We decided to be adventurous and set out in two, two-person Kayaks to go around the island. Can't be that big, right? At first we were heading into the wind to get around the first tip. All the islands here were formed by ancient volcanoes so even the smallest island is steep black rock with rich green growth. The water has eroded the rock in pillars and holes over time. Got around the first point and thought the next one must be the second corner, half way around. We were right, the island is small and we made it around in just over an hour. The water was crystal clear and although there were big rocks from the cliffs wearing away over time, it was never more than about 15 feet deep. When we got close to the rocks hundreds of little black crabs would go running away as if we were coming to eat them. Just after the second point the water calmed down as we were between islands and now going with the wind. We saw the two little black and white pigme goats standing on the side of a hill again. As we came about 2/3 around, there was a long and gorgeous beach that we stopped to play on. The sand was great and water completely calm there but in the water was all smaller rocks and we didn't have shoes. There was a deserted cabin and washed up boat with coconuts that had fallen from the tree. Back in the kayaks and toward home, just as we were coming around the last bend and nearing the beach, a fish jumped into our boat and got stuck next to Thomas' leg! It was thrashing around until I realized what it was and scooped it back into the water with my paddle. It was about 10 inches long and very strong! That was great morning exercise for a family adventure.
Pool time and lunch, then back to the cabin for school work as the boys are missing a few weeks. That gives them time to reapply the sunscreen and have it soak in before heading back to the pool, after getting ice cream on the way :) Kyle got one of the staff to use a machete and open a coconut for him to drink coconut water. After watching "Survivor" he thought that was pretty cool.
This afternoon the boys took a 'learn to scuba' class in the pool for kids 8 and up and they loved it. Breathing under water seemed natural for them and they were in there for almost 2 hours! The instructor was great and they played underwater X's and O's, hockey and keeping a ping pong ball under with a spoon. They got to go down to 2M at the deepest part of the pool to learn to clear their ears and equalize pressure. It was great to see them enjoying it - Jeff and I are both certified and perhaps one day we can dive as a family.
We got to Skype with my mom and dad before dinner, very cool to hear their voices and see them on the screen in real time. It was a bit frustrating with about a 5 second delay in the sound but still good to share some goings on.
After dinner tonight the sky opened and it really rained - lightening, thunder and everything. It let up just enough to get back to the cabin and came down hard again. Not such a big deal at 30 degrees but everything does get wet and the 'dining hall' has no walls so the staff were moving everything and letting awnings down to keep the rain out. They were all soaked but dinner went on and the food was great.
No comments:
Post a Comment