If there is such a thing as past lives, I’m pretty sure I was a fish, or maybe a mermaid. I love the ocean; boating on the ocean, swimming in the ocean, and especially snorkeling in the majestic underwater world. Diving should be on the list, but unfortunately I am claustrophobic and I can’t scuba.
On a rare occurrence, we took an adult trip to Belize; four couples, no kids. While much of the week was spent lounging by the pool, sipping cocktails, playing games and laughing; we managed to add a few activities; Hol Chan-Shark Ray Alley was one of them.
Geographically, Ambergis Caye in Belize is interesting. The waves seem to break on the horizon and you can walk out over 50 yards and still be head above water; the reason is the barrier reef. It is the largest barrier reef outside of the better known Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Chuck and Robbie’s picked us up at our dock for a 20 minute ride to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Hardly notable above water but for the park ranger station collecting your $10 “entrance fee.” Once paid, we dropped below the surface where the magical underwater world unfolded.
Purple fan corals, golden lettuce corals, and so many fish! Barracudas, wrasse, trigger fish, parrot fish, rock beauties and damsel fish. In water the temperature of a bathtub, we slowly kicked along hovering over the magnificent reef below. Snorkeling is a fully immersive activity, fish swim around you as you are part of their world. It is awe inspiring.
The “alley” is a break in the barrier reef that allows a more free flow of water. Without looking, you know you are there as the temperature changes, cool water rushes in with the waves. It’s a refreshing change.
The next stop was the sharks and manta rays. For many the word shark strikes fear and brings gasps! But these are Nurse sharks, slow moving, bottom dwellers, and for the most part, harmless to people. Rough to the touch, so ugly they are almost cute, and uninterested in humans, we swam right next to them.
A very large loggerhead turtle eating a lobster caught our attention. He was surrounded by many small fish hoping to catch a morsel floating away as the loggerhead chowed down. It was a colorful sight of fish with the turtle blending into the seagrass as he held the lobster with his flippers.
Rays glided past us, their movement seemingly effortless. Close, but not too close, we are both more comfortable with a little space between us.
Back in the boat, we marveled at the beauty of the underwater world. Closer to land, we were reminded of the effects of humans as we passed plastic and garbage tangled in the seaweed by the shore.
I am so privileged to make travel a part of my life. Through travel, I learn, I love and I appreciate our world.
**Might be time for a new underwater camera. The pictures don’t do it justice.