While vacationing with friends one October, we decided to take one of or days and head to the Keys for snorkeling. Our friend had the car, a small, cramped Honda Fit. The comfort factor was not bad for me as I got shot gun, however for the three men in the back it was a different story. They were hot, sweaty and sleepy. Jon even fell asleep on Bill's shoulder (a very cute picture I might add). The ride was long and we were in a cycle of speed up, slow down, speed up, no radio, road rage trucker and slow down, which made our anticipation all the more palpable.
Finally we get to Key Largo. Now we just need to find the snorkel shop, oh that's right directions are my job. Okay, so after getting us lost we find the little surf shack surrounded by nothing that resembled water. Hmmmm, let's start asking questions about the reputation of this err company.
We get further directions and meet our boat by the water. There are about 15 other snorkelers aboard and we're all excited and antsy to get into the water.
First stop, swim to the reef, but don't touch the coral. Sounds easy enough? Wrong, reef rash on my leg. Not touching the coral, which is all around and close to the surface, is hard in my case. I have an aversion to fish. So, why snorkel? When in Rome!
Back to the boat to head to the second stop, but the water is now much more choppy. Our little passenger boat is flailing around in the surf. All of a sudden I get this unknown feeling, I'm queasy and hot. Oh, and I know this stomach churning feeling, I'm going to throw up. So, I head for the part of the boat designated for those who are seasick and start vomiting.
After throwing up in one minute intervals, we arrive at our second spot. By this time I am feeling a bit too under the weather to snorkel, but the instructor tells me I should get into the water because moving with the waves will make me less sea sick (I think he secretly took joy in making patrons puke). So, I'm treading water out by the foot of the boat, hanging onto a nylon rope so I don't get swept away. Then I look around, there are about five others doing the same thing. Are they all sea sick too?
Back on the boat to head to the third stop. By now, the boat's sick bay is crowded. All but one of my friends are with me, hanging off the edge of the boat. At one point Michael yells out and moves. Apparently someone got sick from the upper deck of the boat and what came out landed on his shoulder. Then, startled at another noise, we turn and Bill takes a revolting picture of us with a look in our eyes that can only mean, we'll get you for this. And we did in a way.
The third stop is a longer distance away. About half way there, after we are all feeling well enough to get away from the sick side of the boat, but Bill runs over and starts hurling the contents of his stomach. So we of course, stop to take a picture and taunt him. Ahhh, sweet revenge.
No one wanted to snorkel at the third stop so we picked up the speed (thankfully because the faster we went the less sick we felt) and we all relaxed with sprite and ginger ale on the bow of the boat as we headed back to land.
I won the record for throwing up the most times during our excursion, nine times. Wait, I paid how much to throw up while in the Florida Keys? Next time I'll know to make sure to pack seasickness medication and some Pepto just to be safe.
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