Snorkeling in Grenada

 

We were in St. George, Granada which is breathtakingly beautiful.  I should preface this by saying that as a child, I happily snorkeled down the Ichetuknee, which is a completely clear fresh water river.  Unfortunately, when it comes to salt water, my track record is 0 for 3.  Reason #1: You can’t see very far and therefore will not have enough time to escape should any shark try to eat you.  Reason #2: Things grow bigger than you do.  For instance, sharks.  Reason #3:  Sharks.  On all occasions I have been in and out of the water in less than three minutes! 

First, we got onto a speedboat and zoomed out onto the open water.  Note to self: You are no longer allowed to watch horrifying programs about speed-boat accidents due to the gripping terror you feel in such a vehicle.  

The speedboat itself was really neat!  We straddled the seats as if we were riding horses. When we bounced relentlessly across the waves it even felt the same as riding a horse.  My leg muscles grew sore as I struggled to save my poor rump from the seats that were sadly not quite as comfortable as a saddle.  Fortunately, we arrived in one piece at our snorkeling destination!  Hooray! 

Due to our guide’s insistence that nothing in this protected cove was going to eat me, I donned my flippers and my scuba mask and slid from the side of the boat into one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had in the water.  The fish were not bigger than I was, there were no sharks, and I could see very clearly because the water was gorgeous and crystalline.  Unfortunately, I had no underwater camera, and neither did anyone else on the tour, so the best memories will have to live solely in my head, but here is a picture of us above the water.

There were many bright fish and coral see.  We couldn’t get near enough to the fish to touch them, but it was fun to try.  There were also statues planted under the water to coax coral growth.  We took a guided tour through the waves, and I only drank a few mouthfuls of seawater.  Yuck!  I also think I had my mask on too tight as the impression remained in my forehead until the next morning.  Hopefully no one at our show that night noticed!  Ha!  

We finally swam back to the boat and returned our gear.  Then we sped off along the island slowing only when we pulled into various coves to see the buildings or forts.  The prison on the island has the best view out of any other place, and there were about six forts.  Anytime anyone took the island over, they built another fort where they had managed to sneak in and attack.  It was very interesting, but very hot!  

 

 When the tour was finished, it was apparently time to do donuts.  I white-knuckled my way through them, and fortunately, survived.