Two years ago I had never heard of the blue grotto. The human fish, aka Scuba Steve, saw some sort of look of the world’s most amazing swimming holes, with the Blue Grotto atop the list. Seeing pictures did not nearly prepare me for the incredible beauty inside. In fact, if you are able to swim in the blue grotto, it is imperative to bring a snorkel mask with you to see where the grotto gets its magnificent blue color from, an archway actually under the entrance! Additionally, I have a post coming later on the ultimate insanity on getting inside during normal operating hours so stay tuned for my turn “snuggling” with an Austrian woman. Until then, enjoy this iPhone 6 pic inside the Grotto Azura, a little blurry but you get the idea.
Up to 15 boats can fit into the Blue Grotto at one time, it is SO big!
Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to surf. My mom and I watched the movie Gidget and I was hooked. She could surf, she could hang with the incredibly handsome boys, and she just made everything look so easy (minus her approach to snagging her crush). So at 28, I still hadn’t tried surfing, and that was about to change.
The last leg of our honeymoon had us staying in Noosa Heads. We follow the Starwood Hotels, what can I say? Noosa, known for being the Hamptons of Australia, is also known for some of the best surfing spots in the country, so we had to sign up. As part of our surfing lessons, we spent some time on shore learning the proper stance, how to jump on the board, and just get our muscle memory going. Our group consisted of a few girls from New Zealand, and a young boy who took lessons a few times a week. After some time on land, it was time to test our skills in the ocean.
The waves were about 4-6 feet high, and were so hard to navigate. Half the battle with learning to surf is just actually getting out far enough. Once we made it out, the instructor helped us get on board, push off and would scream “STAND!” when the time was right. Stand I did not. My husband on the other hand, stood up on his first try and gave everyone the peace sign as he rode on by. I’m competitive, and I was pissed.
So after riding the surf in on my belly, I gathered the board and battled the current again in order to catch a wave, shoot the curl, hang 10, etc. Again, I didn’t stand. And again, I headed back into the sea, battling the waves, and the exhaustion that comes with it. With each time I got closer and closer to standing and staying up, but each time I failed. After what seemed like hours, the lesson was done, and I had not stood on my board. I was disappointed, but more completely sore and exhausted. And so was my husband.
The result: cocktails in the hot tub at the hotel.
At the next opportunity, I fully intend on trying surfing again, and at least this time I will know it’s not nearly as easy as Sandra Dee and the green screen made it seem. At least I already have my Moon Doggie. 😉
I mean look at these men! Who wouldn’t want to learn to surf if this was at the end of every lesson??
Today’s pic of the week is incredibly timely. I head up to Martha’s Vineyard tonight for a few more days of summer in the USofA. With this trip being my second time to the Vineyard, I’m excited for another round of late night treats at Back Door Donuts, delicious seafood, and the beautiful gingerbread cottages of Oak Bluffs.
The photo seen below, taken in Vineyard Haven, outside, you guessed it, the Black Dog Cafe.
A black dog outside the Black Dog Cafe, Vineyard Haven, Martha’s Vineyard.
The Great Barrier Reef was a cool and incredible adventure on so many levels that I’ve blogged about in a few posts now, refreshers here, here, and here. Being able to walk from the beach into the sea and be surrounded by the world’s largest reef system and immediately see fish, turtles, and large purple sea fans, was just incredible.
We’ll call this pic of the week a big tease. We are in the midst of posting on my Australian honeymoon so we will get to St. John in a little bit, but until then, enjoy the incredible beauty is that Trunk Bay.
Beautiful Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI. Is this place even real??
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