Sharks?!?! You want me to get in the water with Sharks?

For our last full day in the Islands, we have a full day ahead of us. Luckily, the weather is nice, and we are ready for a day in the sea.

We signed up for a diving tour that was to take us out to Hol Chan Reserve, and Shark Ray Alley, located near Caye Calkner, the most famous area for diving and snorkling. Jon, Kara, Janene and I board our boat, The Bad Girl, with about 8 other people all staying around our resort. The first site is Hol Chan Reserve. Since Jon Kara and Janene are diving, I make friends with a couple of ladies on board who will be snorkeling with me.

The water feels great, and although the visibility wasn't the best, it was still amazing! This site was a lot better than Mexican Rocks and we saw some great underwater life.

Huge rays seemed to float by with different schools of colorful fish near the coral. We were a little nervous at first since we had seen sharks while we were on the boat, but soon relaxed and got used to the scenery.

Everyone met back at the Bad Girl and we loaded up to get to the next site. On the way there, Dive Master George starts telling us that we are about to enter an area where ton's of sharks and rays are usually spotted and that if we are lucky, we will be able to swim with them. Lucky?!?!? Are you sure?

We are all a little worn out from swimming for so long, but soon feel invigurated as the boat speeds along the still waters. We slow down just off the coast of Caye Caulkner to a shallow area and everyone leans overboard. Nothing.

Dive Master George revs up the engine and gets the calm water rustled up. As I lean over and peer into the water, I see a HUGE shark slither by. Yikes! They are a lot bigger than I thought, probably about 10 feet long.

Soon, sharks are swarming and our dive masters jump in. One of the instructors wrangles a shark and holds him upside-down and invites us to touch it. It feels wierd, not at all slimy or slick like a fish. It is kind of rough, like sandpaper. I quickly pull my hand away, although the shark seems to be in a trance as we all take an opportunity to touch it.

After hanging out in the area we pack up and head back to the condo. Everyone in the boat had a really great time and started swapping stories. We hear from one person that the restaurant at his resort is really great.

Instead of going back to our condo, we just stop at his resort and plan to hang out for a couple of hours before we decide to have dinner.

Since we have some time, Janene and I inquire about spa treatments, and we find out they have some openings. I go in first and get a facial. The little spa on site in the resort is beautiful. I am lead through the sand and small thatched condos to a center building that is light and airy. It is simple and beautiful inside. I am invited to relax and unwind, while the wind gently blowes through the open windows.

The facial is very relaxing and I go back into the lobby and read magazines while Janene gets her hair treatment. When she is through we look through the little boutique and decide to buy jewelry and island style sarongs. We get all decked out in our new duds and meet Jon and Kara in the lobby where they are in the hot tub.

The restaurant, Metachica opens and we get seated. The menu is great and I decide on a seafood pasta. Homemade pasta and fresh seafood-you can't beat it! We procede to each order a different desert and share them all. Yummy!  Totally fat and happy, we board the water taxi and return to the condo to sleep.