Laura beach... At last!

Since we were rained out of our plans to go to Laura beach on Saturday, we tried to figure out another day that we could go to Laura since we had plans on Sunday (a BBQ to celebrate father day, among other things).  On Sunday morning, I thought to myself, wow what a beautiful day to go to the beach, but since we already had plans, we decided not to go.  After a late breakfast (because we waited 1 hour for our food), Chris said that he wanted to go swimming so we decided to go to Laura at the last minute.  We picked everything up and drove out to Laura.  It only took us 1 hour, surprisingly.  I thought it would take us 2 hours.  Fine with us-More time to swim!

Video of Chris discussing the drive to Laura  https://youtu.be/dW48bBZJSJc

We arrived the beach, found a spot (my usual spot) and set up the hammock.  I didn't feel like swimming so I relaxed in my hammock and read a book.  Chris was mesmerized by the shades of the water.  There were many different shades of blue!

Us with lagoon water behind us

Chris went snorkeling right at the spot where ocean and lagoon waters mix and used the camera to take underwater videos and shots.

YouTube links of fish underwater: https://youtu.be/8EL5dNBgFso and https://youtu.be/ceyuIzmPWWQ

Huge fish that Chris found.

Shot of Laura beach from the water 

After about an hour, it started getting windier and we had a few scattered showers.  You could see the waves getting stronger so Chris decided to come back to shore and then go to the Oceanside for a short swim.  We decided it was time to leave because the sky was turning dark. 

Chris in the Oceanside water

Oceanside water 

This is what the edge of Majuro looks like (at the tip of Laura) (L-R: oceanside, Chris, lagoon)

On the way to Laura, we saw many roadside stands selling Marshallese delicacies so we decided to try to find pandanus for Chris to try on the way back.  We didn't find any, but we got iq (coconut, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and sugar drink) and bobo balls (rice made with coconut milk and rolled in coconut flakes).  Enno (delicious)!

Based on previous knowledge of Marshallese time, I had assumed that the BBQ would be at around 7-8 so that would give us time to swim, and get to the BBQ at Chinilla's house with some time to spare.  Well, I was wrong-we got there at around 4 and they had already eaten.  Oops!  Chinilla said that she forgot to let me know that the BBQ would be earlier.  Ah well! I saw many of Chinilla's family.  It was good to see them and catch up.  

On the way back to the hotel, we decided to stop by the bridge (highest point in the entire country at 10 feet high).  

Us with dock and ocean water behind us

Shot of the bridge from the dock (L-R: Oceanside, bridge, dock, oceanside)

And here is a video of me walking to the end of the dock carefully because there were lots of algae on the concrete...  and trying not to get wet.. :) https://youtu.be/EivDxkFAM6M