Pilote's Travel Blog no. 7 - Catamaran and an encounter with a dolphin

Although we were a little worried about today’s adventure, fearing it might be too hot on the catamaran, the day was very hot but overcast and there was protection and shade on the catamaran itself.  Our catamaran’s name was Intrepido and it was very big, big enough for at least 60 to be comfortably seated + 3 crew members.  I had never been on a catamaran so it was a novel experience although we didn’t use the sails, it was motoring the whole way.  The sails just went up at the end of the trip mostly for show since there was little wind and the motor was still doing its job.  We set off first for a little bit of snorkeling  the reef where we were was degraded and not as rich with sea life as it should have been but still pretty nonetheless with the coral lace fan like and some colorful fishes which took off as soon as too many people hit the water.  I just caught a glimpse of them at the beginning, I was the only one of us two to go in the water, chose to wear a belt even though I’m a strong swimmer but our last experience with snorkeling near Puerto Vallarta was not a successful one, taught me a thing or two about unpredictable currents.  After about 15 or 20 minutes of snorkeling we all climbed back aboard and headed for the delphinarium.  This particular delphinarium is unusual in that it’s not a pool it’s broken up into pens in the middle of the ocean which is a lot better for the dolphins.  Our dolphin was 5 years old (a juvenile), his name was Nemo.  We all lined up on this platform in the water and we were allowed to pet him each in turn.  Next was the kiss.  When it came to my turn I said his name and hello and he made that weird clicking noise, opened up his mouth and stuck out his tongue, wow! He really liked me.  I’ve always maintained I have a special affinity with dolphins and I think that proves it again….haha  Some people will remain skeptical but I know, in my heart, this to be true.  There was a little bit more cajoling with Nemo, he showered us with his flippers and then back on the catamaran to our final destination Cayo Blanco where we were to have lunch and a rest on the beach.  The sand is pure white and fine like powder much like the sand I remember from Isla Mujeres in the Yucatan.  

The trip is run like a finely oiled machine.  There are many many catamarans and we had to wait for some people to board theirs before we could dock and settle in for lunch.  One thing to note.  All the foreigners in Varadero are tagged just like birds or homing pigeons, tagged with the colors of the hotel where they’re staying and because there are overlaps in colors the name is also printed on the band.  Don’t really like having to wear a tag for 2 weeks but that’s the way it is when you’re in an all inclusive and there are no other wayward travelers coming in.  If you’re in Varadero there’s no escaping the tagging.

Back to lunch which took place in a huge wooden building with all the groups marched in to their respective areas.  The lunch was a disappointment.  It featured “langouste” ( similar to lobster) with no butter, no garlic, no salt, overcooked tough and chewy, a medley of over processed vegetables, equally tasteless, rice with a few tiny shrimps thrown in and two exceedingly bone dry, fried to a crisp, pieces of fish.  Like I said, total disappointment, wasn’t expecting too much though since I haven’t been impressed with the finer “art” of Cuban cuisine.  A pre-packaged cake was offered for desert.  Entertainment was provided by a live band and it seemed to be every Tom Dick and Joe’s birthday because we kept having to sing happy birthday to someone.  Got out of there as fast as we could and headed for the beach.  Scored some chairs after paying a tip and relaxed for an hour.  

The trip back was pretty uneventful except for a bout of dancing initiated by one of the crew members forcing everybody to participate on pain of being thrown overboard….haha  Of course not everybody enjoyed that particular activity.  I didn’t mind it, thought it was fun. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the music which was blasting non-stop during the whole duration of the trip, incredibly annoying but unavoidable on these so-called cruises where silence is certainly not prized as golden.

All it all a pretty good day and it broke the monotony of being stuck in one place, namely Club Karey.

After today we will only have a few days left.  Came back to discover that the electricity was off.  There was only a trickle left in the shower while I was still shampooing my hair, trickle which became nothing shortly thereafter.  Had to step out of the shower with my hair still full of shampoo, got some in my eyes while trying to rinse off with the trickle still coming out from the tap sink.  Finally had to get the ice cold drinking water from the fridge and pour some over my head, first time I’ve ever had to do that.  Meanwhile some gurgling sounds issued forth announcing the return of water was imminent.  Luckily was able to step back into the shower and rinse off.  Got to love Cuba!  Since the electricity was off, the t.v. cable had stopped working as well and now there was no t.v.  only white noise.  It may seem unimportant but there really isn’t much to do at Club Karey once dinner is over.  It’s going to be a long, bloody night.  Hasta luego.  Managed to get a guy over to fix the t.v. it was a cable thing, he also fixed the toilet while he was at it.  We will be able to have a flushing, functioning toilet for the next few days, hallelujah!