Snorkelling by Tortuga Island

This is the boat we used to cross from the mainland to the peninsula area where we went to the island I am standing on to take this photo.  In the background you can see one of the rocks off the island where we did our three hours of snorkelling.

This is the beach I am standing on as I took the first photo.  The sand was beautiful, and the island was basically empty of people except for our small group that came on this boat.  The island is inhabited and has one small area set aside for incoming groups of snorkellers who leave by 3:30 in the afternoon in order to make it back to the mainland before darkness,

Another look at the beach in the opposite direction.

Before heading out to snorkel, we took time out to enjoy a feast of fresh fruit after the boat ride which was an interesting trip with waves and swells making it feel like we were riding a horse.

On the island, there is a small tourist shop with a Scarlet Macaw hanging out where there is free food.  It gave Maureen a chance to get up close and personal with the beautiful bird.  They made a good pair – beautiful woman with a beautiful bird.  And I was the lucky one to record it for history.

Here is a better photo of the bird.  We saw other birds and some wildlife on the island as well including this small wild pig who had been fed too much by incoming tourists.

I wandered around for a while taking photos of the birds and scenes while waiting for the boat to head out for some snorkelling.

This pair were busy with courtship procedings and took no notice of the humans watching the performance.

And nearby, this black buzzard was keeping an eye on chickens, turkeys and a peacock who were wandering around the area, all on the look out for a free meal.

The next three hours were spent off the island as we snorkelled in two different locations.  Wow!  The colours of the fish and the sheer quantities and varieties of fish just amazed us.  Our new snorkel gear worked perfectly.  Since we brought our own gear, we ended up being the first in the water and the last out at both snorkelling locations.  Now this is a hobby worth having.  I did notice that one other guy had a case for his camera that let him take it into the water for taking pictures.  I’m going to see if I can get one for Mom’s camera for use in the future.  For now, no underwater pictures.

Once back from snorkelling, it was time to get some needed liquid into our bodies.  While quenching our thirst, we watched as this guy was busy taking the husks off of coconuts.  Little did we know at that time that we would be getting some more refreshments using the coconuts and other liquids.

While relaxing and visiting with the rest of our small group, the captain and his small crew were busy cooking us up a great meal.  Here is the finished appearance.  Not only was the meal going to taste good, it had to look good as well.  Three hours in the water makes a person very hungry indeed.

And this is our esteemed captain dishing out his masterpiece.  We enjoyed a tasty salad, beverages of choice as well as this main course.  Naturally some people needed to have second helpings of this great Costa Rican meal.

While the crew did the clean-up work, we got to do some more wandering, playing in the sea and generally enjoying the last hour on this idyllic island.

We made a few good friends while participating in the group.  Our guide, Manuel was a great young man who was definitely working hard at being a good host.  A young married couple on their honeymoon lost all track of time and ended up with interesting shades of pink and red on their bodies.

A young guy from Montreal was very nice and friendly and a good sport, even trying the trick of diving off the rocks, a feat that was repeated many times by an young American man who was visiting his father in Costa Rica.

Sometimes, it pays to go along with others for an activity rather than just going out and doing it on your own.  You get to meet interesting people and hear interesting stories.

The return trip across the strait was rougher than our outward journey.  The boat bounced quite high slamming into the big troughs between the crests of the waves.  Naturally, Maureen and I sat at the front of the boat to get the most of the action – by choice.  After all, you don’t want to miss out on anything.  And so ends another adventure in this Costa Rican paradise.