They had told us on the first day that the itinerary was
subject to “wind, weather, whales and whim”, and this time the conditions were
right to visit Isola Monserrat, which wasn’t usually on the itinerary. Early-morning treats included a pod of
dolphins and a school of grebes.
My complimentary massage was scheduled with Niko at 9
AM. I’d had massages but never with
masseur, just a masseuse. Well,
vacations are opportunities to try new things.
Niko was also the most over-qualified massage practitioner I’d ever had;
he’d studied Physics in France. Despite
the strenuous activities the day before. I was surprisingly not aching anywhere
(thank you, Planet Fitness). The massage
was very relaxing; the scalp massages made me wonder if they might have helped
when I got migraines in my 30s. I’d
planned to use the fitness machines before my 11:15 snorkeling trip but decided
not to work my mellowed-out muscles so soon.
My main concern about the snorkeling trip I’d chosen was the
cold water and, even with a wet suit, I was COLD. It goes with the territory when you have low
body fat. I tried to channel my inner
Jacques Cousteau- he’d been lean, had undoubtedly endured colder waters for
longer intervals than this, and had died- what- in his 80s?- probably with his
swim fins on.
It was well worth it.
I saw multiple beautiful fish including a balloon puffer fish, Panamic
sergeant major, Cortez rainbow wrasse, king angelfish, Cortez angelfish,
beaubrummel and (I think) goldenjack, many variety of coral and two types of
sea stars (possibly tan sea star and channeled sea star). I learned to slow down and linger over an
area, looking closely for smaller critters and those well-camouflaged. We were in the water 45 minutes and arrived
back just in time for lunch. That
sounded good but I realized that a shower or a dip in the hot tub would have
helped take off the chill. I had hot
coffee with dinner, followed it up with herbal tea in the lounge, then sat
outside and baked in the sun for awhile. Sarah took these pictures with her underwater camera but I saw the same species; you can see why I squeezed into a wet suit and braved the cold water.
After lunch I’d planned to work out but realized my iPod
Shuffle was dead, so I plugged it in to recharge. Good timing- the crew sighted a pod of
dolphins, closer to the boat than any we’d seen previously, as well as a
juvenile sea lion. Then, the bonus- a
blue-footed booby flying overhead. I’d
always joked that I wanted to see one before I left this earth. I think I still want to go to the Galapagos
next year! With my iPod recharged, I
worked up a good sweat listening to classic rock music and using the exercise
equipment on deck. I laughed out loud
when the playlist turned up Huey Lewis’ “Working for a Living”. (“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t,
supposed to get a raise next week you know damned well I won’t… takin’ what
they’re givin; ‘cause I’m workin’ for a livin’”.) I laughed out loud at the realization that
the place I’d left at age 61 due to toxic politics was full of people in their
cubicles tapping on computers, and followed it up with a punk rock version of
“Laudate Dominum” by a group called “Helloween”. After a much-needed shower and a change of
clothes, I headed for the lounge for some water and then joined a stretch
class.
Another unscheduled appearance- just as diner was about to
start the crew spotted a whale far off in the distance. We all scrambled out with cameras and
binoculars. I eventually saw them with
my naked eye. The crew was uncertain
whether it was a blue whale or a fin whale.
As the daylight faded, the colors of the horizon faded from an amazing
blend of blue to the horizon, purple in the middle and dark blue above to total
darkness with the light of the full moon making the waters sparkle- truly
magical. Dinner started half an hour
late. I love the priorities of UnCruise!
The presentation after dinner was on whale sharks, which we
were to meet on Friday. I was tired
enough to retire to my room and enjoy it as I prepared for bed.
