Day 1 – Manta Rays…and bearded goats.

View from our "lanai" (patio)

Theresa had a little trouble sleeping, and woke at about 3 AM.  That would have been 8AM at home, so maybe that made sense.  Anyway, she finally got up and sat out on the patio to read.  She said it was a little chilly (in the 60s?).  But, we are right off of the golf course, so it is a beautiful view.  I slept nicely until after 6.  

Church

So, we enjoyed a nice lazy morning and went to church.  It was kind of an odd looking church, with steeply rising tiers.  But it struck both of us how amazing it is that we can be this far away from home, and not only be able to celebrate our faith, but in the exact form as at home, regardless of the building shape or style.  Even deeper, that this is essentially the same Mass celebrated for 2000 years, in almost every country around the world.  We were both awed by this!

Definitely "out of bounds" on the gold course!!

We hit the grocery store on the way home, and picked up enough to make a plebian spaghetti lunch and some stuff for the coming week (beer, soda, etc).  Back home, and after a few minor tasks, the first priority was a nap, especially for Theresa.  Meanwhile, I found a channel airing “Air Disasters”, and was promptly sucked in!!  What completes a beautiful tropical vacation like watching why planes crash?  During a commercial break, I noticed a few goats meander from the golf course into this lava rock area looking for juicy leaves.  (Hey buddy, there is some lettuce over there…help yourself!)

Much juicier than the tufts found among the lava rock1

One of many boats setting up for the show.

Finally, the big event of the day…Manta Rays!!  Theresa found a tour that watches manta rays at night.  Especially since we missed out on the sting rays off of Bora Bora, Theresa was VERY hopeful for this part of the trip.  When the Sheraton built a hotel on the south part of the coast, someone realized their lights seemed to be stirring up the rays.  They figured out the light draws the plankton, and the plankton draws everything else, including manta rays.  So, now several companies head out about sunset to set up these floats with lights in them, and the tourists hold on while floating and wait for the rays to show up.  And show up they do!!  It’s a buffet, after all!

Manta ray--head on!!

We headed to a marina on the other side of the airport, about 30-45 minutes away.  It is a small boat, taking up to 25 people, but there were only 17 this trip.  On site, there were already several other operators set up.  They briefed us…the most important part being “Don’t touch!!”  Also, don’t kick, don’t reach, etc.  With our water camera on a strap around my neck, we got into position and waited.  A school of small fish (2-4 inches long) were scrambling trying to get the plankton.  Soon, some larger fish (5-8 inches?) showed up.  Then…the big guys.  The manta rays here (there are 250 cataloged) range from about 2 feet (wing span) up to one that is 16-18 feet!    Ultimately, we saw at least 3 at the same time.  I guess the small one was only 2 foot, but one of the larger ones were 10-12 feet (not sure).

Front

Bottom

Close up of the bottom-with a fish in the way!

They get VERY close to things...this is the bed of lights.

They swim in a strange pattern, going up, opening their maw, and swooping upside down in an arc, then back down.  Since they are “filter feeders”, the mouth is wide open, and they have slits on their bottom surface to let the water out.  The fish get out of the way, but the plankton are scooped up.  In these loops, rarely do they touch us, however I got hit 3 times (not my fault!).  I am adding a video, which I HOPE you will be able to view.  It is a huge file, but you can get a sense of the way they swim, and what we saw.