Snorkelling with Turtles

Well, OK, there was 1 turtle that we followed, but that's enough for me. Her shell was about 2 feet long, and she had gorgeous markings. There were 4 or 5 of us floating over her in water less than 2m deep, while she nibbled grass and cruised around. And then she turned and swam right past me up to the surface where she stuck her head up for a gulp of air. She seemed very relaxed and not at all concerned about having humans so close. What a fabulous experience!

Actually we didn't think we'd get there today. Yesterday it rained a lot of the day with a huge thunderstorm which flooded and closed the local supermarket. So I was expecting that we'd have to defer again, but when my alarm sounded at 8.30 I was surprised by a lovely sunny day. First we stopped at a bakery near a service station south of Playa for their special economic baguette. For 15 pesos $1.20 we got a 12" baguette with ham, cheese and salami, now that's unbeatable value. And boy was it delicious - freshly-baked bread with an olive oil and garlic coating.

We headed into the jungle to collect 2 friends of Carla's mum who live in palapas, only 5 minutes off the main highway and it was wonderfully shady and cool. I tested the hammock and think that yes I could sleep very soundly rocking in one of these. Then off to Akumal Bay about 30 minutes south of Playa, where the water was aqua blue, warm and full of colourful creatures including the turtle. Apparently this is the best place to find them. We snorkelled, we drank, we ate, we slept, we swam, it was a perfect day!

This weird looking fruit is fuchsia pink on the outside with yellow spiky tips, and inside it's white with tiny seeds. It looks like chocolate chip icecream coated in pink wax! But tastes good.

On the way home I silently thanked the benevolent deity who led me to my new home. I love my life!