I am back!

[seaangel]

I am back and still a bit tired. We got back home at 3am, long drive from West Palm Beach to Augusta.

Yes, we were on the Gulfstream Eagle! They are who my LDS always go on liveaboards with. I have always had a good time with them. Also they are very safe, and take no risks with the divers.

I made 13 dives all together. We did 3 dives Friday after clearing the Bahamian Customs. I did 4 on Saturday, 4 on Sunday and 2 Monday before heading back home.

We were expecting high winds and rough seas all weekend, but the diving gods held it off until Monday on our way home.

I will post more on each dive to give a better report later. I have alot of photos to review off my digital camera too so I will add some to the post later.

In summary I will say I saw more sharks than I have ever seen. They were not aggressive, but sure followed us around it seemed.
I saw a small Hammerhead, a couple of Bull sharks, and a lot of Reef sharks in all sizes. I say several turtles, and rays, did not see and Eagle rays or Mantas. We saw a Goliath Grouper, it was kind of shy, I tried to get a picture but he swam off pretty fast.
We went to several sites that had awsome coral formations and swimthroughs. On our last dive I took some photos of a French Angle couple and this is the awesome part, I petted them. They stayed with me and just let me pet them. We wanted to see some wild dolphins to swim with but didn't see any. At Sugar Wreck we interacted with a Nurse Shark and several large Puffer Fish.

I think I had more fun this liveaboard than ever, except the trip to Cay Sal with them. That was terrific also.

Coming back yesterday we had some very rough seas, 15-20 foot swells. I just secured my gear and went to my bunk to sleep through the crossing and prayed we would not capsize. The boat literally tipped on its side so far that the starboard prop was out of the water a couple of times, kind of scarey, but we made it.

Got to go I have to get ready for work today, but I will post more later.

 

[DiverDave76]

Were you with Ronnie Wheatley?? Good friend of mine. I think we've talked about this before. Got certified through Neptune Dive and Ski in 1976.

Have always heard good things about the Gulfstream Eagle. Looks like a good boat to dive from. That seems like the best opportunity to get my 14 yr old daughter on a liveaboard w/o dropping a wad!

Dave

 

[SeaJay]

I'd love the opportunity to put some of your pictures up on the DSD website... The photos section hasn't been updated in a while.

Let me know if you'll allow me to do that...

 

[Pam_In_Paradise]

Glad you made it back safe and sound. Can't wait to hear all about it. Less than two weeks and I'll be diving those Bahama waters. Yea!!!! Sorry you couldn't make this weekend's dive but hopefully soon we can get together.

 

[DiverDave76]

Make sure you tell Ronnie "hello" for me. I last ran into him a year ago this past Labor day in West Palm. I was with my youngest who was doing her open water certification. We were sitting at breakfast and there was Ronnie sitting right across from us. Good guy! Went to high school with his wife.
My dad was involved with the initial group that started Neptune Dive and Ski back in the 60's. I could give you the entire history of that store. Would you believe it started in the garage of Peggy and Red Turner back in the 60's. Later moved to a location on Georgia ave in NA. Peggy and Red divorced and Peggy had the whole thing. They later moved across the street to what was the old Hiedelberg Inn. Needless to say these folks have been friends my entire life!
My dad has pictures in his office of he and Red Turner when they used to spearfish the Bahamas and the Keys...needless to say that was a loooong time ago. Back when you could spearfish anywhere and anything!

Dave

 

[seaangel]

The dive shop has moved from North Augusta. It is in Augusta, by
Lake Olmstead, in the building that use to be a women's gym.
A much larger facility. Do you know Nick Young, Frank Bennett and
Danny Posey?