7-23-09 Cancun Day 3 from balcony
Friends:
Today was another amazing day in paraiso. We went sailing on a catamaran operated by Samba to Isla Mujeres, an island just off the tip of Cancun.
7-23-09 Dianne on board the Antares 52 catamaran
We sat at the front of the catamaran on a big net. The Mexican Caribbean water is crystal clear. It is like sailing over a big pool. You can see straight down to the bottom. Here is Eliana, staring into the gorgeous water.
7-23-09 Eliana at the front of the catamaran, looking down
The crew was so much fun. The boat played fun music and served us unlimited drinks the entire cruise. We sang, danced, and enjoyed the balmy breeze.
7-23-09 Antares crew member, "Barracuda"
Our first stop was snorkeling in the open sea. We donned our snorkeling gear and jumped off the back of the boat into the amazing water.
7-23-09 Eliana & Soleil Snorkeling in the Open Sea
We brought our own snorkeling gear although the company provides you with a snorkel you can keep (not the mask, just the snorkel).
7-23-09 Eliana under the sea, like a mermaid
We took a lot of pictures with our underwater cameras.
7-23-09 School under the sea
There was just so much to see, under the sea!
7-23-09 Fish dart in and out of the coral reef
After our underwater adventure, we headed to shore.
7-23-09 Isla Mujeres
We went to Isla Mujeres for a visit with a shark, lunch and a dip at the beach. We pet a female sand shark. She didn’t feel like I expected. On her top, she felt rough, like sandpaper. On the bottom, she was soft. I even held “Monica!”
7-23-09 Dianne holds a shark!
Eliana was afraid at first. But then she relaxed when she saw that we were all going to hold the shark.
7-23-09 The family holding the shark
Soleil was the bravest of us all – she kissed the shark! Unbelievable!
7-23-09 Soleil kisses a shark!
After petting the shark, we had lunch at a beachside restaurant. I just adore seaside dining! Look at this view!
7-23-09 Seaside Dining
When we finished eating, Eliana and I took a dip in the tantalizing turquoise waters.
09 Dianne & Eliana in the crystal Caribbean, Isla Mujeres
After lunch, we boarded the boat and headed to El Centro, downtown Isla Mujeres. We did quite a bit of shopping. We even bought a hammock for our patio so we can relax and remember our wonderful time in Cancun.
7-23-09 Beach Club Restaurant, Isla Mujeres
On our way back to Cancun, the Antares crew had a surprise for us. If we chose, we could swing on a spinnaker from the front of the boat. A spinnaker is a swing attached to a sail that billows in the wind, carrying the person high into the air. Only strong swimmers were permitted to do this activity because you had to swim with no life jacket. Of course, I had to do it. When I jumped off the swing, I did a butt flop into the water. Everyone on the boat laughed. It was such a cool experience!
7-23-09 Dianne on the spinnaker
I look forward to my next adventure in these beautiful Mayan lands!
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
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