Labadee Full Throttle

We arrived in Labadee, Haiti at about 7 AM this morning. It was a little hazy but already a hot morning. After loading onto tender boats, we set foot on the tiny RC island of Labadee. Because the island is owned by RC, all amenities are provided by the cruise line staff.

First order of business was to find a hammock, which we located rather quickly. We spent about an hour relaxing and enjoying the sounds of the Caribbean. I have always wanted to enjoy a hammock on a beach island and was able to enjoy that experience today.

We then decided to explore the island, which included walking through a traditional Haitian marketplace. Locals were selling their items which consisted mostly of wood work and paintings. The vendors would say, "come, I want to show you someting.... no pressure." And then they would apply enormous amounts of pressure. Some would place items in your hands and then start dikering price with you. It really irritated me that some of the vendors felt that we owed them the chance to give us their pitch. Not all were rude and we did end up purchasing some wooden flutes for our boys but I didn't particularly enjoy the experience.

After exploring the island for a little we decided on somewhat of a whim to see if they had any waverunners available. We got in the 11:05 AM Full Throttle tour of the island. Now if Steve had told me that this was called Full Throttle there is no way I would have agreed to do this. But, thinking that I have ridden on jet skies before and ridden snowmobiles plenty of times, and given the fact that Steve really wanted to do this, I agreed.

We sat through an 8 minute safety video and then suited up in life vests. Steve's vest came with rollers attached to his sides jokingly referred to as "love handles" but which i will forever call "hold on for your ever loving life" handles. They were the main method by which I stayed on the ski.

They number the skiis (1-10 and we were #4) then the "chase" (guide who follows everyone else) yells out when it is OK for #1 to go, etc. So the instructor takes off, then 1,2 and 3 (all experienced riders) go shooting off. Looks easy enough. They call 4 and we go hurtling towards the ocean.

We know fully understand that skis and sleds are very different creatures and act very differently. It took Steve a little while to get used to stearing and with me on the back of the ski, gripping with all my might, I am sure it was even more challenging. They are very specific that you have to keep in the wake of the ski ahead of you or you can get lost. So Steve punches it and even though we have little control over turning, we hurtle towards the open ocean.

I couldn't decide if I was going to hurl from the wave action or from the fear instantly engaged when we shot out past the cruise ship anchored in the harbor. By the time we stopped for the first of what would prove to be many breaks, I was shaking and telling Steve "I don't think I like this very much." Steve later admitted that he wondered what he had gotten us into.

Luckily, we got the hang of it in the next round and it actually became a really fun trip. We have no idea exactly how fast we were going but these are 2008 brand new Skeedos and Steve had it full throttle. Guess the tour lived up to its name. We splashed, crashed and bounded our way across the ocean and along the shoreline of Labadee. A few particularly large waves met us with slaps of salty sea water directly in our faces and eyes.

The guide was great and while not everyone was able to keep up (I will have to blog more later about Speedy Spanish Couple and The Woman Whose Mouth Wrote Checks Her Body Couldn't Cash later), we all made it back safe and sound.

We are so incredily glad that we tried this - something new that turned out to be a great adventure!

Spent the remainder of the afternoon lounging in the sun on the sand. Tomorrow we stop in Jamaica (yah, man) for our next adventure.