more snorkeling stuff

Sometimes the call of the ocean is too much for us to handle and we go snorkeling even though we should be doing all kinds of responsible (boring) things like feeding our children and getting them ready for bed. Tonight was one of those nights. It was totally worth it!

I saw a black-blotched porcupinefish and a barracuda (far away enough and small enough that I didn't immediately get out of the ocean!).

Right before they rang the bell for Sa*, Clif saw a red firefish (from what I can tell, it's a type of scorpionfish also called a lionfish) near the shore and we all jumped in the ocean to see it. It was very impressive, but we didn't want to get too close because it's also very poisonous. We couldn't watch it for long, but we were all able to get a good look at it before we had to leave.

*I realized that I never explained Sa! It's a family prayer time that happens at dusk and sometimes at dawn, depending on the village. Certain people in the village ring bells (not real bells, big empty tanks that are hanging from posts or trees, I'll have to take some pictures) or blow conch shells and make sure everyone goes in their house to pray. They will either go inside their homes or a fale to sing and pray. People can't be out in the ocean or playing in the parks during Sa, everyone is supposed to be inside praying -at least theoretically, it's not like they monitor what you do inside the house. Some villages are really strict about Sa and others don't observe it as much. Technically you aren't supposed to drive or walk through a village during Sa either, but if you're on the main road then it's ok. They ring the bells or blow the horns again for curfew later (I think it's around 10, but I never paid much attention), but it's not followed as strictly as Sa. From what I hear, some of the people who enforced Sa in the past would occasionally get violent with people who weren't inside, but it's not an issue anymore.