An outing with our group of fellow Newfies.

Sunday we had our first inclination to actually get in the water. Jason's work friends and their families were going out to "Ile aux Canards" for a day of sunning and snorkelling. This "Duck Island" is about a five minute water taxi across from Anse Vata beach, and was well worth the 2000cfp it cost to get us both there (about 25 $ Canadian).


Jason has been very anxious to try his fins at snorkelling while I have been more weary. We brought our own gear with us, so we wasted no time in diving in. It was a bit strange at first, being restricted to only breathing through the tube, and I took in a few mouthfuls of salt water before I got used to it. Jason found it much the same. I expected to see big colourful pieces of coral, but what I saw was more yellowish and pale. Fish seemed to appear out of nowhere. There were schools of little zebra fish and other tiny varieties that one might have in an aquarium. Then there were the much larger angel fish and parrot fish that came around in groups of 4 or 5.


There were several others that I could not possibly name, one fat rainbow one that was pretty cool. Right into the shore there was a very large school of white, almost transparent fish. I was suprised by how close they would come, not at all skitish. Jason ventured further out than me, trying to find the manta ray that some other people had seen. I'm still a little nervous of what could appear out of the deep. I hope to be more courageous as time goes by.


After this excursion, we walked around the (very small) island a bit and had a drink in the little bar that was there. Some interesting wooden carvings around and we took quite a few pics. There were a lot of chairs set out around for people to sun bathe, but they attract waiters, so unless you wanted to pay, you had to bring your own blanket to sit on. Next time we go, we hope to have an underwater camera....


The island from Anse Vata...

Me, all geared up!!!