Tobago Cays, 
The Grenadines
12.37.764N
61.21.422W
For the first time in months, the day was overcast the whole day. Still, we managed to sneak in a snorkel. I supposed we should have checked the tide tables first because as soon as we tied our dinghy to the mooring ball in the reefs, donned our gear and jumped in, the current quickly carried us downstream. Still we swam against it for as long as we could before deciding we would be better off snorkeling around the reefs until the tide slackened. After that, we could go outside to the wall.
We chased the fish with our camera for about an hour then headed back to the boat. By this time, we saw Gerry & Nicky in their yellow duck coming towards us. They had already found a spot to snorkel and came to tell us that although they had seen lots of fish, they hadn’t seen the turtles they were hoping to see. That’s alright, Dale & I happen to know where the turtles are. In the turtle grass, of course!
We dinked around to the little island where the turtles hang out and beached the dinks, tying them off to a couple of coconut trees. We donned our gear and duck walked into the water churning with sand and seaweed. We swam out a few feet and took off all of our gear which was now filled with sand and bits of seaweed and rinsed them off before putting them on again. Now we were ready to swim with the turtles.
Nicky spotted one right away and I started snapping pictures. I found a couple of star fish and started snapping photos of them too when Nicky found some more turtles. I tried to get photos of everyone swimming with the turtles, but alas, I can’t hold my breath long enough to swim down, line up the photo and snap the picture before either the turtle, the swimmers or I move. You’ll just have to trust that we were all there.
I think Nicky and I could have played in the water for the rest of the afternoon but the guys were cold and had already left us to stand on the beach and try to warm up. We swam back to them and tried to get out of the water as dignified as possible but ended up being deposited at their feet, giggling like schoolgirls, with the incoming tide completely covered in sand and seaweed. We untied the dinks, turned them around and pushed them back into the water. It’s always a challenge to hop in the dink before you’re in too deep of water and keep the dang thing headed in the right direction while you’re starting the motor. Somehow we all managed and returned to our respective boats to shower off, warm up and take a couple of naps. I was surprised to see that we had been in the water for 3.5 hours and in spite of our showers, I’m still dusting the sand off.
Dinner was on MTNest tonight and the fare was “picnic”. Terri made barbeque sandwiches and coleslaw, I made pineapple casserole and Nicky made loaded baked potato skins. We finished with Rice Krispy treats. Now I ask you, what better menu could you ask for in paradise?
Tomorrow morning, I hope to squeeze in one more swim before we head out but the forecast is for more rain, so we’ll see.
The Grenadines
12.37.764N
61.21.422W
For the first time in months, the day was overcast the whole day. Still, we managed to sneak in a snorkel. I supposed we should have checked the tide tables first because as soon as we tied our dinghy to the mooring ball in the reefs, donned our gear and jumped in, the current quickly carried us downstream. Still we swam against it for as long as we could before deciding we would be better off snorkeling around the reefs until the tide slackened. After that, we could go outside to the wall.
We chased the fish with our camera for about an hour then headed back to the boat. By this time, we saw Gerry & Nicky in their yellow duck coming towards us. They had already found a spot to snorkel and came to tell us that although they had seen lots of fish, they hadn’t seen the turtles they were hoping to see. That’s alright, Dale & I happen to know where the turtles are. In the turtle grass, of course!
We dinked around to the little island where the turtles hang out and beached the dinks, tying them off to a couple of coconut trees. We donned our gear and duck walked into the water churning with sand and seaweed. We swam out a few feet and took off all of our gear which was now filled with sand and bits of seaweed and rinsed them off before putting them on again. Now we were ready to swim with the turtles.
Nicky spotted one right away and I started snapping pictures. I found a couple of star fish and started snapping photos of them too when Nicky found some more turtles. I tried to get photos of everyone swimming with the turtles, but alas, I can’t hold my breath long enough to swim down, line up the photo and snap the picture before either the turtle, the swimmers or I move. You’ll just have to trust that we were all there.I think Nicky and I could have played in the water for the rest of the afternoon but the guys were cold and had already left us to stand on the beach and try to warm up. We swam back to them and tried to get out of the water as dignified as possible but ended up being deposited at their feet, giggling like schoolgirls, with the incoming tide completely covered in sand and seaweed. We untied the dinks, turned them around and pushed them back into the water. It’s always a challenge to hop in the dink before you’re in too deep of water and keep the dang thing headed in the right direction while you’re starting the motor. Somehow we all managed and returned to our respective boats to shower off, warm up and take a couple of naps. I was surprised to see that we had been in the water for 3.5 hours and in spite of our showers, I’m still dusting the sand off.
Dinner was on MTNest tonight and the fare was “picnic”. Terri made barbeque sandwiches and coleslaw, I made pineapple casserole and Nicky made loaded baked potato skins. We finished with Rice Krispy treats. Now I ask you, what better menu could you ask for in paradise?
Tomorrow morning, I hope to squeeze in one more swim before we head out but the forecast is for more rain, so we’ll see.
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