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The View From Luna Vista - Day 6
The View From Luna Vista - Day 6
We got up early and drove into Cruz Bay (about 20 min.) only to find that we were too early. We hung out at the closed Beach Bar waiting for the Low Key staff to get ready to start the day. Soon after we sat down the other couple showed up. They needed to postpone the remainder of their lessons because she was congested. This meant that we had a 2:1 ratio with our new instructor, Andy.
We sailed to St James Island - a very private island where we completed some of our skills. These are some skills you hope you never have to do but should know just in case.
Andy took us back to the boat where we changed out our equipment for the second dive.
Captain Bob took us to Cow Island and in we went again. After a too short dive we sailed back to Low Key for our written test. We passed the test, filled out some forms and shot photographs. As many of you know, that means WE PASSED.
Low Key did a great job of getting us ready to dive. Ellen and Andy were very supportive, patient, and informative.
They were totally professional teachers and coaches. They didn't stop at telling us what to do or not to do. They told us why we were doing it as well. Although supportive, it was clear that paying the money and showing up was not going to assure success. The knowledge and skills were mandatory. Even the difficult skills had to be accomplished appropriately.
The support staff was equally helpful. We had a minor business issue with Low Key and spoke to Ann Marie about it. Within minutes she resolved the issue to everyone's satisfaction.
Prior to this trip, we debated the pros and cons offered by so many on the Forum. Each and every business offering SCUBA had both good and bad reviews. Based on our experience, we would have to recommend Low Key strongly. Every contact we had including Cooper, the new dog at Low Key, was a plus toward their overall score. In doing a fair and balanced evaluation, it is important to look at both those things that were outstanding and those that could be better. Captain Bob's demeanor was definitely more business based and time-driven. By comparison with Ann Marie, Ellen, Andy and Cooper who made us feel like family, Bob simply does not have that same warm and fuzzy personality. If you sign up to learn or dive from Low Key you need to know two things. First is that they have 10% coupons on their web site. They are good for merchandise, lessons or dives. Second, they have parking at their place for their customers. There is no need to drag your belongings through town to get to their boat. Their location is very close to the Beach Bar, Waterfront Bistro and the Banana Deck if you need some place to fill in your log books or study for the test. We did both.
We celebrated at Deli Grotto with another Grotto Chicken sandwich and tasty deserts. A drive along the North Shore Road with the photo stops was next.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2282/253 ... 1c2127.jpg
There's the obligatory Trunk Bay photo. Can I get into the club now?
We proceeded to Maho for a little snorkeling. The beach is great and the crowd, in terms of numbers, was just about right. The water clarity was not too good and the photos were not useable. After an hour we took off to just drive.
We stopped at Anaburg for a moment then headed east to Coral Bay. We stopped at Skinny Legs for ---- you got it --- Cheese Burgers in Paradise.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/254 ... 7f9f36.jpg
We drove to the end of the road and turned around and came back to Luna Vista. We crashed on the couch except to work on this and snack a little.
We will go out with Low Key for a two tank dive tomorrow morning and then --- who knows what we'll do.
JIM
We sailed to St James Island - a very private island where we completed some of our skills. These are some skills you hope you never have to do but should know just in case.
Andy took us back to the boat where we changed out our equipment for the second dive.Captain Bob took us to Cow Island and in we went again. After a too short dive we sailed back to Low Key for our written test. We passed the test, filled out some forms and shot photographs. As many of you know, that means WE PASSED.
Low Key did a great job of getting us ready to dive. Ellen and Andy were very supportive, patient, and informative.
They were totally professional teachers and coaches. They didn't stop at telling us what to do or not to do. They told us why we were doing it as well. Although supportive, it was clear that paying the money and showing up was not going to assure success. The knowledge and skills were mandatory. Even the difficult skills had to be accomplished appropriately. The support staff was equally helpful. We had a minor business issue with Low Key and spoke to Ann Marie about it. Within minutes she resolved the issue to everyone's satisfaction.
Prior to this trip, we debated the pros and cons offered by so many on the Forum. Each and every business offering SCUBA had both good and bad reviews. Based on our experience, we would have to recommend Low Key strongly. Every contact we had including Cooper, the new dog at Low Key, was a plus toward their overall score. In doing a fair and balanced evaluation, it is important to look at both those things that were outstanding and those that could be better. Captain Bob's demeanor was definitely more business based and time-driven. By comparison with Ann Marie, Ellen, Andy and Cooper who made us feel like family, Bob simply does not have that same warm and fuzzy personality. If you sign up to learn or dive from Low Key you need to know two things. First is that they have 10% coupons on their web site. They are good for merchandise, lessons or dives. Second, they have parking at their place for their customers. There is no need to drag your belongings through town to get to their boat. Their location is very close to the Beach Bar, Waterfront Bistro and the Banana Deck if you need some place to fill in your log books or study for the test. We did both.
We celebrated at Deli Grotto with another Grotto Chicken sandwich and tasty deserts. A drive along the North Shore Road with the photo stops was next.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2282/253 ... 1c2127.jpg
There's the obligatory Trunk Bay photo. Can I get into the club now?
We proceeded to Maho for a little snorkeling. The beach is great and the crowd, in terms of numbers, was just about right. The water clarity was not too good and the photos were not useable. After an hour we took off to just drive.
We stopped at Anaburg for a moment then headed east to Coral Bay. We stopped at Skinny Legs for ---- you got it --- Cheese Burgers in Paradise.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/254 ... 7f9f36.jpg
We drove to the end of the road and turned around and came back to Luna Vista. We crashed on the couch except to work on this and snack a little.
We will go out with Low Key for a two tank dive tomorrow morning and then --- who knows what we'll do.
JIM
Man it's like some dream we live down here....
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cypressgirl
- Posts: 2178
- Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:42 pm
- Location: houston
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stampede chuck
- Posts: 143
- Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:44 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Congrat's on getting certified!! Don't you just love the picture they take for your certification card? Kind of like your driver's licence photo!! My first 2 dives were at the Ledges at Little St. James and Cow and Calf Islands. Like you said, they go by too quickly.
Glad to hear your opinions on Low Key. We were also a bit apprehensive after reading some of the posts, but they did a great job for us as well. We'd recommend them again (and I have a number of times).
Enjoy the last of your vacation!
Glad to hear your opinions on Low Key. We were also a bit apprehensive after reading some of the posts, but they did a great job for us as well. We'd recommend them again (and I have a number of times).
Enjoy the last of your vacation!
Collin
"Packin' up the bathing suits, gettin' out the cowboy boots. That's a sign we must be going home"
"Packin' up the bathing suits, gettin' out the cowboy boots. That's a sign we must be going home"
Jimg- Thanks for the reports, appreciate it...
Do you have a link to your online photo collection you could share?
Thanx-
Sherb
Do you have a link to your online photo collection you could share?
Thanx-
Sherb
STJ Villa Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
Thanks for all your nice comments.
Cypressgirl, you are going to love Luna Vista. We certainly did. Having my own wound care nurse with me helped with the stab wounds.
Mdcoles1, yes we live in Fayetteville, and no we are not Hog fans. It's not that we are opposed to them. We're just not fans. Our dive instructor, Andy Ross, is a Hog allum also. He earned a business degree in '05.
Stampede Chuck, I guess that's why the still make vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Everyone has their own prefferences. Low Key is not perfect, but they met our needs. We will not be as memorable as some people they've taught though.
Sherban, if you PM me I'll send you something that we did last year. The photos are not all posted and those that are up are not fully editied. I am sure that some of them should not be seen again. I need some time at work so I will have the time to do my personal business.
Diana is getting interested in the SOTB this year. She has a lot more vacation time than I do. What will it be this year? SOTB + 4? TOTB?
I have two more reports 99% written. I need the time to get the photos up to Flickr then down to all of you.
Thanks again
JIM
PS I gave you a message in the sand this morning. Ruth has it.
Cypressgirl, you are going to love Luna Vista. We certainly did. Having my own wound care nurse with me helped with the stab wounds.
Mdcoles1, yes we live in Fayetteville, and no we are not Hog fans. It's not that we are opposed to them. We're just not fans. Our dive instructor, Andy Ross, is a Hog allum also. He earned a business degree in '05.
Stampede Chuck, I guess that's why the still make vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Everyone has their own prefferences. Low Key is not perfect, but they met our needs. We will not be as memorable as some people they've taught though.
Sherban, if you PM me I'll send you something that we did last year. The photos are not all posted and those that are up are not fully editied. I am sure that some of them should not be seen again. I need some time at work so I will have the time to do my personal business.
Diana is getting interested in the SOTB this year. She has a lot more vacation time than I do. What will it be this year? SOTB + 4? TOTB?
I have two more reports 99% written. I need the time to get the photos up to Flickr then down to all of you.
Thanks again
JIM
PS I gave you a message in the sand this morning. Ruth has it.
Man it's like some dream we live down here....
Wooo hooo!!! I'm so jealous!!!
We went through NAUI certification a number of years ago, passed the test (in February) but never completed the open water portion. You see, here in balmy New England it isn't possible to dive before June, which was the plan, but by then I was pregnant with my now 7 year old, so we never completed the certification. I keep saying that one day we will, and I'm liking what I'm hearing about your experience (and like the idea of the warm Caribbean as well)...
We went through NAUI certification a number of years ago, passed the test (in February) but never completed the open water portion. You see, here in balmy New England it isn't possible to dive before June, which was the plan, but by then I was pregnant with my now 7 year old, so we never completed the certification. I keep saying that one day we will, and I'm liking what I'm hearing about your experience (and like the idea of the warm Caribbean as well)...
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stampede chuck
- Posts: 143
- Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:44 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
I'm starting to wonder if that's a good thing or not! But we did have a ton of fun!! You're just not always sure what people thought of you after you've left!?!?jimg20 wrote:We will not be as memorable as some people they've taught though.
Did you get your last 2 dives in? Where did you go?
Collin
"Packin' up the bathing suits, gettin' out the cowboy boots. That's a sign we must be going home"
"Packin' up the bathing suits, gettin' out the cowboy boots. That's a sign we must be going home"