Snorkel

From

We headed out of the harbor to the reef. As soon as people got on the boat they shucked off their clothing and scuttled to the front of the catamaran where it was open to the sun. It was the first day and there was not a lot of sunburn yet.
You do not need to bring your own snorkel gear. They have everything for you as part of your excursion. They also sell underwater cameras on board but we had already purchased ours. You can also purchase a snorkel at the excursion desk on the ship so that you do not have to share. The stuff that we got before hand is a snorkel tube with a valve on the top to stop water from back flowing into it if a wave crashes over you. It also closes when you dive and keeps the tube pretty water free. I also wanted us to have our own masks. My experience with communal eye ware is that it is often scratched up. They also provide a flotation vest. Its not a life vest, its simply a vest that holds some air to help with your buoyancy. One of the straps goes between your legs. Many people were unable to figure out that bit of the configuration until the instructional briefing was given and it was demonstrated to them. They also had to keep telling people not to try walking around the boat in their fins.

There was a young man who was wearing jeans. I got the feeling that his father only just prevented him from wearing a long sleeve shirt as well. He was wearing a pair of flip flops. When he stepped onto the boat they asked him, “What size shoe?” and he goes, “I don’t know. I wear these.” The man looked at him like he was an idiot. The boy, who was about sixteen just wandered past him. Eventually they got him fitted but it took a few tries.

Once we reached the water we were able to gear up and slide in. The water was so warm. Warm like a bath warm. It was around 87 degrees. What a lovely experience. It was salty though. Saltier then what I am used to at the beach. Bitter, gag you salty. I had turned on my little water proof camera/camcorder and started snapping photographs.

From

From

From

From

From

After our hour we reluctantly came in. The salt water was so buoyant and snorkeling was such a comfortable, natural thing. The environment was beautiful. However, a storm was rolling in.

From

We went back to the market and found the stall we had promised to return to. I got my wooden gecko and also picked up one of the mobile, wooden dolphins they had everywhere. The shopkeeper thanked us for returning.

We didn't really explore here. We were tired and salty and wanted a shower and rest.

It started to rain cats and dogs. We found a bus that looked right and got on. There was a young man on the bus who was thrilled to be there. “This is the best cruise ever!” he kept saying as well as “This was the best snorkeling trip ever!”

My husband decides to ask him how many cruises he has been on. “Just this one!” he says. They are on the Fascination. It also turns out that the snorkeling trip was canceled. However, he was in love with life. That type of attitude is cute to see. Not enough to get me to have my own children but its nice to see happy thrilled with life types.

From Bahamas - 2011