The view from Luna Vista Day 3
Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 5:44 pm
Sorry this is so late in getting posted but the Flickr web site took forever uploading the photos.
Yesterday started out in low gear. We used the quiet time to relax, did some studying, worked on some outside projects, organized photos and tried to find a better way to send these reports. We went into town looking for lunch and ended up in Deli Grotto again. Why not go for the sure thing. Now that we know how large their sandwiches are, we ordered one and split it. Diana, who is not a sandwich fan, loved the Grotto Chicken and thought that it may be the best sandwich ever. It does need to be eaten there since it is served piping hot on a grilled pesto foccacia bread but it was the centerpiece of a wonderful lunch.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/253 ... 2d33c3.jpg
A chocolate chip cookie and coconunt chocolate brownie
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2303/253 ... a27d9e.jpg
Is the photographing of the food the Forum version of Grace?
After shopping in Mongoose Junction, we drove out the North Shore Road. We tried our hand at the panoramic shots from the overlook point and went on to Hawksnest.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/253 ... 6c43cb.jpg
Hawksnest is without a doubt the place where we have had the best snorkeling in terms of marine life. Yesterday was the day to see rays. I found one and followed it for some time. I was so focused on getting it in the shot and keeping up that I nearly failed to realize that it was leading me into some very shallow reefs. Rays don't need a lot of depth to get around. I got out of there without touching anything - not even a sea urchin.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/253 ... d2eed1.jpg
After getting into some more appropriate conditions, along comes an even larger ray. I followed him until he became aware of my presence. He turned around and squared off with me from about 15 feet. I laid still in the water until he turned slightly to my right which I took as my cue to slowly, quietly swim to my left. Crikey Mate! You never know what might happen out there.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/253 ... 895d82.jpg
Soon after that I needed a rest and Diana took the camera. She shot three series of ray photos also. We don't know if there were two or three different rays or if she and I saw the same ones. In any case there were at least two and they were not too camera shy.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/253 ... a03818.jpg
The Sealife did very well today. The replacement batteries lasted about twice as long as the originals. We bought the Energizer Max and shipped them down in our box. I am told that the rechargeable batteries will last even longer. Anyone care to jump in on that? It is important to maximize the life of a set of batteries because it is impractical to replace them during the day. The camera has to be dry and clear of sand to open it and that doesn't happen in the field. As you can tell we got the underwater setting in place and the color is much better.
We stopped at Starfish to pick up supper and found a grade school's bake sale at the entrance. They were trying to raise money for a trip to Disney World in Orlando. I asked them how they chose that location for a trip. They told me that some of them have never been to the States. I asked them why they would want to leave this island. One young lady had the answer. "We live on a beautiful island, but it gets boring after 11 years."
Dinner was pasta with meat sauce and a tossed salad in the villa with a little TV. No photos this time.
Now for an update on the Day 2 headline. The sea urchin wounds are nearly healed and I had no problem walking or swimming today. The photo shows the progress after about 18 hours. I have stopped the vinegar soaks but I am continuing the PRN rum just as a precaution. Yes VickiH, an around the clock dosing schedule is required. It would be wrong not to.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/253 ... 83df65.jpg
Tomorrow includes a classroom session for Open Water Diver certification. If we get done early enough we'll try to find another beach.
Now I have to get started on today's report. A beach bum's work is never done.
JIM
Yesterday started out in low gear. We used the quiet time to relax, did some studying, worked on some outside projects, organized photos and tried to find a better way to send these reports. We went into town looking for lunch and ended up in Deli Grotto again. Why not go for the sure thing. Now that we know how large their sandwiches are, we ordered one and split it. Diana, who is not a sandwich fan, loved the Grotto Chicken and thought that it may be the best sandwich ever. It does need to be eaten there since it is served piping hot on a grilled pesto foccacia bread but it was the centerpiece of a wonderful lunch.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/253 ... 2d33c3.jpg
A chocolate chip cookie and coconunt chocolate brownie
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2303/253 ... a27d9e.jpg
Is the photographing of the food the Forum version of Grace?
After shopping in Mongoose Junction, we drove out the North Shore Road. We tried our hand at the panoramic shots from the overlook point and went on to Hawksnest.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/253 ... 6c43cb.jpg
Hawksnest is without a doubt the place where we have had the best snorkeling in terms of marine life. Yesterday was the day to see rays. I found one and followed it for some time. I was so focused on getting it in the shot and keeping up that I nearly failed to realize that it was leading me into some very shallow reefs. Rays don't need a lot of depth to get around. I got out of there without touching anything - not even a sea urchin.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/253 ... d2eed1.jpg
After getting into some more appropriate conditions, along comes an even larger ray. I followed him until he became aware of my presence. He turned around and squared off with me from about 15 feet. I laid still in the water until he turned slightly to my right which I took as my cue to slowly, quietly swim to my left. Crikey Mate! You never know what might happen out there.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/253 ... 895d82.jpg
Soon after that I needed a rest and Diana took the camera. She shot three series of ray photos also. We don't know if there were two or three different rays or if she and I saw the same ones. In any case there were at least two and they were not too camera shy.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/253 ... a03818.jpg
The Sealife did very well today. The replacement batteries lasted about twice as long as the originals. We bought the Energizer Max and shipped them down in our box. I am told that the rechargeable batteries will last even longer. Anyone care to jump in on that? It is important to maximize the life of a set of batteries because it is impractical to replace them during the day. The camera has to be dry and clear of sand to open it and that doesn't happen in the field. As you can tell we got the underwater setting in place and the color is much better.
We stopped at Starfish to pick up supper and found a grade school's bake sale at the entrance. They were trying to raise money for a trip to Disney World in Orlando. I asked them how they chose that location for a trip. They told me that some of them have never been to the States. I asked them why they would want to leave this island. One young lady had the answer. "We live on a beautiful island, but it gets boring after 11 years."
Dinner was pasta with meat sauce and a tossed salad in the villa with a little TV. No photos this time.
Now for an update on the Day 2 headline. The sea urchin wounds are nearly healed and I had no problem walking or swimming today. The photo shows the progress after about 18 hours. I have stopped the vinegar soaks but I am continuing the PRN rum just as a precaution. Yes VickiH, an around the clock dosing schedule is required. It would be wrong not to.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/253 ... 83df65.jpg
Tomorrow includes a classroom session for Open Water Diver certification. If we get done early enough we'll try to find another beach.
Now I have to get started on today's report. A beach bum's work is never done.
JIM
