"I Live Where You Vacation"

My sisters and I were practically swimming before we learned how to walk. My grandfather on my father's side always had a boat and he would make sure the whole family went on trips all year round. By default my dad too grew up on boats and wanted to share that experience onto his daughters, so my family also bought a boat. Being girls didn't stop us from learning all the maritime laws, the sea's do's and don'ts, how to properly make knots, steer the boat, and throw an anchor correctly. We had a blast doing everything all the other boys did and probably showed off to my dad's friends from time to time. As a family we would take the boat out to Palomino, Icacos, Culebra, St. Thomas, Tortola, Virgin Gorda and so on. We would swim in the ocean until the sun set and got a nice tan without even trying. Eventually the bliss came to an abrupt end and we had to get rid of the boat because it cost too much to maintain. 

All those years of taking in the salty sea and playing in the sand are very near and dear memories for my family so we try to take a couple of trips at least to Culebra to relive the good old days. This past weekend we made one of these trips. The last time we went for me and my sister's birthday weekend (our birthdays are a day apart so we celebrate them together from time to time) and my mom, dad, and younger sister got to kayak and snorkel with my uncle and his family. My uncle's dad recently set up a kayak and snorkel rental adventure in Culebra called Culebra Island Adventures, and they all came back talking about all the fun they had had that this time I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to go. 

I got paired with my sister on the kayak and we were off into the Atlantic Ocean, just as we remembered. About 15 minutes later we put on our snorkeling gear, got rid of our life jackets, and dove into the water. The first thing we saw was a stingray making its way through the seagrass and I was already impressed! During the swim we saw the corral reefs and all the different types of fishes, even a lobster!! It was unbelievable to think that there was so much exotic life just an hour outside of the mainland. Puerto Rico may be an island, but it's so full of life that no wonder so many tourists pick us a tourist destination. I was so excited to get to experience nature in that state that I didn't want to leave. However, I wasn't feeling well from the day before and had to leave the trip early. I was bummed because the kayak/snorkel adventure was literally just beginning, but I had to stay on the beach while the rest of the group continued. My younger sister volunteered to fill my spot and off they went to see the Carey sea turtles, starfish and even more stingrays.

My dad and the sea turtle I didn't get to see :(