Spooky Channel and West Bay

 Today we decide is the day to snorkel Spooky Channel.  We decide to attack this swim by walking down to the pier directly in front of the channel so we don't have to swim quite as far.  Maybe not our smartest decision as the pier is private and it is a very mucky grassy swim from shore to the end of the pier where the water is deeper.

A bit of a swim out to Spooky Channel and it is a little rougher once we get out past the reef.  It is not Wendys favourite snorkel spot, last time we went twice and it was amazing, this time Spooky Channel was a good name for it.  We often see divers at this spot, it is about 80-90 feet deep and 10 feet wide at one point.  Water was a little murky, aka spooky.  Swam back directly to our dock after Spooky Channel which is about 450m, another good day.

Decided we should go to West Bay for the afternoon.  A poor decision was made that we didn't bring bathing suits and it was quite hot.  We started off taking a taxi to West End, then a water taxi to West Bay which is always fun.  We walked the length of the beach at West Bay, it is a very pretty beach here with beautiful beach access, though not too much snorkeling.  We talked about one day maybe splitting vacation time, part here for the beach time, then off to Puerta Azul for snorkel time, we shall see if that ever happens.  Stopped for drinks and something to eat at a bar, then contacted our taxi driver and told him we would like to be picked up in West Bay instead of our original spot in West End.  All worked out well, with a stop at a chocolate factory on the way back.  Passed on the tour and just bought some bars.

Tonights excitement was we walked across the street from Puerto Azul to a little corner store, where you could pretty much find anything.  Plumbing supplies, some food, nails, pet food, just look around and you could pretty much find it.  Joey and Andre has been over earlier in the week and wanted us to all go visit, Andre of course wanted to go back for a second ice cream cone.  Favourite part was the shop can that just helps itself to the open food that look like you purchase it by the scoop.

Another night of card games to close the day

Beautiful vegetation on the Puerta Azul grounds

brown basilisk lizard, also known as a striped basilisk or "Jesus Christ lizard

Where we started our swim to Spooky Channel.  Thanks to Nancy for the picture.  Joey had some new friends start the swim with her

stoplight parrotfish

Spooky channel, 80-90 feet deep

The center is less than 10 feet wide

We were lucky and saw 4 squids in the distance, the water was a bit murky today

a stoplight parrotfish, specifically in its terminal phase male coloration. 

French Angel Fish

blue-barred parrotfish, not as many as the other types

Beaugregory damselfish next to a long-spined sea urchin 

Lobster were sighted every day

sand diver, also known as an Atlantic lizardfish

banded coral shrimp under our pier

Small convenience store and restaurant on the way to West End

West End

Abandoned sailboat that is used as a water swing

Joey's Dream

The water taxi to West Bay

Our water taxi to West Bay

West Bay

Coconut Vendor

Beautiful beaches in West Bay

Taken from shore, looks like the fish are fed here

I lost weight on this trip LOL. Thanks for the picture Nancy

On one of the back street in West End. AirBnB. If you don't mind stairs.

The Mall LOL

    Food Truck next to the chocolate factory

7 years ago, they were working on the turtle in a field. They moved it by helicopter to this roof

Happy Hour at Sunset on the pier

Night Cap Heron on the pier, and Joey too

The street leading to the main road from the resort. Dead end street, so no traffic

At the little store at the end of our street, Went for Ice Cream Bars twice. They sell cat & dog food by the pound. The house cat just serves itself.