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SOTB II Trip Report - Day 5
SOTB II Trip Report - Day 5
Day 5 - Tuesday
Today was the first diving day for Sea-nile, Wounder Woman and myself. All the other girls went to Honeymoon for the forum gathering, which we joined later during the day. This report will cover the divers part of the morning and if we missed something at the Honeymoon beach party - please inform us with pictures and reports.
We had signed up for a two tank morning dive with Chris Sawyer dive operation, located at Caneel. Every one of us divers woke up very early, too excited to sleep. We have been waiting for this day for a long time.
We packed a cooler with sandwiches and drinks and drove to Caneel. Sea-nile drove and she is an excellent driver and got the honorable assignment of being the driver for the week of our car. We had arranged to meet Augie and Leslie at CS and they are a super nice couple. Augie was the one that made the reservations for the dive, which we really appreciate. We got all our equipment in order and paid for the dives and off we went. It was a brilliant calm day and we were all very exited (did I say that before)? Except for us there was one other couple onboard.
The boat was large with lots of space for us and all our equipment and other things. I really like dive boat that have lots of space. The only thing that didn't work on the boat was the toilet. Hm...I like a toilet that works, but most divers know that there are only two types of divers, those who pee in the wetsuit and those who lie about not doing it. But we didn't wear any wetsuits today, so then you know we all behaved.
Here's a photo of me, Augie and Leslie before the dive. Photo taken by Terese:
The sites were Mingo Bay and Mingo Passage. Data: first dive 50 ft for 51 minutes and second 40 ft for 44 minutes. Temperature 82F.
We had an Asian girl called Miki as our dive leader and she was very nice. We also had a captain that took care of the boat and helped us with lots of things during getting in and out of the water. CS dives strictly according to dive tables, which mean safe, which is good. But I had half the tank left on both dives (which I think most of us had). We could have dived longer. But we had the shortest surface interval I have experienced instead, only 33 minutes.
The first site was OK but the second was much better. Both sites had lots of soft corals and lots of different fishes. Again, the second site much more interesting if you ask me. No turtle, no shark and no rays, but a whole lot of other stuff.
Here are a couple of pictures of us:
Me (photo: Terese)
Sea-nile:
Diana (photo: Terese)
Here's a few pictures from the dives:
Banded cleaner shrimp:
French Grunt:
School of squirrelfish:
Barrel sponge:
Blue Chromis:
Too big French Angel:
Crab:
We were back at Caneel already at noon and we then headed to our car and picked up the lunch and drinks and then off to the path to Honeymoon beach. On the way there, we saw a cute iguana, but we had so many things in our hands, so no one could take pictures. I just love iguanas, and was on constant search for them.
After a hot walk, we reached the others at Honeymoon and they all looked like they had a great time. It was so nice to meet all, like the DNA group, Pia. Jorge, Ruth, Theshopper3, nascarfan, Bug and even some lurkers that introduced themselves as lurkersJ. Sorry, if I forget anyone.
We spent the day swimming, snorkeling, relaxing it maybe had a drink or two.
Honeymoon beach:
Forum gathering:
SOTB sisters:
We went home about 4.30 pm had some lazy time at the villa.
Here's a photo of me checking my dive computer for data. (Photo: Karen):
In the evening some of us, had dinner and Margaritas at Margarita Phils. It was really nice. Here is Jayseadee with her delicius meal (photo: Terese):
After dinner we went for some shopping/browsing at Freebird. I have a feeling that some girls found really nice things there, like bracelets, but I am not sure.
Last visit for the night, was a quick stop for a Lime and Coconut at Beach Bar where we met RickG and his gang. Also a very warm thank you for the drink to Jorge!
No bedtime story needed after that day! I bet I smiled when I fell asleep
Today was the first diving day for Sea-nile, Wounder Woman and myself. All the other girls went to Honeymoon for the forum gathering, which we joined later during the day. This report will cover the divers part of the morning and if we missed something at the Honeymoon beach party - please inform us with pictures and reports.
We had signed up for a two tank morning dive with Chris Sawyer dive operation, located at Caneel. Every one of us divers woke up very early, too excited to sleep. We have been waiting for this day for a long time.
We packed a cooler with sandwiches and drinks and drove to Caneel. Sea-nile drove and she is an excellent driver and got the honorable assignment of being the driver for the week of our car. We had arranged to meet Augie and Leslie at CS and they are a super nice couple. Augie was the one that made the reservations for the dive, which we really appreciate. We got all our equipment in order and paid for the dives and off we went. It was a brilliant calm day and we were all very exited (did I say that before)? Except for us there was one other couple onboard.
The boat was large with lots of space for us and all our equipment and other things. I really like dive boat that have lots of space. The only thing that didn't work on the boat was the toilet. Hm...I like a toilet that works, but most divers know that there are only two types of divers, those who pee in the wetsuit and those who lie about not doing it. But we didn't wear any wetsuits today, so then you know we all behaved.
Here's a photo of me, Augie and Leslie before the dive. Photo taken by Terese:
The sites were Mingo Bay and Mingo Passage. Data: first dive 50 ft for 51 minutes and second 40 ft for 44 minutes. Temperature 82F.
We had an Asian girl called Miki as our dive leader and she was very nice. We also had a captain that took care of the boat and helped us with lots of things during getting in and out of the water. CS dives strictly according to dive tables, which mean safe, which is good. But I had half the tank left on both dives (which I think most of us had). We could have dived longer. But we had the shortest surface interval I have experienced instead, only 33 minutes.
The first site was OK but the second was much better. Both sites had lots of soft corals and lots of different fishes. Again, the second site much more interesting if you ask me. No turtle, no shark and no rays, but a whole lot of other stuff.
Here are a couple of pictures of us:
Me (photo: Terese)
Sea-nile:
Diana (photo: Terese)
Here's a few pictures from the dives:
Banded cleaner shrimp:
French Grunt:
School of squirrelfish:
Barrel sponge:
Blue Chromis:
Too big French Angel:
Crab:
We were back at Caneel already at noon and we then headed to our car and picked up the lunch and drinks and then off to the path to Honeymoon beach. On the way there, we saw a cute iguana, but we had so many things in our hands, so no one could take pictures. I just love iguanas, and was on constant search for them.
After a hot walk, we reached the others at Honeymoon and they all looked like they had a great time. It was so nice to meet all, like the DNA group, Pia. Jorge, Ruth, Theshopper3, nascarfan, Bug and even some lurkers that introduced themselves as lurkersJ. Sorry, if I forget anyone.
We spent the day swimming, snorkeling, relaxing it maybe had a drink or two.
Honeymoon beach:
Forum gathering:
SOTB sisters:
We went home about 4.30 pm had some lazy time at the villa.
Here's a photo of me checking my dive computer for data. (Photo: Karen):
In the evening some of us, had dinner and Margaritas at Margarita Phils. It was really nice. Here is Jayseadee with her delicius meal (photo: Terese):
After dinner we went for some shopping/browsing at Freebird. I have a feeling that some girls found really nice things there, like bracelets, but I am not sure.
Last visit for the night, was a quick stop for a Lime and Coconut at Beach Bar where we met RickG and his gang. Also a very warm thank you for the drink to Jorge!
No bedtime story needed after that day! I bet I smiled when I fell asleep
Thanks! I really don't know what kind of crab it is. There is a really good series of books (Written by Paul Humman and Ned Loch) describing Reef Fish, Reef Critters and Corals in the Caribbean. I only have the Fish ID book, but I am getting the others also. If/when I find out exactly what it is, I will let you know. Maybe someone else can tell you, as I know several forumites that have that book.Anthony wrote:Just what kind of crab is that? I don't think I have ever seen anything like that before - very interesting. Great photos!
Sorry for not being able to help!
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Jo Ann - VA
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msgcolleen
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Loved your report & pics Maggy! I would love to learn how to scuba dive someday! Maybe SOTB III?? 
I've got 2 tickets to paradise~Pack your bags we'll leave tonight!
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
Great job Maggy!
I just wanted to add that the snorkeling was pretty good at Honeymoon. I saw a lot of Angelfish and parrot fish, some French Grunts, tangs and assorted other fish that I still need to identify.
Here is a B-as-u-r fish:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/3031993967/" title="Nov 08 sotb 2 315 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/303 ... 649247.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Nov 08 sotb 2 315"></a>
Grey Angelfish:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/3031993349/" title="Nov 08 sotb 2 318 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/303 ... bcc4b6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Nov 08 sotb 2 318"></a>
Love the color on this one:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/3032833844/" title="Nov 08 sotb 2 316 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/303 ... a4fa5d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Nov 08 sotb 2 316"></a>
It was a really fun day. They all were!
I just wanted to add that the snorkeling was pretty good at Honeymoon. I saw a lot of Angelfish and parrot fish, some French Grunts, tangs and assorted other fish that I still need to identify.
Here is a B-as-u-r fish:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/3031993967/" title="Nov 08 sotb 2 315 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/303 ... 649247.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Nov 08 sotb 2 315"></a>
Grey Angelfish:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/3031993349/" title="Nov 08 sotb 2 318 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/303 ... bcc4b6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Nov 08 sotb 2 318"></a>
Love the color on this one:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/3032833844/" title="Nov 08 sotb 2 316 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/303 ... a4fa5d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Nov 08 sotb 2 316"></a>
It was a really fun day. They all were!
Last edited by sea-nile on Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
In case anyone is wondering - Yes, I ate the whole thing 
I think it was called an "Upside Down Chalupa".
For the non-divers, it was a slow moving morning. I'll admit, I was a bit antsy because I just love being on the beach, but others were very content just looking at this for awhile.
And while the divers were treated to the brilliant colors under the sea, the rest of us were treated by colors over the sea!
Yup - another great day!
I think it was called an "Upside Down Chalupa".For the non-divers, it was a slow moving morning. I'll admit, I was a bit antsy because I just love being on the beach, but others were very content just looking at this for awhile.
And while the divers were treated to the brilliant colors under the sea, the rest of us were treated by colors over the sea!
Yup - another great day!
janet
