That same afternoon...

…began with a rescue!

Our afternoon tour was meeting on the harbour, so I joined a group of people waiting patiently for a tender to arrive. It seemed to take rather longer than usual but we boarded without trouble and set off for the shore. My Hero had decided not to join me this afternoon, since the highlight was to be swimming. He preferred to stay on the ship, to relax and to stay dry.

We'd no sooner set off on the short journey when the tender Captain announced that we would be stopping along the way to for some people to come on board half way across. One of our tenders had got caught up in a rope attached to a small boat and this rope had become entangled. So, half way across, we stopped alongside, the seamen prepared the doorway and assisted each of the passengers to step over safely. (Lesley, thankfully, no Breeches Buoy was required 😉 } The process successfully completed, we continued on our way towards the harbour. (The stricken tender wasn't there when we returned so all was well)

My tour - schooner and swim - was to be on board the Bardot which was moored on the pier alongside the tender station. I didn't manage to get a photo of the distinctive blue and white hull but we passed a couple of similar vessels operating a similar offering.

Each one was playing music at varying volumes as it went. One more contemporary styled boat seemed to be a real party ship with dancing and way more activity than the Bardot, which was populated by a more sedate bunch, happy to cruise along to the sound of Ed Sheeran and sit chatting until activity was called for.

As on similar, previous occasions, the young men were on hand to do the hard work.

As we turned the headland and arrived by the Joao Fernadez beach that we'd seen this morning, I noticed three boats already there, at anchor, with people swimming around them. Within ten minutes, we had joined them.

Now, getting into the water from this high sided boat wasn't easy. One of two brave souls dived straight in from the side whilst those of us with a more cautious approach used the ladder and jumped or fell in from wherever we could get a secure footing.

The water was cool and refreshing and it was a delight to swim freely in this lovely setting. I had forgotten the difference salt water makes for buoyancy and this very salty water made swimming quite tricky - I was too high in the water to swim normally. Never mind, it was lovely just to “hang” there, to float and gaze at the blue sky above and just relax, for it needed no effort whatsoever.

When the time came to return to the boat, we discovered that getting back up that ladder was far from easy and it took time for each of us to haul ourselves out of the water. One by one we made it, the anchor was raised and off we went, to our second swimming place.

This involved sailing past Voyager, enabling me to take a few photos from “the other side”.

We have an aft suite on the corner this time, so I was looking out to see if my hero was sitting on the verandah. Maybe he was, but I couldn't see him!

Our second swimming stop was at the Praia da Tortugas and sure enough, we spotted one or two turtles swimming along which was fun. But there was a really strong current here too as those who got in the water early discovered. As I waited in the line approaching the ladder, I watched as one gentleman tried to swim back to the boat. I could see him struggling and was glad that the young man responsible for our safety had noticed too and gave him a hand. One by one, those already in the water were choosing to return and after a few minutes, before I had got in for a second swim, the safety chap had blown a whistle and called everyone back because of the current.

He made sure everyone was back before putting the ladder up!

Disappointing really, but I had enjoyed a really lovely float around in the water and was happy to avoid the risk of ending this afternoon with another rescue!

Just before we left, a small boat approached and a chap climbed on board. The captain of Bardot made an announcement over the loudspeaker, “this man says he is selling Amazonian Viagra. It's not Viagra, it doesn't come from the Amazon and he isn't an Indian”. I was still processing that information, wondering why he'd been allowed on board, when he came round selling cashew nuts! Errrmmm?

The journey back to the pier was quick, thanks to the current and the stiff breeze that had blown up. The parasurfer in the bay was having a wonderful time, achieving amazing speeds as he zipped across the water. As he came near Bardot, he did a somersault high in the air, prompting a round of applause and cheers from those of us on board.

I was pleased I had chosen to take the tour, though would have appreciated clearer details of what was involved (as I imagine, would many of my fellow swimmers). Better access in and out of the water would be my priority. One thing was sure, my Hero made exactly the right decision to hand his ticket in and stay on board. Someone would be glad of a last minute opportunity to go and he'd have got very little from the trip without swimming.

The good thing is that I was back in time for Trivia. Even better, our instantly formed team came second!