Well, not really too deep. We have the choice to dive 3 times a day, but I choose a mellower pace of only two. Definitely need time to lounge around, although it doesn’t work out that way too many days.
We’re all assigned to a boat and that’s the boat and the group that we dive with for the whole week. The morning lineup:
Usually head up to breakfast about 7ish, on the boat by 8:15 for the 8:30 dive. Back at the dock a little before ten to warm up and grab a snack (that is, for people who don’t bring their thermos of hot tea and Bobo’s oat bar with them). Back on the boat 10:15ish and the same routine all over again. Nice that all the dive sites are a 5 – 10 minute ride away. Back a little before noon for lunch and a rest before the 2:30 dive. As I said, though, I participated in two a day. Usually not the 8:30 – I would go for a run or loll about.
On the boat are nice people and all kinds of temperaments and dive experience. Our guide Jeromie and boat captain JoJo are great fun and make it all so easy.
Visibility is okay at about 50ish feet and water temperature is only just acceptable for a wuss like me – a moderate 84 degrees – and I’m glad to use my new hooded vest to give me enough warmth to not be thinking about the chilly willies while down under. There’s a woman on my boat that makes me look tough: she’s wearing a skinsuit AND a 5 millimeter wetsuit AND a hood and puts on her fleece hat and top when she’s back in the boat.
Anyway, fun dives, going along the wall at about 70 feet on the way out, and back the same wall about 40 feet on the way back. Have to see who’s living at all the levels! I like it best when we can spend time hanging around the 30 foot deep coral gardens. Lots of exploring without being hurried to follow the group.
Lobsters, angel fish, tangs, and your garden variety fish. And some really big dudes cruising the reef…there are two now:
We spot lots of lionfish, a poisonous predator that has made its way from the Pacific and has no natural predator over here, so it’s really causing damage to the reefs. Boo hoo..
Afternoon nap on the hammock hanging on our back deck, covered and overlooking the surf. Not too bad….
Fiesta on Wednesday night, and Bert and I win best couples costume..oh yes, and the dance contest (and he wins the limbo contest). Aren’t we just so fun?
Quiet evenings otherwise. Finished reading “The Art of Racing in the Rain” and I LOVED LOVED LOVED it. Oh, so good. The story of a family told by the family dog, and sounds so right, like it could be, and so many life lessons and laughs. I highly recommend it. So good!!