Sand Island Beach

Today we understood why so many Africans move so slowly! It is so hot and muggy that we find ourselves able to move only in slow motion. Once we geared down we found ourselves quite comfortable -- sitting in the shade enjoying the breeze.

Early in the morning a vendor named Amos waved us down to the beach to ask us if we wanted any fish for supper. We ordered a snapper and he said he'd be back at 9:30 with it. We also arranged for a boat ride to star fish island and the reef for snorkeling. As we sat on our veranda watching the tide go out numerous vendors walked by and we partook of their various wares, vegetables,samosas, kukius and wood carvings. Eventually we hauled our hot sweaty bodies into the water and enjoyed making our way out to Sand Island and the reef.

We made it back just in time to meet Amos and climbed into his stinky boat that was a carved out of a mango tree. Perched precariously on the seat in the boat with our middle-aged butts hanging over each side we gagged as Amos patiently pulled, pushed and poled the boat across the water to Starfish Island.

In a matter of minutes we were able to collect armfulls of starfish and had fun posing with them for pictures. Some of them had the most stunning colors. Vivian and Amos then went snorkling off the reef while Amy swam. Vivian was immediately stung by a jelly fish. Ever the bravehearted soul, she got right back in the water and enjoyed exploring the fishes of the Indian Ocean.

Upon returning home we discovered that Noth American sunscreen sucks in Africa. We both slathered ourselves with lotion and after our first homecooked meal in weeks, we fell into bed, exhausted.