Rock n roll on the water

I woke to my alarm, my body clearly needing a little more sleep than I was permitting (no rest for the wicked as the clock ticks!!), and excited myself by remembering it was finally the day I was to do the Rock n Roll boat excursion with E. The excursion I had been trying to do for weeks, possibly even months.

Friday's ride had been cancelled due to lack of numbers, so I rescheduled for Tuesday, but given the unreliable track record of the booking agency, I was fully expecting them to cock it up once I arrived. In fact, I'd already worked myself up by the time I'd gotten to their office that I was pleasantly surprised to find they actually had me booked in. Albeit under a different name, but still I was there.

E hadn't arrived and soon after I received a frantic call from her saying she was stuck in traffic as the bridge had opened to let some boats through. She made good time, however, and we didn't delay the 10am start. Even better, I found a pretty beaded anklet on the ground whilst talking to her and it fits perfectly! Bueno.

So we were set to go. E hopped in the front of the boat for the first part, her having her boating license and me wanting to watch how it all worked before trying it myself. The guide explained us simply how to use the dinghy/jet ski type boat, it seemed easy enuf, and we went roaring around "trying it out". The guide didn't seem perturbed that we were going fast or tearing around the corners, so we did it until he got into his "mothership" and commenced the tour.

The ride out to Creole Rock took us through Simpson Bay lagoon and into the French side, bringing with it beautiful views of the island from the water. The change in scenery once you're over the French side really is striking, the buildings disappearing to make way for more lush and vibrant greenery. The water was at times quite choppy and E had to steer with both arms to ensure we didn't topple over.

At Creole rock, a protected marine reserve, there was plenty to see - in fact, as we sat bobbing around trying to secure our masks I saw something large glide below E's feet. I pointed and we stuck our heads under just in time to catch a big, black sting ray with white spots. Never seen one of them before! Otherwise, we just saw some beautifully coloured fish roaming around and some nice coral.

We made sure to document the experience on my camera, gladly so as we ended up getting some great photos. Us looking completely stupid, but what's new huh?? Only thing that annoyed me was my mask while snorkelling, it just wouldn't stop leaking! I tried everything but maybe it was just faulty. I thought of asking the guide to help, but I didn't want to distract him from his BBM conversation. At it was, the water got cold when the sun disappeared behind some clouds and the wind continued to blow, so us and the other couple on the trip called time.

Then it was my turn to drive back... oh yeah! I rode those waves like a mother, no turning back. It was so much fun, much easier than I expected but it felt rougher on the way back - maybe my driving was just rougher? I know one thing - I tailgated the fuck outta the guide, wonder if I got on his nerves. Reminds me of the people that tailgate me on trails. Ha!

At the end, we gave a tip (not much but something, locals don't usually tip me!) and I mentioned that I knew L. The guide said he already knew who I was and remembered the time L and I came by to get beers, and also quoted some other places he'd seen me on the island. It's creepy when people do that here.

After the ride, E and I had a nice lunch on the balcony of this little cafe (ribs for me! Rah rah rah!!) and then she drove me home, having to go get her boss from the airport. I didn't really know what else to do, and I couldn't even do my washing as the cord for the machine had gone walkabout. So I just chilled, and eventually the cord reappeared and I could get my wash on. Such is my exciting life these days.

N had invited me to La Bamba, and I'd casually said yes, but then I got an interview for the travel agent job in Melbourne and it ended up translating to about 7pm my time on Tuesday night. So I went to Pineapple Pete's to make the Skype call (straining my ears to hear between Lady GaGa in the background, how very professional) and it went well, the recruitment guy sending me through to the next level which includes an online aptitude test and then an invitation to the assessment day which falls the day after I arrive in Melbourne - perfect!

So things are falling into place nicely...

Sunday at Mullet Bay (seriously, amazing name)

My phone rang. Well, it took a moment to realise it was my phone ringing, since I only just got a SIM card and haven't actually had a phone to ring for a while... so I pick it up, still in bed on my Sunday day off, and for a confusing couple of minutes I'm talking to who I thought was J then realised - due to hearing the same roosters crowing in his background, it was my neighbour.

There are a couple of things strange about this. 1, I never gave him my number so I can only assume when he borrowed my phone last night, the friend he rang then passed on my number. Now I might be old-fashioned, but unless someone specifically gives their number to you, I would not be calling them. Especially at 8:30am on a Sunday, my day off. Also, what was he calling me for? He lives about 5m to my right. And did I mention it was 8:30am?? I made my excuses and hung up, staying in my room until I know he had left for work.*

J phoned shortly after, a phonecall I was waiting for since we were due to snorkel together that day. Him being my workmate and what I genuinely believed a nice guy, I was looking forward to it. And I was right.

He arrived a little late, but all good. He gave me enuf extra time to get picked up by my other neighbour, who asked repeatedly for my number to the extent that it was awkward not to give it. Especially when they call it to "return the number" and I can't give a fake one. Not that I am into the fake number thing, if I don't wanna answer, I know after the first call and I will re-label him "don't answer".

That reminds me... J and I were in the cab to Mullet Bay - yes, amazing innit - and I get a phonecall from an unknown number. He starts saying, in a Jamaican sounding voice, "Yah man, so can I take some of your lunch?" I turn to J - what does he mean? Is it some primal mating call I'm unfamiliar with? No, he probably just wants some of your lunch. Urgh, J, you are hopeless!! My reaction - just say, thank you, I have no idea what you're saying, I'm gonna hang up now. J asks em why I hung up. Man, I have no idea what's going on, fuck you all!

So that was weird. OMG I hear Celine Dion AGAIN here... what's the deal?? Random. Anyway... moving on... We went to Mullet Bay - still can't get over it - and it was beautiful... a small beach with hire chairs and umbrellas... we got an umbrella and sat a while, drank some beer (beer being the beer I jokingly said I wanted in the supermarket earlier that J took literally and bought), and swam some.

He had brought snorkeling gear, but only one set, so I at one point went out and saw some fishies by the rocks, and lost my labret ring that I stupidly wear without a ball these days... We made friends with some nearby peeps - a couple about my age studying to be doctors at the local US university and an aging, overweight couple from NY thinking about buying a house here. Cool.

So, finally, after fried chicken, rice, about 8 beers including those drunk in the water, some swimming, snorkeling, a discreet tear shed about my boy and the setting sun... we left. There was a momentary thought about another bar, dismissed shortly, and we headed home.

I like being home this early. We had a short stop at the cafe with internet, that for some reason couldn't connect to my email, but other than that came back almost skulkily before realising we were super early. Before 8pm. So I started cooking a meal for J and I, then he had to leave to get the last bus... I'm now alone just eating my pasta and sausage meal. But super happy about the day. I think J and I will be great friends, I don't get a weird feeling about him at all - I mean he'd totally do it if he had the chance, but he's a gentleman. And he'd be pretty hard-assed if he tried anything after I cried on him. Yep, shed a tear in the afternoon sun. So what if I miss my boy?? I'm soft, get over it.

*Turns out it was my neighbour on a different number. Urgh, get the message!!