When we woke up it was raining heavily and the temperature had dropped to 15C, but after breakfast we were surprised at how quickly the weather had changed to dry, sunny and only a bit cloudy, although no sign of yesterday's tropical humid heat. We were both in long sleeves and insect repelled to the max in preparation for our morning excursion by coach to the swamps. This was a short drive from the port, over bridges, alongside canals, past levies (still to understand) - then into our flat boat c/o captain Dave in search of alligators, turtles including alligator turtles with very hard shells and sharp teeth, bald eagles, cormorants. Other language we learned - bayou (natural waterway) canal (man made) swamp, marsh, wetlands. Dave spoke to the alligators with a special voice, that reminded me of an old neighbour of ours who used a similar voce with his pigeons!
And then on sailing away a most spectacular thunder storm squally showers and surface mist. Fog Horns!
Once back and revitalised it was time for dinner.
OMG I sat next to a bit of an idiot. I noticed that he was really tense. Seemed not to want to engage, so I asked what he enjoyed, he said running and triathlon. But what came next was a big surprise. He said nurses these days area all crap, all in it for the money, don't think twice about taking time off sick with stress and then coming on a cruise. I was a bit shocked to hear the tirade and just said "that's not my experience!" although I felt like screaming at him by the time he'd finished rubbishing my life's work! Khachik on the other hand was sitting opposite me and closer to the idiot's wife, who was called Anne and was very, very good to talk to. Ah well, it takes all sorts.
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