On our last full day, despite the winds, we were able to take a half-day snorkel trip out to the Hol-Chan Marine Reserve and to Shark-Ray Alley for some amazing fish-viewing. Our guides Eddy and Felipe split us up into 2 manageable groups and we spent an hour in each location. Hol-Chan offers amazing reef swimming along a natural cut (channel) in the reef, which is the second-longest in the world. In our group, Eddy was excellent at ensuring that everyone got a view of some of the wonders of the reef, including moray eels, leopard-spotted eagle rays, puffer fish, hermit crabs in some funny homes, sharks, barracuda and a variety of beautifully colored (and delicious) indigenous fish.
The coral formations and vegetation themselves were marvelous, and swimming in 30 feet of crystal water with other-worldly scuba folk far below us and shimmering neon reef denizens all around us was wondrous. The kids got some great pictures, but even the best do not do the experience justice.
We enjoyed a pizza party that evening as a group, and had a surprise visit from Barry & Dixie, who brought us each a print of a fun group picture Barry had taken the day before on our Caye Caulker boat trip. A great memento of the day! Barry was already thinking about how to improve the trip even more for next year – hard to imagine that’s possible, but we’re looking forward to his ideas!
The final morning was relaxing, with some time for sun, shopping, and last-minute hair-braiding (expert beach braider Janelle was shocked by the extent of Carly Church’s mane!)
The trip ended with a smooth 20-minute hop from San Pedro to Belize International Airport, then equally easy jaunts to Miami and Boston. We arrived at midnight on the dot, and our faithful volunteer driver John Trovage was there on cue in the trusty warm Brooks busette to take us back to Brooks in style. With the arrival of Mrs. Gustafson here on campus this morning, the trip is officially over and we are left with beautiful memories of an amazing trip. As is their trademark, the Brooks kids made a phenomenal impression everywhere they went – we felt a bit like Mr. Becker, basking in compliments from adults of all ilks concerning the kids’ warmth, politeness, and impeccable behavior. We adults may have organized the trip, but they made it what it was.
Bravo, everyone!
Hasta luego …
Mr. Grant & Ms. Perkins
The coral formations and vegetation themselves were marvelous, and swimming in 30 feet of crystal water with other-worldly scuba folk far below us and shimmering neon reef denizens all around us was wondrous. The kids got some great pictures, but even the best do not do the experience justice.
We enjoyed a pizza party that evening as a group, and had a surprise visit from Barry & Dixie, who brought us each a print of a fun group picture Barry had taken the day before on our Caye Caulker boat trip. A great memento of the day! Barry was already thinking about how to improve the trip even more for next year – hard to imagine that’s possible, but we’re looking forward to his ideas!
The final morning was relaxing, with some time for sun, shopping, and last-minute hair-braiding (expert beach braider Janelle was shocked by the extent of Carly Church’s mane!)
The trip ended with a smooth 20-minute hop from San Pedro to Belize International Airport, then equally easy jaunts to Miami and Boston. We arrived at midnight on the dot, and our faithful volunteer driver John Trovage was there on cue in the trusty warm Brooks busette to take us back to Brooks in style. With the arrival of Mrs. Gustafson here on campus this morning, the trip is officially over and we are left with beautiful memories of an amazing trip. As is their trademark, the Brooks kids made a phenomenal impression everywhere they went – we felt a bit like Mr. Becker, basking in compliments from adults of all ilks concerning the kids’ warmth, politeness, and impeccable behavior. We adults may have organized the trip, but they made it what it was.
Bravo, everyone!
Hasta luego …
Mr. Grant & Ms. Perkins
