Surrounded by Boobies

. . .of the avian variety! Sitting in the cockpit yesterday, brown boobies were diving very close to the boat - actually splashing us with water, as they came up with fish in their mouths. These are large birds with yellow feet and are very good fishermen. They kept diving under our boat - and when we got in the water - we understood why. There were hundreds and hundreds of fish hiding under the boat. They were in the shadow of the hull and it looked like a mirror image of the boat - only made out of small silvery fish. We waited for something big to come up from the bottom with its mouth open!

The birds are great to watch. The boobies get fish, the frigates chase other birds with fish (thus their reputation as pirates of the sky) and they fight - frigate on frigate - with great flying maneuvers.

When Michael dove to check the anchor - to make sure it was holding - he saw a turtle under the chain. He worried that the turtle was stuck - but as he watched - the critter was just taking a brief snooze and then worked his way from under the chain. Michael's always glad to help anyone take a nap (remember he is President and Founder of "Napping for Peace.")

As we swam around, we also a big black mark on the side of the hull. We realized we had been "inked" by a squid. It probably hit the hull when we were making the crossing and it "graffiti-ed" our hull! There's probably a gang of squid out their tagging boats!

The beach is beautiful that we are anchored near. We went ashore and walked the softest white sand we'd seen to date. On the lee side of the island is this beautiful calm water and white, soft sand. Look over the small crest of land and you see crashing waves against rock. It is quite a study in contrasts in one small strip of land. Calm on the lee side; rocky and wild on the windward side.

There are lots of fishing boats that come into this island group and anchor before they head out again. Last night a group of fishermen went to shore and started shooting at something - luckily not us. Hmmmm..

Yesterday, a couple from a one of the French boats swam over to us and asked if we were heading to Margarita and wanted to join them the next day for the trip. Two boats were heading out and we were welcome to come along. We are not heading to Isla Margarita this time - so we thanked them and passed. The Guardacosta also came by and asked if cleared in and with our borderline Spanish and their borderline English - I think we got across that we did check into the station on "lunes" (Monday) and would be leaving for Blanquilla when the weather was right. He informed us we must clear into Margarita. There is great confusion in these islands - and much argument amongst cruising boats - about what you need to have (Venezuelan Visa or not) and where you can and cannot go. Everyone you ask has a different answer. The men at the station on Monday, told Michael going to Blanquilla was fine and that we could stay here for two days - but if the weather was bad - "no problemo" about staying longer. The Venezuelan embassy in Grenada also was clear in telling us that the Visa we got would allow us to pass through the out islands without having to clear into Margarita. Hard to get clarity - and we always try to do the right thing when it comes to clearing in and out of the countries that we have the privilege of visiting.

Weather has taken a turn - it is really windy and grey out there. We had some rain overnight. We can't stay here to long - but it won't be tonight that we leave. Perhaps tomorrow or Friday.