Mauritius

We had a nice day-long break on the tiny island of Mauritius yesterday. (It’s located east of Madagascar incase you were wondering.) Marisa and a couple of our friends and I had a SAS trip planned for the morning hours and planned to just lay on the beach for the rest of the day. Our morning trip was in a submarine down to the bottom of the sea to view the underwater marine creatures. The five of us decided to take the smaller of the only 2 submarines in the Indian Ocean, and got extremely lucky to have a panoramic view of the sea while the 10-seater only had dainty little portholes to peer out of. We saw numerous species of cute little fishies and also a shipwreck of a Japanese fishing boat. By the time we finished up with our excursion we didn’t have time to travel all the way to the beaches since we had to be back on the ship by 8 so we just went to a little restaurant on the waterfront and had delicious food and drinks. We took a water taxi back to our ship and enjoyed the BBQ! The day went by way too fast but the island was SO dazzling it was a fabulous break from the ship.

TODAY was also quite an entertaining one. We didn’t have classes, and instead had SEA OLYMPICS SPRING 09! Competitions included but were not limited to: dodge ball, limbo, twister, pictionary, spelling bee, volleyball, weight lifting, mashed potato sculpting, flip cup, and a finale of synchronized swimming. (If I ever figure out how to let you view the videos I have been taking, these will provide plenty of laughs.) Marisa and I were signed up to participate in flip cup, but with the excitement in the air, the table filled rather quickly and we were left in the audience. Our floor, the Caribbean Convicts, did very poorly and I think have one puny little bronze medal. I was put under the impression that the winners would be allowed to disembark the ship 1st in Fort Lauderdale, but I don’t think I’ll be ready to leave first anyways, so I’m not bothered.

I have 3 midterms and a major project due in the next 3 days so you will not be hearing from me. Then I’ll be in India and I’m certain I’ll have plenty to say about that trip.

Side-note: I gave up the snack bar for lent. Still going strong! But the spa was giving discounted massages today, and Marisa and I enjoyed an ultra relaxing “7 seas massage” so I guess my (generalized term) money will still be floating around various amenities of the ship anyways…

MOM & DAD I’m VERRRRRRRRY excited to see you so soooooon! Dares too, I suppose.