Day 10 - Caye Caulker - snorkeling

LISA AND GREG: First thing this morning we headed out to choose a snorkeling tour for the day. Our first stop was Carlos Tours, which was strongly recommended by our travel guide. However, when we got there a sign informed us that they were already booked for the day. Luckily Carlos drove up on his golf cart (there are no cars on Caye Caulker) and told us he'd add us on to the day's tour if we wanted to go. It was a full-day tour and initially we had planned to only do a half-day, but it sounded so cool that we decided to go for it.

Carlos (along with his partner) took the ten of us on his motor boat to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve which encompasses part of the world's second longest barrier reef--180 miles. The ride took about 15 minutes. There he anchored the boat and after putting on our snorkeling gear we jumped in the water. At first we only saw sea grass but soon he led us to different areas where we saw many different types of coral, fish and other sea life. Obviously we couldn't take our camera under water but fortunately for us (and for him since he charges for the pictures) he brought along a great underwater camera and took some amazing pictures. Here is some of what we saw:





We stopped at another island, San Pedro, for lunch and then continued on to 2 more snorkeling spots.

LISA: We saw tons of marine life, but for me the two most magical ones where the sea turtles and manatees. I've wanted to see a turtle for so long and I knew it was a possibility today. I have been praying for this a very long time. So there we were in the water and since I am not a very strong swimmer I was always way behind the others (except for Greg who was always trying to keep on eye on me). Then there it came, a sea turtle. It swam so close to me. I was completely overwhelmed with its grace and beauty. I learned that it's very hard to feel so moved when you are trying to keep a breathing tube in your mouth. It took a lot of self control not to follow the turtle and follow our group instead. I know that I will never forget this moment.



LISA: Although I never really thought much about manatees, it was awesome to see them in the water. It's pretty rare to actually see them on a snorkeling tour, but there we were swimming when a manatee came by. We got a really close look at it and I felt like I could just reach out and hug it. Again, I was struck by its beauty and when I saw it, I realized that I had found another favorite animal. Throughout the snorkeling tour, but especially when I saw the turtles and manatees, all I could do was marvel at all the beauty God has created and be grateful for it.


GREG: But that wasn't it. We still had one more eye-popping experience to go. Carlos said it would be highly unlikely to see this creature in the Caribbean, because it usually is found in more northerly climates. But we got lucky again, and got an up-close look at the Squintidium dorcidus, better known, of course, as the Squinty-eyed North Carolina Dorkfish. Here's Lisa with one:


LISA AND GREG: We've now seen and done everything we'd hoped to see and do (and more) on this trip, so from here on, it's just icing on the cake -- speaking of which, it's dinner time.