One Monkey Lala: Catamaran Day

Woke up to a grey morning with a few blue patches. Our driver picked us up promptly at 8 am and off we headed to Oak Ridge. Hit a couple of heavy showers on the way, but just as we arrived the sun appeared. After a few introductions, the six of us were aboard and we were off. Nothing like a private catamaran day. The owners were quite happy with our group size, as they had just finished a 30 person tour the day before. Ed and Julie were wonderful hosts, with nothing but customer service on their minds. Not too far out of port we hit some good rain, where Ed got soaked at the controls. After about a hour or so, we pulled up to a mooring at a site they called Cow and Calf. We geared up and went for a snorkel. What a difference in the health of the coral life between here and where we are staying. this less visited end of the island is so pristine. I've never seen so many colors of coral, especially the dark red branch coral. Lots of different fishes as well. We lifted anchor and headed off to Port Royal harbour, where we anchored next to an old wreck. Again, lots of different fish hiding in the nooks of the rusted out wreck. Everyone got to see a couple of lionfish, one big starfish, a lizardfish, and many more. Back on the boat for another round of beer, Ed fired up the BBQ and cooked up some great chicken skewers. Dylaina and Glen went for a little swim off the bow of the boat while the crew was getting the dingys ready for a little cruise through the mangroves. Great fun. The girls enjoyed the day so much that they are talking about booking the boat for a full week next year, and just cruising some of the local islands.

We put up the sails and cruised back to Oak Ridge where our driver was waiting for us. On the way home he detoured off and showed us Pristine Bay where the new Black Pearl golf course is located. Eileen and I might still have to give that a try on our final week here after everyone else had departed.
Supper at the Noodle Shack in West End, and then a very early night. Even though the sun was only out fully for a couple of hours, some of us have a pretty good glow from it. After two weeks here, I think I just might have burnt my nose and ears.......how typical is that.