We didn’t have anything planned until our 3:00 Jolly Pirate excursion so after breakfast we grabbed our books and towels and set up shop poolside. We noticed the iguanas were on parol. Even though I’ve never heard of a person getting attacked by one, I like to keeo my eye on them. I’ve been close enough to them to know that they have some serious claws! And then, after seeing a little, bright green on scamper up to a bigger one, jump on it’s back and BITE it, I have a healthy respect for their speed, agility, and aggression.
We jumped on the bus to the Moomba Bar where the Jolly Pirates shop is located, signed our release waiver, and waited. We’re on island time, baby! So we waited and waited. We watched the Opening Ceremonies for the World Cup on huge plasma tvs hanging from poles around the outdoor bar. There was no sound coming from the tvs as we watched the Black Eyed Peas hopping around the stage. Bob Marley tunes oozing out the huge black speakers. Needless to say, an odd combination.
We finally boarded the little ferry boat that would take us to the sailboat. I have no idea what the maximum capacity is for one of those little boats but I am positive we exceeded the limit. We got to know the other boarders pretty well as we all smashed together side by side, knees to knees across from each other. We all giggled and joked as we transferred boats. Once everyone had found a place to call there own for the next several hours we were informed of the few rules, the sails were unfurled, and the bar opened. The party had begun!
We chatted with the group of girls that had been a part of a dance troupe in college, the couple from NYC that had just gotten engage a few days earlier, the family from Chicago with the hyper-vigilant dad. And then we got to our first stop: a different part of Arashi Beach for snorkeling. We enjoyed brightly colored fish in shallow water. I was hoping to see turtles like we experienced in Barbados but no luck. I was even more bummed that we didn’t see the jellyfish and eel! Second stop was to see the German shipwreck, Antilla. The sea was choppy and the current extremely strong. It took some muscles to stay in one spot and not crash into another snorkeler. It was an amazing sight, to see this huge looming ship below us, and slightly creepy at the same time! It seemed we didn’t have enough time there! But our last stop was the rope swing. We found a calm cove in which to anchor the boat. When I got to rope and looked down I realized how high we were above the water! As I waited for the person in front of me to clear the area I took a quick glance around, taking in the azure ocean and cloudless sky. It was paradise. Before I knew it the guy holding the rope in place for me gave me a gentle nudge and there I went! I let go of the rope and hurtled into the sea. Ai-yi-yi!!! Of course, Mike was more showy and managed to do some flips when he got his turns. But nothing compared to one of the crew who could dive like an Olympian. And then he would piggyback girls and do flips into the water with them. This trip would have been worth every penny had we actually paid for it!
We were starving by the time we were done with our pirate-y fun and a gourmet-type pizza sounded like a good idea. We found Casa Tua and it was a hit! Mike and I shared a half and half pizza: One Happy Island loaded with tomato, mozzarella, gouda, shrimp, pesto, and lettuce and the San Danielle with tomato, spinach, feta, pancetta, and mozzarella, all on a thin, crispy crust. It was a delicious meal with a host that looked like a younger Richard Gere and a waiter that was a dead ringer for Antonio Banderas. Rats, I should have gotten a picture! We ended the day with another leisurely soak in the hot tub…..
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