Secret Harbor 2022

We went to Secret Harbor after a half day at Magens (because the kids picked it) After arriving, it was just like last time we were here... they only have parking for maybe 5 guests that are not staying there. It was later in the day so no parking for us. I reminded the hubby that guests parking is ALL the way UP the steep hill and ask if he remembered how Billy (my son in law)  had dropped us off and then walked down the hill. Well, since none of us (other than Sakari) had walked down that hill, none of us really knew just how far up we would be going. Sakari didn't let on just how far it was. 

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We went up and up and up. Geesh! I'm going to have to walk down this? With bags? And chairs? This was not going to be fun at all.  So off we went.

The girls were anxious and way ahead of us. Of course I can't walk very fast either.

They were very anxious! They were completely out of our sight and down the hill by the time we got around the first corner.

Finally we made it down to the beach. It was beautiful just like before. I really liked this place last time (other than going on our 15 minute scuba diving adventure) and I actually thought about booking a place here to stay this time around. 

However, when we looked out on the water, we didn't see the floating dock now. Hmmm, what happened to it? Are you sure it's not there?

We found a spot under the trees (the great thing about this place is that there is plenty of shade here) and I was ready to head for snorkeling...of course. Times a wasting. 

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For some reason, Sakari didn't want to come. She said her legs were aching. She sat down and decided she was going to draw on her ipad instead. Her friend was ready to go out. Great! I have a snorkeling buddy that is as enthusiastic as I was to go. So, off we went over to the other side of the water. 

We found a spot under the tress (the great thing about this place is that there is plenty of shade here) and I was ready to head for snorkeling...of course. Times a wasting. 

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We seen a few blue tangs and damsels.

I found a sea urchin and brought it up for Kiera to hold. I explained to her the difference between this "nice" urchin and the "mean" urchins that are black or the red and black that would be awaiting to eagerly hurt her at any minute. Do not touch!

Honestly, I didn't think we were seeing much. It was very disappointing. I didn't feel like there was as much coral or fish like there was the last time. What is going on?

Former Amber Penshell, but it was empty (type of oyster)

Aww, it looks like a heart (below)

A cluster of Variegated Feather Duster Worms

Then before we decided we would head back and across the water in the sandy area, I spotted this beauty:

I motioned her over and she squealed with excitement. Her very first stingray in the wild. She was wanting to see one so badly. Now she could mark it off her bucket list. 

Then we spotted a turtle. I just knew we would see them here. 

More magnificent feather dusters and variegated worms.

We came across a school of fish. Then we noticed that there was a guy above, floating on floatie and these fish were following his shadow in the water. It was so funny. 

A cute little squirrel fish starring back at me. 

Aww, that face :( 

So sad.

A pretty split crown feather duster.

We arrived back to our spot on the beach and found that Sakari had been a little busy with the sand.

The trees on the beach were so pretty. Not only did they have palm trees but they had trees with pretty yellow flowers on them and they were falling on the sand and so pretty.

We sat under our trees as we waited for our bathing suits to dry off and along came a baby chicken. It kept hanging around us and looking for food. It was afraid at first, but it warmed up to us and got closer.

Sakari's friend just decided she was going to pick it up and comfort it. 

It actually went to sleep in her lap so I guess it felt REALLY comfortable. 

Sakari was on a mission to find this bird some food. She searched the entire beach and there were no little scraps left around by any munchkins. Soooooo....she checked the trash can. Yep, the trash can. She noticed a pizza box in there. She had me cover for her so no one would see and she went in like a ninja and grabbed the box and ran. Inside were a few pizza ends of bread and the girls gave it to the bird. It gobbled it up like it hadn't ate for days. They fed it until it was no longer hungry and the girls had done their good deed for the day.

It was time to pack up and leave and we had a long haul up a steep hill ahead of us. But...I managed to talk the hubby into doing the haul for us while we waited down below. I knew there was no way I would be able to climb that hill to the car. We said our good-byes as he ventured up to the car.

I used my locater to see if he had made it up the hill yet. The poor soul.