Reflections on Carriacou

            On March 2, our vessel was anchored off the island of Carriacou. It was our second action-packed day on the island. Early in the morning, we prepared for another glorious snorkel in the Caribbean waters. Clad only in bathing suits, fins, masks and snorkels, we loaded into the small boats and motored to the snorkel site, which was fifteen minutes away off a small, sandy key. As we disembarked from the small boats in Navy Seal Special Forces style, the waters took us once again into majestic places. This snorkel site was especially fish-filled, with several varieties of parrotfishes, damselfish, needlefish and even a small lemon shark. All the students are getting much more comfortable identifying the underwater creatures and we can relate to each other with delight when we find some especially interesting looking creature.

            After the snorkel, we did a quick change and gear grab and headed out once more to the island of Carriacou. On shore, all twenty-four of us hailed a few taxis to take us to Tyrell Bay. There, we spent four hours on a beach, taking turns paddling kayaks over to a mangrove forest. In small groups we crossed part of the bay and entered the mangrove forest, which was also full of exciting plants and animals. Peering over the side of my banana-colored kayak, the clear water ended in a muddy brown bottom dotted with upside-down jellies. Fish and birds flew over the water (yes, flying fish are always popping up) and small crabs and clams filled the prop roots of the mangrove trees. A peaceful place for inner reflections and worldly observations, the quiet river let us drift along absorbing the sunshine and appreciate what a beautiful world we live in. This was a perfect way to experience the island on our last day in Carriacou.

Chelsea Kimball