Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Catamaran Tour

Since we could only afford to go on two day-trips, Paul and I carefully selected the Havana tour and the Catamaran Tour.



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In rained the morning of the Catamaran tour, and by rained I mean poured as if the ocean had been sucked up and was being forced at us from all directions. This was serious rain. Luckily, by the time we were ready to board all that remained were cloudy skies and turbulent waters.

I enjoyed riding facedown on the net at the front of the vessel with the wind whipping my face and the waves splashing on my shirt front.



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Our first stop was for snorkelling in a small reef off the boat. To be honest I was unimpressed with the snorkelling, in part due to the ineffectiveness of my old snorkel and the turbidity of the waters.



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A passing fishing boat, likely containing Cuban fisherman who were annoyed by the rowdy drunken Canadians.



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The next, and best, stop was at a huge enclosure out in the ocean. This was where we got to swim with the dolphins! The dolphins can actually leave the enclosure at any time, but choose to stay where they are fed.



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First the dolphins did some tricks, then swim past so we could rub their bellies. Then they circled back around to give us "kisses".



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Finally we posed with the dolphins and a man took our photo. He later brought the photo to the hotel so we could buy a copy for 10 pesos. That's the best 12 bucks I have ever spent; what a great photo for our anniversary.



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Soon we were off and arrived at Cayo Blanco for another traditional cuban meal. We weren't exactly sure how buns and hashbrowns constituted a 'traditional cuban meal' but we decided that this unidentified item was deep-fried sea horse.


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We played in the ocean for a while and then it was time to board the Catamaran again. The way back to our resort was filled with excitement: we had a visitor!


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(It's hard to get a good photo of a wild dolphin pacing the boat when everyone rushes the rail.)


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In keeping with our "Cuban tradition", the catamaran had an open bar. The combination of Cuba Libre (rum and coke with lime) and hours in the sun meant that we were in for some good entertainment on the ride back.


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Sue telling stories.


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Dance party on the boat!


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It may just look like I'm squinting in the sun and happy about dolphins, but actually Amanda had just done a pole dance for me and then tried to drive the boat. She was quite intoxicated and screaming at the top of her lungs, "Whoooo! I'm a doctor! Whooo!" while dancing with her pole. Among other things, this trip was to celebrate her graduation from medical school.
The only reason you're not seeing photos is she is very very embarrased about it.

Alright, fine. Just one photo.


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This particular sexy move apparently involved kneeing Graeme in the head. (Gotta love her!)

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