Mangrove Madness

Today we got out of bed before the sun came up and were abruptly awoken by a cold plunge into the Caribbean Sea. After making sure that everyone in our group could swim, we began our first snorkeling lesson. We learned how to breathe through our snorkels without swallowing water, to equalize or ears, and to dive to the bottom. During the brief lesson we saw jellies, shells, and a variety of fish. There was even a lemon shark washed up on the beach. After a hearty breakfast of French toast and bacon we headed out to tour the Island School. We split up into 2 teams (the bananas and the strawberries) and headed out for the Cape Eleuthera Institute. We walked over rumber bridges and walkways and tried some delicious (passion fruit) and not-so-delicious (nonni) fruit. The beautiful campus is ecologically sustainable in every aspect.

Mooch (the chef) then cooked the group a delicious lunch that gave us the energy to head back to sea. The class took a quick bike ride to the coast where we explored a mangrove forest and the ecosystem around it. We trekked against the current of a mangrove creek and since luckily it was low tide, the lemon juvenile lemon sharks which usually live there were nowhere to be found. When the creek became too shallow to swim in, we turned back, and rode the current back to the ocean. We took advantage of our snorkel gear and observed the fish that inhabited the mangroves. Many of the fish of the fish were quite friendly but the elusive schoolmaster snapper kept darting away whenever we got close.

When we reached the sandbar we gathered together and played barracuda: a game similar to sharks and minnows. It was all fun and games until a few of us fell onto the mangrove sediment.

We ended the day by biking to the marina, relaxing on the beach, or taking our minute long showers. Overall, our first full day in the Bahamas was a great success and we are very excited for the weeks to come.

Eliza & Patrick