A Magical Experience

After we went to the rainforest we then drove further up to a dock in Farjardo to see the Bioluminescent Bay. There are only 5 in the world, three of which are in Puerto Rico, but only one is working at the moment in Puerto Rico. Esmie and I kayaked for about 30 minutes in a small grove of trees to get to the enclosed bay. I felt at peace while we kayaked our way there, it was dark but the trees above me were serene and it was a lovely ride to be quite honest. 

Thanks for photo bombing dude!

Life jackets aren't my thing...

 

The organisms that produce this light are called Pyrodinium Bahamense, or Dinoflagellates. 

When the “dinos” come into contact with another organism or are shaken they produce a bright burst of blue light. The reason these organisms are doing so well is because they are protected by the mangroves surrounding the bay. The reason the other two bays are very dim currently are because people like to swim in these waters, but the lotions and oils on our skin kill these precious organisms and make it almost impossible for them to glow. It was a magical sight to see them in the water. As you row the water lights up a very light blue color. Esmie and I had fun putting our hands in the water and shaking it around. It was like something you see in a movie! You can’t capture what it looks like because nothing shows up in the picture, so it’s just something you have to see in person. This is the best picture I could find online that is photo shopped but that portrays what it looks like when you have your paddles in the water. Cool, huh?

 

My favorite moment of this trip was seeing how happy Esmie was. Haha she got so caught up in the organisms she near about tipped us! She put her whole hand in the water and began splashing like a little kid, but precious Esmie forgot how heavy I was! The kayak about tipped and then a nice elderly man saw what was happening and pushed me back up. Haha Glad we made it ok!

 

I am so glad I had the opportunity to see the Bio Bay, who knows if it will be around in another 40 years. I would like to think the government will keep working hard to preserve it, but you never know really. It was a magical experience, one that you have to have for yourself, since we both know pictures won’t do it justice!

 

The Group