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Published: December 25th 2014
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We head out early about 8:30 am with Sonny and Leo from Ocean Motion Tours - desination Ranguana Private Island just over an hour from Placencia by boat. It is a stellar day, hot, sunny and calm, can't get any better. We pick up two other couples from Ontario and off we go. About 15 minutes into the trip we spot a pod of dolphins, bottlenose and spotted. We slow down and they play alongside the boat for a few minutes. Seeing dolphins is a sign of luck we are told, cool.
After about another hour we arrive at Ranguana Island. It is postcard beautiful, just gorgeous. White sandy beaches, palm trees, pelicans. There is one family living there caretaking the place. There are a few simple cabins where you can stay the night, we are just there for the day. The family also has a small restaurant where you can buy drinks or some limited food items.
After a few minutes of exploring the island, we all get our snorkeling gear on. I am much more comfortable with this idea now. This time we sit on the sandy shore and gear up, then we all head out. It
is very shallow and we head straight out to the reef. I still make Ian hold my hand, I might have one snorkel trip under my belt but far from considering myself a professional. The only thing that freaks me out is how close the coral comes to the top of water that we have to swim over, otherwise I feel like I have things under control. This time we see some really cool blue, yellow and turquoise color fish, we also spot an eagle ray and a large baracuda. Sonny dives down and picks up a tiny squid, then an ocean pearl - also cool. I can feel the motion of the waves and see the swaying of the some of the underwater plants and start feeling just a little queasy. After about 40 minutes, I am relieved when Sonny says we are heading back to the shore.
We have to stand up in the shallow water and walk backwards to the shore in our flippers, ok so this is a bit of a challenge. We make it to the shore and then Ian is helping me up the bank where the tree roots are, when we hear
a large ripping noise. Oh oh, it's Ian's shorts and they've just ripped entirely across the crotch area. Not a little tear - a huge rip, like Ian is now wearing completely crotchless shorts. I know some of our fellow travellers also heard the tear. We quickly head for the picnic table where our bag and towels are and he immediately wraps up in a towel. Ok, what to do now since he didn't bring any spare shorts. We survey our supplies, I brought an extra bathing suit with an attached skirt and a pair of jean shorts, those won't help. Hmmm. The only thing we can think of is for me to take off the bathing suit I am wearing, change into my spare and give Ian my current bottoms, ok that's the plan. We head into the shower area and make the switch. Lucky my bottoms are pretty stretchy. After trying to figure out which way my bottoms fit him the best he puts his ripped shorts over top, they still have a massive tear but at least his goodies are not hanging out. Kind of like wearing a speedo under his shorts he says, I'm laughing as
he is having no choice but to get a little more in touch with his feminine side. Never thought I'd see the day!
Mostly, Ian sits around wrapped in a towel as we eat the bbq chicken lunch that Sonny and Leo have prepared, we are playing it cool so not to bring attention to our crisis at hand.
Lunch is really good, coleslaw, potato salad, roasted potatoes and chicken. We are all very hungry having worked up a good appetite snorkelling.
After lunch, some of us opt to stay on the beach while others, including Ian, head back out snorkeling. I thought it would be more fun for Ian not having to drag me along for a change. Leo takes them out to some deeper water by boat for the afternoon snorkel trip. After a little snorkel session, Sonny tells Ian he can head up first on the ladder to get back in the boat, um, Ian declines as he wants to wait and go last or the others might get a view that they didn't really bargain for.
We pack up and head back, Ian can't wait to get back to the condo so
he can change back into all men's clothes, me trying to keep a straight face. Next time I'm sure he will bring some spare clothes. Torn shorts aside, it was still just a great day and all in all, a Christmas Eve day will never forget. I usually only post a pictures but there's a few more below this blog, you can scroll down to see.
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Gerry and Betty Beaudoin
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Christmas eve on ranguana island
Always an adventure with you guys! It was fun imagining Ian getting in touch with his feminine side while hoping no one else would notice! Don't worry Ian, you are still The Man. You always keep us entertained Cheryl with your writing. Gerry and I are living separate lives this week, he at his family and I at mine