April 6, 2000

We reached la playa about 10:00 or so, and made ourselves comfortable on some beach chairs. We all tried boogie boarding, and just had a blast! We laughed and got rolled, and laughed and got rocked! But when you DO catch that wave....what a ride!

Lunch was Rollo del Mar, Camarones Agra Dulce (breaded shrimp in pineapple sauce) and Sopa de Marisco (seafood soup - shrimp, octopus, dorado, oysters etc.) And a Corona or two.

Then it was time to snorkel! This was one of our main attractions when planning our trip. There is a coral reef with sparkling aqua water. The first fish I saw was yellow and black striped. Then I saw a ray of some description - two eyes looking up at me, as it flapped away. Lots of other fish of various colors and descriptions.

One of the most important things Bob had been saying all morning was "Whatever you do, Don't Touch the Coral". So, as I'm kicking my flippers along on my way back to shore, all of a sudden the coral just seemed too close. I didn't want to touch it, so I looked above water to see how far away I was from the beach. All of a sudden a swell seemed to get hold of me, and push me up onto the reef! Then there was no clear water, only coral, and I was being rolled along on top of it. I couldn't seem to get off, and I was trying to make myself as flat as possible above the reef, hoping to be able to swim back to the water. It seemed like I was in about an inch of water over top of the reef, and I was being pushed in the wrong direction. I stood up, or tried to. I knew I was standing on it, but even then I couldn't get back to the deeper water. The dumb flippers weren't helping in my efforts, so I took them off, but I just couldn't seem to negotiate my direction and kept getting rolled along. Of course the coral was slicing me up as I was going, and I was beginning to become a little frighened. Finally I saw some blue water, and as I was about to step off I saw a little black spiny sea urchin on the ledge where I was going to step. I sure as hell didn't want to step on him, so I launched myself into the blue and made my way back to shore. There I nursed my shredded ankles and knees and wrists, and silently apologized to the generations of coral I had single-handedly wiped out.

Victor then led us to a short visit to Boca de Iguanas. What a beautiful beach this is too! And NOBODY there. For miles.....not a soul. There is a campground there. Palm trees, water, sewer and electricity for 250 pesos a month. Some day, we will find a spare month and come down here again. Then a short stop at Cuastocomates. We were travelling with Wolfgang and Maryanne from Smithers, BC and they wanted to check out the Royal Costa Hotel. All-inclusive, swim-up bar, just beautiful. I think they said it was 400 pesos (all inclusive) at this time of year, but I could be wrong.

We went to supper back at Pedros again tonight. We ran into Victor (our guide) and he gave Bob a recipe for a sunburn. The water from one coconut, rubbing alcohol and corn starch. So Bob is whipping some up to try.