Snorkeling In Negril, Jamaica

Mike with his glass bottom boat.

As a group, we chartered a local to take us out to the reefs that were just off shore. Mike was a really nice guy and he was very knowledgeable about his business. If someones mask fogged up, he would wash it with baby shampoo and rinse it. Or, if a mask leaked or fins didn't work properly, he had a replacement that could be borrowed.

I have never been crazy about snorkeling. I just don't like having to keep that big mouth piece thing in my mouth and try to keep the water out and blow hard when you come back up and blah, blah, blah. It's just too much work. So, when Nathan preferred his goggles to the mask and snorkel I could certainly understand.

Todd with mask and snorkel and Nathan with...his goggles.

He did pretty good considering he had to keep coming up for a breath. But, it wasn't long before he was exhausted. Todd too, was worn out from having to keep close to Nathan and carrying him "piggy back" when he got tired or needed to adjust his fins or goggles.

It didn't take Nathan long to get tired.

Todd under the glass bottom boat.

Finger starfish.

Day two proved to be better than day one. Todd and I were able to convince Nathan to use his mask and snorkel. He consented and loved it. On day one, Stuart Brown, found a tiger conch shell and Nathan fell in love with it. So, on day two, he was on a mission to find his own. Well, on day two they arrived back at the boat with our very own tiger conch shell. According to Nathan, he spotted it but he didn't know how to dive down and get it, so he told his daddy to go get it. I don't think the real story goes quite like that but anyway we are now the proud owners of a tiger conch shell and Nathan couldn't be happier.

Nathan on day 2 with mask and snorkel.

Nathan with the prized Tiger Conch shell.

And a first for Nathan's Ma:

Here is my first attempt at videoing with my digital camera. The girl next to Nathan is Olivia Brown. I think he was kind of sweet on her because he told me one night that he had gotten two hugs from her that day. At the retreat back in August, he was sweet on Olivia's younger sister Sophia. I guess he decided he would rather his girlfriends be more mature.

Negril, Jamaica

L to R: Steve Puffpaff, Dale and Patti Coad, (our area directors), Gary and Peggy Pyatt, Stuart and Wendy Brown, and Todd and I. Missing are Tom and Brenda Lantz, and Steve and Pam Livingston.

This past weekend, we were blessed to be able to join the other missionaries on the Island at a retreat in Negril. This was our first time in Negril and it is beautiful just like the rest of the Island. We were able to get a little rest, but not much, because there were so many activities available that Nathan had to experience.

The hotel offered two pools, a jacuzzi, and of course the beach which offers all kinds of water sports. It also had a small restaurant where we were able to eat most of our meals. The main highlights of the weekend were snorkeling, going to the water park, and experiencing the cliff divers at Rick's Cafe.

I took over one hundred pictures, so instead of trying to pick and choose which pictures to use in this one post, I will use them in several posts. Howie and Sherry will appreciate the mileage I can get out of this trip like I did from the trip home for Christmas.