Sandstorms and Snorkeling at Shipwreck!

Yesterday was a sunny, sandy, snorkel-y day at Shipwreck beach!  Trevor, Candice, Vanessa, Jessica, and I all headed to the beach at about noon (Rob, Brayton, Kate, and Leann came later, after the Microanatomy study session). It was a real nice beach day, sun shining, super clear water- perfect for snorkeling!

Candice and I snorkeled a bit right off the beach and saw some real cool fish and reef balls- concrete balls sunk to create artificial reefs. The reef balls looked pretty new, not to many fish or corals had moved in yet. I can't wait to see how it changes over the next two years.

Shipwreck Beach.

Later in the afternoon Rob, Trevor, Kate, Leann, and Brayton walked to the end of the beach to go snorkeling around some big rocks. They were gone for quite awhile, and they missed what was the closest thing to a sandstorm I've seen since leaving Egypt! It was REALLY windy at the beach, it was blowing so hard the sand hurt when it hit you. It went on for about 20-30 min, with varying levels of wind-speed. By the time it was over I was covered with sand... I looked like a breaded cutlet! I still have sand in my ears.

The non-snorkelers- Candice, Vanessa, Jessica and I decided to go find our fishy friends. We followed their path to the end of the beach, discovering a really calm, clear cove- with a nearly complete restaurant (allegedly opening next month- I hope it's good). At the edge of the cove there was a rocky outcropping with a murky lagoon on the opposite side. We didn't see the snorkelers at first, but eventually we saw them swimming back our way.

Kate and her awesome conch shell

Kate had found a HUGE, beautiful, orange and pink Queen Conch shell. Rob also found a conch shell, but it was smaller and pretty bleached out.  Rob did get some really great snorkeling photos- so, if the vet thing doesn't work out, he clearly has a future in underwater photography. (I kid, I kid! We all know he is going to kick butt in school!) He saw a sea slug (he thinks), squid, and a Lion fish.  Seeing the lion fish is interesting because they are not native to the Atlantic or Caribbean; they are an invasive species and they are harming the local marine ecosystem. Rob's classmate Alyssa said they people are allowed to KOS (kill on site), but I don't know if that is true. Plus, lion fish have nasty venomous spines... so, I not sure I am interested in fighting one to the death!

Sea Slug (we think)

Lion Fish

We all stopped to get dinner at Pizza Boys, one of the local pizza joints. Verdict? Meh. As anyone who has met me knows, I am something of a pizza snob. It was better than Egypt, but not as good as back home. Oh well...

Rob and I stayed in last night so he could get some more studying in before his big test Monday.  We went to bed around midnight, and at 7 this morning Rob had me awake. For the first time in over 5 years, the first time since we have been together, Rob was sick. My poor hubs was so dizzy he could barely stand, and when he did try to stand, the dizziness was so bad it made him sick-physically sick. Rob said it felt like the world's worst hang over... which is unfortunate considering he didn't have any alcohol yesterday. Rob has been in and out of bed all day, all while trying to study without the room spinning. He is now attempting to study with Brayton downstairs in the study room. I was not pleased since he was swaying down the steps. Oh well, Mr. Stubborn Pants does whatever he wants. I just hope he's better by 10am tomorrow when his test begins.

If you would like to see the rest of our pictures from yesterday, click here!