Under the Sea – St. Thomas Style – September 11, 2014

Our Water Aerobics instructor must have read my blog yesterday because today she worked us much harder.  She had us jumping around and working out on the steps like she was making up for the soft session yesterday.

Instructor is in black suit looking like Darth Vader

We had a 1 pm appointment to go snorkeling on the catamaran so after drying off and some lunch, we headed over to the Reef’s dock to board the ship.  With Jim’s current knee problem, walking over there turned out to be a slow process for him.  This entire resort is built on the side of the mountain and walking is a challenge to even the strongest legs and knees.

Captain Joe and his crew Matt and Calley got us underway with no problems and off we went on the “barefoot” (no shoes allowed) Cat.

We sailed about an hour and reached  Butler Island where the green turtles like to hang out.  There is also a very cool reef home to many tropical looking fish.  We were  fitted with fins, masks, snorkels, and all important life vests

MG getting ready to go in water, she is sitting on a stuffed turtle.

These were perfect because you could put as much air in as you felt you needed for your size and skill level.  Lanny, Jim, and I went into the water and Faye took the pictures from onboard.  Green turtles stay underwater but need to fill their lungs with oxygen every 8 to 10 minutes so they come to the surface take in some air and return to their underwater activity.  We were cautioned not to interfere with that process because we would be responsible for the drowning of a green turtle.  The water was crystal clear and visibility was awesome.  We saw Tory, the fish from Finding Nemo-type fish, parrot fish, and the list was endless.  We even saw a barracuda!  Jim and I have done this type of trip before and I have to say this was the best and safest we have ever taken.

Lanny and Jim stayed in the water longer than me, but they are both better in the water than me as well.  Once back on board there was the punch and snacks, music and usual chatter.  It turned out that I was sitting next to a man who lives in Alta Loma, where our oldest daughter and her family live.  We started exchanging Vacation Club recommendations and just had a great return trip.  On the way back, Captain Joe gave us an option of a temporary CAT tattoo which I took, even though none of my travelling buddies wanted one.  CHICKEN!View of the resort from the boat as we returned to shore.

We were tired when we got back to the room so we decided to not even change out of our swim suits and just go down to the Sunset Grill by the pool and eat there.  Faye had had a grilled veggie sandwich on Monday for lunch and that sounded perfect to me.

After dinner there were four exhausted old people dragging back to their room looking for showers and beds as soon as possible.  What a fun day!