Day 2. We are hanging out at the pool. Mike comes over to tell us they have hired a boat for the following day to take them out for a little tour around some of the bays for some snorkelling, lunch on a beach somewhere and well, whatever they want to do basically. Beer is included. The boat leaves at 9 a.m. and will return at 5 p.m. Would we like to join them? Hmmmm. We were planning to go into town. But hmmm. Out on a boat full of beer with our new found friends all day? Hmmm. We don't think the town is going anywhere. Ah, ya, sign us up. I will definitely be able to get up early for this!
Our guides or drivers or whatever you want to call them asks us where we want to go and what we want to do. I believe we all have completely blank looks on our faces. Um, we're hanging out on this boat with cold beer, what else is there? I think we eventually tell him to just take us somewhere nice where we can snorkel. Or at least this is what I assume was communicated, given the destination we ended up at.
(Brent aka David Suzuki's catch)
After cruising past homes set on the hillside that belong on the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, or at least like they've been transplanted from Shaughnesy, (and trying to plot how we could become owners of one of said homes) and getting past the big factory that is clearly not in line with the Kyoto Accord, with all the pollution spewing out of it, and oh, spotting a whale breaching in and out of the water (really, i'm not making this up), we end up in this cove. According to our guide, this is the best place to snorkel in Manzanillo, with over 100 species of coral. This cove is completely private. We are the only people here. Just eight of us and this beautiful cove, surounding by high hills on three sides and just ocean, ocean, ocean on one. Our boat is anchored and we proceed to spend the next three or four hours just hanging out in this bay. It is utterly and completely surreal and there is no possible way to describe it fully. You just had to be there. Our initial purpose was to snorkel. I think we all thought we were making a quick stop for snorkelling and then we'd be on our way. So, we all do a bit of snorkelling, which is totally amazing and we see some really cool stuff. Kyndra and I, not big swimmers and not all that sure that we are going to actually do any snorkelling, hang back until the rest of the clan is out in the water. We then learn that if you wear a life jacket and just float, well, snorkelling is easy! Kyndra and I are now full on snorkelling enthusiasts! (Right Kyndra?)
(I can snorkel!!!)
Back on the boat, our guide, who just happens to be a bloodly marine biologist (again, i am not kidding) is back and forth bringing us all kinds of things to look at...starfish, sea urchins, sea snails. It's like we're on some sort of National Geographic expedition. With beer and cocktails. Yes, it's all very cool. At some point I think we all realize we're going nowhere fast, and we just kick back and let the fun take over. (note: this is wear the speedo makes its first appearance.)
(That's me - holding a starfish!)

(Dave and I - chillin' in the water)
So this is really what is so incredibly cool about this day...the just chillin' out in this bay. Just us. Nobody else around. On the boat for a drink. Into the water to cool down (well, all right, really into the water for a pee). Back on the boat for a drink. Repeat. At some point we realize we have one floatie with us and that wow - don't life jackets make great floaties too. So now just picture us...all floating around this secluded bay, blue sky above, hot sun, surrounded by hills full of cacti, sipping our drinks, not a care in the world. Time stood completely still while we played in our own private ocean. Talk about surreal. It could not have gotten any better than that. I really could live in that moment forever. If I'm ever asked to go to my "happy place" this will be it.

Eventually we leave this little paradise to seek out food. A most memorable moment occurs when, out in the open water, someone has to pee. We call to the driver to stop the boat, which he seems to do on a dime. Almost in unison we all jump up and jump ship. If only that had been caught on camera, I think we could have won a prize for it! We head towards a beach for lunch. We are all under the impression that we will have to jump into the water, getting wet and walk up to the shore. So we are busy gathering out belongings, making sure things won't get wet (I'm making sure my smokes and lighter and tightly sealed in a ziploc bag) for our big disembarkment. We're good to go, all is safe, and we are still heading to shore, finally hopping out of the boat right at at the shore line! (laughter). Our guide guides up to some tables on the beach where we proceed to have the most amazing lunch full of seafood. Most of us get fake tattoos. (When in Mexico...) We have a band playing for us for most of our lunch thanks to I'm not exactly sure who...I'm pretty sure Mike was definitely in on this, not sure who else was paying these guys to play their Mexican music right behind me while I enjoyed my lunch, but thank you. (Once again it's feeling more thank a little surreal). At some point Mike decides he must play the drums. He pays off the drummer to particpate and adds immensley to the entertainment here.
(Rhonda getting her "tattoo")
After nice long lazy lunch our bellies are stuffed and the day is coming to an end. It's time to go back to Los Hadas. There is a bit of sadness at leaving this completely perfect day behind. Upon return to the hotel, we size up the damage to the cooler. Yikes! Good thing we had a designated driver! Not wanting the day to quite end, we go directly to the pool. I'm sure the bartender, who was probably happily cleaning up and getting ready to close up, was most thrilled to see us all, as we hopped in the pool to wash off the salt water and ordered ourselves a round of drinks. (note: second speedo appearance occurs here) It was a perfect ending to our perfect day.
This was, by far, the best day of my vacation and one of the best days I have ever had - period. Thank you to Mike, Jeff, Brent, Rhonda, Kyndra, and Cindy for inviting us along. Dave and I both feel lucky to have met such good people and to have had such good times with them. Once again, here's to Hedley and here's to great new friends!
It seriously WAS the best day of the vacation...and possibly ever! Soooo much fun and many good laughs. A day that I will always remember, for sure.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for thanking us for inviting you, I don't think it would've been the same without you two, Ange. You guys fit in so well with our little group it would've seemed like someone was missing if you guys hadn't been there!
So yes, here's to Hedley, and here's to many more good times ahead!!!
ahhh....what a great story, you couldn't have had a better day and so fortunate for everyone to meet, greet and get to know one another...heres hoping you all arrange for some type or reunion..
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