The View From Luna Vista - Day 6
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:34 am
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
You really have my wheels turning!
