Blogs from Aruba, Central America Caribbean - page 4

It’s our elder daughter Heather’s 8thwedding anniversary with Dario, so we had to sing our usual song and send it by WhatsApp after taking our breakfast outside on that amazing patio. Then it was off to Mangel Halto for a drift snorkel of just under 2 hours. Yes, we saw the usual amazing variety of corals, hard and soft, and so many fish, including an Ocean Triggerfish, which is only at the edge before the shelf drops off into the deep. And a big thick green Moray (no photo). I would say the most amazing thing is the variety of neon blue fish: the tangs on parade, blue spotted baby damselfish, blue chromis, and creole wrasses. Lots of types of parrotfish – you can hear them crunching on the coral when it’s not too deep. We ... read more

At last we got to worship at the New Life Tabernacle again – only to find that it is their very last time to be at this place – or any one central place. They are decentralizing in order to do more intensive outreach to needy areas,, starting in the “rougher” city of San Nicolas, and do continue establishing small groups called “life houses.” It was good to see some familiar faces and to worship so powerfully. After a quick shop and light lunch, we were off for our final (maybe) snorkel at Boca Catalina. Late afternoon is so calm and gentle, but the light is not the best for photographing the fish. Still we found a LIONFISH – which actually no one really wants to find because it’s invasive and eats the local fish eggs. ... read more

Another lovely day, less cloudy perhaps than some others, and more windy. High 80s? But our car said 96. We did not try for an early morning turtle safari, and arrived at Arashi (the most northern beach) around 9:15. The current was strong so I didn’t go out any further than the elkhorn corals. Now that the white buoy has been added, it helps us know which way to aim, at least. Uh oh – there’s a turtle! So off goes Aquaman, leaving me behind. I just hung around the corals, occasionally looking up to see that David had gone all the way to the buoy. He admitted it was a good swim back to me but his video is magnificent – that turtle was one laid back dude. After showering, we were off to try ... read more

Every other day we try to do a morning swim with the turtles. Having heard a tip about getting in slightly not as far as Boca Catalina at “Three Steps,” we got into the water by 8:15 again, finding the turtle grass closer in than our usual entrance. Saw 8 turtles, mostly big ones. But even more fun was (sorry, Robin) TWO band-tailed searobins digging into the sand in search of breakfast. We saw our first squadron of squid, and they were no more than 1” long – like tiny bandaids swimming through the vast ocean. After 1-3/4 hours we treated ourselves to another Dutch pancake – this time with gouda, apple slices and walnuts, split. Our friendly waitresses greeted us warmly. No time to stop home, we wanted to find the elusive Barcadero Beach, where ... read more

Monday already? Time to hit the ocean to see turtles before the Jolly Roger type boats arrive. When we arrived at Boca Catalina at 8:15, there was just one local bouncing gently in the sandy entrance – Edwin – we recognized him for many visits and chatted briefly. Just 3 turtles this time before we headed into shallower waters. We spent another 1.5 hours in watery bliss meeting old friends and taking photos for you. Still hunting for the elusive octopus but found 2 more eels, which are always fun, and a lovely large Blue-spotted Cornetfish. David spied a peacock flounder scooting across the bottom, adapting his colors accordingly. After downloading lots of snorkeling suggestions to a family from New York, we headed off to Linda’s for the absolutely best Dutch pancakes and made pigs of ... read more