sunday funday

One of the things that was top on Steph's Barbados to-do list was swimming with the sea turtles. I had so much fun on the Jolly Roger and the catamaran cruise that it was quite the toss-up. When I found out that the Jolly Roger wasn't running that weekend, it made the decision a lot easier. We boarded the Cool Runnings around 10:00 am and started the day off right with some rum and pineapple juice.

First stop was to see Nemo's friends.

Since the serious swimming was done and we had a big buffet lunch to sustain us, we enjoyed a few more beverages...as you may be able to tell by the pictures.

And lastly, the only picture of the two of us with both of our eyes open.

I'm so happy Steph came to visit! We're not just cousins, she's one of my best friends and I'm so happy she got to share this experience with me. Love you Stephy!!

sunday sail

There was a sailing regatta in Barbados this past weekend and I pulled out all the stops trying to find a boat for my Dad and I to race on. I talked to every sailor I knew, emailed the yacht club, and even had my information forwarded to the entire yacht club roster ... but to no avail. Unfortunately, sailing season in Barbados is coming to an end and most of the yachts have been taken out of the water or have sailed on to different ports. As disappointed as we were, we still had plans to spend Sunday on the water.

We booked a catamaran cruise on Cool Runnings. Unfortunately I was a bit lazy with my camera but I snagged a few pics from my dads. It was just nice to relax, lay on the trampoline, and enjoy the sun. Surprisingly enough, I haven't had much time to just lay outside and tan, so I definitely enjoyed soaking up some rays.

This trip was similar to the Jolly Roger cruise, with a bit more relaxation involved. We stopped to swim with the turtles. There were actually quite a few more turtles at the place we stopped this time then with the Jolly Roger. They looked quite a bit younger as well. We then headed to another spot to snorkel at a ship wreck. I sat this one out and just relaxed while everyone admired the little fishies.

We then anchored in a little bay where we had a great buffet lunch: chicken, king fish, macaronie pie (obviously), salad, potato salad, rice, and bread. The baked chicken was delicious! After digesting for a little while Dad and I swam to shore to check out the beach. I beat him to the beach (he might not have known we were racing...)

 And then I decided I wanted to climb the big coral rock. Dad stood by with the camera telling me I was going to regret it the whole time, joking that he would have to get the first aid kit when we got back to the boat. He was only partially right. It did hurt like hell, coral is sharp. But no major injuries to speak of!

 Ouch. I think I'm noticing that I cut my knee at this point. And then laughing about it? Who knows.

 On top of the world.

 "Okay Dad, you can stop taking pictures now."

We swam back to the boat and I treaded water for another half hour or so talking to some people that were visiting Barbados from Greece. From one paradise to another, now that's the life.

After sailing back to shore, Dad napped for the afternoon and I read a book by the pool. I love Barbados weekends!

sea turtle release

I got a call at work today from the Barbados Sea Turtle Project. I had signed up to their calling list a few weeks ago to be notified if there was a sea turtle hatching and release. They were calling to let me know that a release of Hawksbill sea turtles was scheduled tonight at 6:00pm about 30 minutes from where I live. I checked the bus schedule and realized I would have to catch the bus at 5:00. So I left work early, ran home, changed, grabbed some leftovers, and literally ran to the bus stop. 30 minutes later and the bus still wasn't there ... I hadn't factored this into my planning, but I should have assumed the schedule was on "barbados time."

After standing for 45 minutes on the most crowded bus I have ever been on (apparently they don't have capacity laws), I ended up being 15 minutes late for the release. The baby turtles usually take their time getting to the water and can take up to an hour, but not these turtles. They were quick. So by the time I got to the beach, all 167 sea turtles had made it to the water. Needless to say, I was frustrated. But I didn't totally miss out. There were a few stragglers that kept getting washed back onto the shore so I snapped a few pictures as quickly as I could before the next wave washed them back out to sea.

 

And this last picture I got off the Sea Turtle Project's website, all of the turtles heading for the water. I'm sad I missed the release but I'm still happy I went. I was told that there would be more releases in July on the South coast (way closer to me) so I will hopefully have another chance!

arrrrrr.

It seems like forever ago that my mom was here. She left a week ago today. Unfortunately my wifi has been really unreliable, hence the delay in sharing the rest of our adventures. I am now camping out by the pool, hooked up to my landlords wifi. Hopefully I can get this post done before it rains!

My mom's parents came to Barbados about 30 years ago. They went on the Jolly Roger, a pirate ship that cruises just off shore, and the story goes that my Pip had a few too many rum punches. After hearing about Pip doing a backdive off the plank, pantsing his friend and making my Mim cry, my mom decided it was a must when she came to visit! So Sunday morning we were picked up and brought into Bridgetown to cast away on the Jolly Roger. We boarded the boat and set sail. Two rum punches deep at this point we were loving life as they played the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song.

Our first stop was in Carlisle Bay to snorkel at a ship wreck. We walked the plank and dove in. Neither of us being very graceful. We avoided doing backdives off the plank, but there were some brave souls that got adventurous. We then spent a while swimming with the fishies before heading to our next destination.

We had a buffet lunch on board. We had steak and tuna along with macaroni pie, salad, rice, garlic bread and more rum. They then sent us out in style to swim with the turtles. This was a blast.

But the best part of the day was definitely swimming with the turtles. I can't describe it. Finding Nemo did a great job of portraying them, Duuudddddeeeee! They were so cool!

After our swim it was time to cruise back to shore. We had a dance party on deck and enjoyed the rest of our sail. It was a great day! Arrrrrr.