. Apparently the Virgin Mary appeared there once upon a time.



We met the caretaker and he took us through the pitch black, slimy caves.



There was some rock climbing and dripping from the ceiling. Half way through I spotted giant spiders running aroud. Definately an only need to do it once experience, including where I was putting my hands to climb. I looked closer and discovered they were just crabs. Then the bats starting flying around my head. I was thinking, how am I going to make it out of here?

I took this just before I met the bats... Still smiling.



Lucky for me it was a one way cave and after some mini freak outs, there was an opening on the other side. The guide offered to take us either back through or to a cave where we have to wade in up to our waist. We passed.

You would too if you saw these beady little red eyes staring at you...



Back on in town (and after a shower) we went for some Caribbean food on the water and were serenaded by this guy. He only played Bob Marley and Calypso. Ok by me.