Trip to Manzanillo

We were all to meet for breakfast at 8:30 am. We picked up others with our group because they wanted to go on a trip that seemed a little more adventurous. We met at the ferry at 10, and off to Barra we went. Got to the bus station. Paid $5 for a first class trip ticket to Manzanillo, 45 minutes one way. There was tv and everything, so it made the trip a little shorter. When we arrived at the huge bus station we asked a taxi driver about the zip line we had come to ride. He said it was closed, so we were all really bummed. We went into the town square to see about shopping when we came across a tourist booth and a woman who spoke English very well. We asked about a zip line and she knew of a new one that was open. He came down to get us in his huge van. We had taken 14 people to Manzanillo (thanks to Lee’s Spanish). 4 people decided not to stay, afraid of the zip line, I guess. This guy let us stop and get some chicken on the street. We saw some missionaries, so Lee and I talked to them a little bit. Met the branch president who ran a little tailor shop. Next we went to his little place up in the mountains.

A black beach. Incredible. We climbed up a little mountain all strapped into our harnesses, and waited our turn. I went 2nd. I got up more nerve to do things on this trip than I ever thought I would. The first step was extremely scary, but the ride was exhilarating!!! We all landed on the beach, then we sat under the little umbrellas as some of our group went boogie boarding, some out on the sea-doo, some fishing.

The ten of us had the entire place to ourselves. There were atvs, bikes, kayaks, a trampoline, it was really fun. That was by far the best day of our trip. The ten of us close friends hanging out on the peaceful beach. Thrilling and fun and relaxing all in one day. We thanked the tour guide profusely and asked if we could pay him extra to take us to the main bus station, but he did it for free, said it was on his way.

There were not enough seats for all of us to get on the bus. So, we sent all but Lee, me, Colleen and Dan back on the first bus because we knew we would be more likely to be able to get back to town without help. Our bus took off 30 minutes later, but it took to rural route so it was a 1.5 hour ride, when our friends only took 45 minutes. Still, they waited for us before they ate. We ate at an Italian restaurant together in Barra. Another incredible day!!