Saturday morning, we headed out about 5:30 am to drive south to Uvita for our whale watching and snorkeling excursion. After we checked in and drove to the parking near the take off point and beach, our guide pointed out this cayman in the creek running behind the car park. If you zoom in, you can make out its head poking out from the bank.
Uvita beach
Ready to start our adventure.
They use John Deere tractors to put the boats in the water.
Side story: The wake was high this morning. To board, we have to wade out and climb on the boat in the shallow water because that is the easiest way. The guides teach how you have to go with the flow of the boat, so you don't end up knocked under the boat. Our guide told us all the young people will get on first to help add weight to the boat and hopefully make it easier for our parents to board. Clark's mom came first. The wake was strong, and she had a hard time getting her leg high enough AND have the strength to step up into the boat because the boat step is about waist high.
The next thing we knew, she had toppled right over. It was a little scary because the boat could be lifted by the wake and land on top of her. The guides were shielding her body from the boat by standing between and one guide was trying to help mom back on her feet. I was so grateful they made all of us put on life vests because if you get knocked down, you end up floating even though the water is shallow.
While the guide was helping Carolyn, Ronnie (Clark's dad) came up behind and he ended up toppling over. After that it was like watching bowling pins. Everything went in slow motion. Next my mom went over and then my dad. At this point, our concern for Carolyn had turned to laughter from watching all our parents topple over like babies and float around face up in the shallow wake. All the while, the boat is bobbing around like bath toy. Thank God they were all laughing too, having a fun time, because it could have been a bad start to the day without their optimism and sense of humor. My mom powered through and beat Carolyn onto the boat. Then Ronnie and Carolyn and my dad last. We were ready!
Once we approached the island, the water had this beautiful dark blue-green hue.
Our main guide, Gordy (Jor-dee).
The water is so clear. The visibility was maybe 20-30 feet? Those are rocks and reef on the bottom. It looks shallow but its not.
Wow!!
The guide wanted to know who would be snorkeling, who would float on the boat during snorkeling, and who wanted to get out to wait on Isla Cano (Kah-nyoh). Joe, our brother-in-law, wanted to go on the island because he doesn't care for guided snorkel tours. He prefers snorkeling from a beach at his leisure. Here, no one was snorkeling off the beach. I'm not sure its allowed since Cano is a protected refuge. Ronnie and Carolyn had new masks, the one pieces, and after we all had hopped out, I guess their masks were malfunctioning. They tried to use the normal style masks the guides provided, but by then they had been on the boat with the current and it made them nauseous and seasick. Oh no! After our first stint of snorkeling, maybe an hour? We were dropped off on the island for a break, to use the bathroom, and hike up to the lookout point.
Which view is better? The beach or my girly?
Fantastic!! The colors!
This definitely was the best water we had seen in Costa Rica so far.
Clark's sister Michelle and my mom behind. For our second round of snorkeling, Clark's parents opted to rest on the island with Joe. The water's visibility was decreasing as the morning progressed. Our guide Gordy with Audrie, had seen a white tipped shark on the first snorkel and he was determined to find another. They swim very fast and are shy so when they see people in the water they swim away. Anyways, Gordy was swimming FAST. That affected our experience a bit. Clark gave up and went off on his own. Michelle and my parents eventually got tired and climbed back in the boat. All in all, saw some sizeable puffer fish, a few sea turtles (so cool), and numerous other ocean fish; I think they saw a good-sized red snapper. We also didn't do a great job on our sunscreen. We overlooked getting enough on the backs of our legs and arms. Oops. There were a few ranges of burns. I think the worst was Joe's head. He got burned the day before while fishing and he had some pretty gnarly blisters.
Audrie
The water shifts colors depending on the sun and our position.
Joe, Ronnie, Michael and the guides.
Headed back to Uvita.
When we got back to the beach, the tour company had set up a yummy lunch of arroz con pollo, pico de gallo, chips, and fruit (pina and watermelon). My dad went on and on about how great the excursion was, the excellent price, and the amenities provided. My parents frequently cruise in the Carribean and he said the cost of the excursion was a great value compared to Carribean excursions. I'm glad everyone had a great time!
Later, we hunted and gathered at this restaurant between Manuel Antonio and Quepos called Vista Verde, eating above the sea again. The burgers were gigantic.
Craig has declared this his favorite sandwich of our entire trip: Cuban.
Ceviche (of course...a must have by the ocean)
Pasta con Pollo y Hongo (mushroom). For some reason, Ticos only use canned mushrooms.
Fish with passion fruit sauce
Another amazing burger
Chicken wings. They always serve the sauce on the side.
Craig clowning around after dinner.
Behind is, the cliff drops off to the sea but its dark so you can't see the view. We are so blessed our families came to explore with us and we can share a beautiful country with them.
Near our parked car, the kids found this dying moth.
It is larger than it looks in the pictures.
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