THIS BLOG WAS SET UP TO CHRONICLE OUR ADVENTURES IN MÉXICO & GUATEMALA IN 2010.

Mike and I explored the Mexican Yucatán Peninsula for 2 weeks of flyfishing (Mike), diving (Stacey), snorkeling, Maya ruins, a colonial city, cenotes, quite a few hammocks and lots of great food.

When Mike flew home I headed to San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas for 2 weeks of Spanish study with a small group in tow. We lived with host families and visited area sights including villages, museums, and ruins.

When the group flew home I bused to San Pedro La Laguna on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala for a week of planning for future growth of the Beca Project (link below) and meeting our sponsored kids and their families.

When our daughter Mariah and her husband Greg invited us to share a timeshare in Quintana Roo between Christmas and New Years, a new chapter to this blog was added. HAPPY TRAILS!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Whale Sharks!

Part of the reason Mike and I decided to come to Isla Mujeres is because during the summer there is the possibility of swimming with whale sharks. The world’s largest species of fish, whale sharks are filter feeders and can grow to lengths of more than 40 feet. You can read more about them at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale_shark

As often as I’ve dreamed of seeing whale sharks, I don’t think I ever expected to do so and with rough seas this morning (and my stomach not dealing especially well with the waves despite dramamine) the odds today of finding a fish or 2 - even a really big sort - seemed akin to the proverbial needle in the haystack.

Low and behold after about 3 hours at sea and with all eyes on multiple boats searching for dark fins above the waves - there they were!!! There were 8 passengers on our boat plus the guide and captain. The captain would maneuver the boat in place and we’d enter the water 2 at a time with the guide, sometimes seeing more than one shark at once; one of the sharks Mike and I snorkeled with was especially large. The boat would circle around and pick us up and the next 2 swimmers would take a turn. We each had 4 opportunities to snorkel with the sharks before heading back to Isla. Enroute we experienced a thunder and lightning show and torrential rain but the success of our adventure minimized the inconvenience.

I am so incredibly honored to have shared the sea with these beautiful beings and I know Mike feels the same way. HAPPY TRAILS!







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1 comment:

  1. MariahJune 25, 2010 at 8:02 AM

    This is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen - and I wasn't even there!!! You got some great pictures. I can't imagine what a magical experience it was, and I'm so glad dad was there with you. You've waited so many years!!! Love you :)

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