Munched on little PBJ sandwich that I made up at breakfast, some sun, and we’re back at it. This dive at Bangka Island follows the shoreline, around a jutting corner in the island, and then around the next shore a ways. Visibility is not as good as on the first dive because the sun has gone in (such a fickle one), but still good. Some current as we swim around the heads of coral that gradually grow into something of a wall. Nikko holds onto me when he spots something for us to see: blue and yellow nudibranchs, shrimp, cute juveniles and the ever popular frogfish. I am learning (I’m sure all you experienced divers already know this) to adjust my depth with only my breathing – pretty cool stuff. Anyway, as we get closer to the corner, the current speeds up and I feel like I am flying. No panic, although concerned no one else is flying and I will wing off into the deep all alone (but not to worry, I have my trusty whistle and red flag to raise if I end up alone, mom). I turn and look and Nikko is just behind me, but hard to see Frederico and Stephania. After a few moments more, we look back and cannot see them at all. Nikko takes my elbow and swims me toward the other group from our boat and signals to me to go join them while he goes back to look for his lost puppies. I do, but feel strangely out of place, adopted into another group. And I don’t have the hand signals to explain to them why they suddenly have a newcomer. It’s fine, though. After we’ve rounded the corner the current all but stops and we meander among the flowers, the fish and the fantastic fauna until it is time to ascend. Multitudes of the beautiful blue/yellow and white “heart” sponges, regal angelfish, a huge triggerfish, scads of clowns, tangs, surgeonfish, wrasse, parrots, snapper, some of the really cool razorfish, spikey puffers, butterfly, rock beauty, damselfish, blennies like they’re squirrels, etc etc etc. Again, I look around to take a picture in my mind, on my last dive in Indonesia for a while. Finally we get the up sign and because we have been cruising for the past 20 minutes at fifteen to twenty feet and that, in effect, was our safety stop. Up on board was my home team. Hot tea for all and headed back to the resort. Pouring rain! Was going to go on the afternoon snorkel, but they cancel it because of rough waters. Spent a lazy afternoon relaxing, drinking in the geography around me and prepping to pack, ending it with a reflexology treatment and mini massage before dinner. Thinking at dinner how I’ll miss being able to walk in, sit down, have someone greet me “Hello, Debi, how was your day”, and then take my order off of a menu. No shopping, no cooking , no dishes and no worrying about money, since it’s all included. Just trying to be sure I appreciate each moment to the fullest, although my monkey brain always wants to distract me into thinking about things far in the future. Boat, car and two plane rides back to Bali tomorrow,where I’ll overnight in the ex-pat beach town of Sanur. Wednesday afternoon back on a plane for the states. California, here I come! And get to kiss all my chickens soon after I arrive. What a great return – topping it off with dancing in the desert. But don’t worry Boulderites, I’ll be happy to see all of you when it’s done, and settle back into my home with my bad dog (and finally post all the pictures into the blog). So, until next time…xoxoxoxox