Maya Key...and a turtle!

Well today involved a 40 minute boat ride to an island called 'Maya Key'.  There a pool, lunch, white sandy beach, and a mini zoo were waiting for us.  Also on the island were replica Mayan ruins. 

After chilling on the beach for a while, we ate lunch then swam around in the pool for awhile, while waiting for our tour to begin.  The tour was led by the lead vet, a guy named Baird.  On the island is an animal rehabilition clinic.  Some of the animals we saw were: howler monkeys, an anteater, green parrots, macaws, an ocelet (a mini jaguar), an acutal jaguar, toucans, spider monkeys, baby saltwater crocodiles, and lastly, a pink boa.  Pics below.

The iguana was chilling on the patio where everyone was eating lunch.

As requested, here are some pics of my room, plus the two geckos.

Lastly, on our second dive of the day, the 'sponge ID dive', we found a hawksbill sea turtle.  Our divemaster, Marvin, found it and alerted us.  Then he gave his signal for 'turtle' and pointed it out.  Seconds later, it swam out from under the reef into full view.  It looked up at us and continued swimming along.  We watched it for awhile until it was no longer in view.  I have to say...definately one of the highlights of the trip...if not my life.