RikRaeder
Contributor
Went to Okinawa for my gf's b-day. We stayed only two and a half days, but of course got in two days of diving. Since she selected the Kerama Islands, we stayed in Naha. The weather had been quite rainy for several weeks, but we were treated to only a light shower on our first day. Our two dive days were partly cloudy and a bit breezy; overall very pleasant. While in Naha, we stayed at the beautiful Libre Garden Hotel. It's clean, new, and a pretty good deal. It's also conveniently located in Naha.
What to say about Naha? There's a castle. I hear that there's a shrine as well. Best of all, it's right across from the Kerama Islands. I'm afraid it's just not much of a tourist town. There are some good restaurants but overall it didn't strike me as a tourist Mecca. We were trying to figure out what makes Naha's economy run. My guess was the widespread construction and maintenance of apartment buildings. I'll upload some pics when the server gets well again.
The gf selected Tropico for our diving needs. The prices are pretty good, and they have a large, well-appointed boat. Their equipment was in pretty good shape and they weren't totally spassed about catering to a foreigner (that's me). On the second day, they became downright warm! While they provided a satisfactory experience, I think next time I'll try a different shop. Nice boat though.
On Friday, we headed out on the Tropico II, a 65' twin prop with heads, showers, and ample space. We went out with 10 divers and three guides (and thankfully came back with the same numbers). There was a group of six "salary man" divers on a company trip as well as my gf and me. We got paired with a very nice couple from Tokyo. Our DM was Ota-san. The trip to the Keramas took 40 minutes. The swells were about 1m and it was slightly breezy which made for a comfortable trip. We anchored in the shelter of some small islands whose names I didn't bother to note. The Keramas are a collection of rocky outcroppings that jut out of the ocean; some covered in greenery, but all very small. I've also a few photos of these to upload, gods willing.
We did two dives in and about the Kerama group. Despite the recent torrential rains, visibility was a respectable 20-25m and the conditions were good overall. This area, we were told, has a nice balance of sand and corals (mostly soft) as well as a variety of tropical fish, such as: Damsels, Moorish Idols, Wrasses, Anemone fish, etc. In truth, although I managed a few photos most of my time was spent in working with my gf.
She's not the most comfortable person with scuba to start with. This was our first dive in 5mm neoprene (usually 3mm or less) and we both underweighted ourselves. I was able to deal, barely, however she had a very hard time. She can be a bit panicky, and so I spent most of my first two dives coaching her with her bc, breathing, not shooting to the surface in a panic, etc. She did not have a good time. I admit, I was a bit stressed myself (worrying that she'd bolt for the surface in a panic) but hey....I was diving, right?
Anyway, graduating from 6kg to 7kg to 7.5kg I finally got myself neutral and enjoyed the third, drift dive. I was a bit nervous since it was my first drift (also having to follow the Japanese dive briefing). Luckily for me, there was no current. I assume there was supposed to be one at our third spot, but we ended up swimming to hell and gone where the boat finally picked us up. Along the way, we passed the other dm and group. The DM gave a big shrug to his colleague which I interpreted as "where the hell is the current?!" My gf had gotten rather down from her first dives an stayed on the boat so I was able to enjoy myself more despite being driftless.
Our second day, we dove Tsubishi, about half way between Okinawa and Kerama. We took the 40' Prospero III, which has definitely seen better days. It was a, how does one say this delicately....a piece of ****! Diesel was spewing out of the deck plates, out of the stern, and all over our gear. The interior was falling apart. Even the captain's seat was ripped to blazes with bare foam and no upholstery. I mean, come on. Since when does the Captain not take care of his own bottom. Jeeze! It took us forty minutes on Prospero III to make the half way point (we made the full trip to Kerama in 40 minutes on the Tropico II, remember?) The engine looked, smelled, and sounded in need of a major overhaul. No facilities at all (which I can live with, but had to listen to gf's incessant comparisons). Hey, to tell the truth, if the boat gets me there and back, I don't care so much...but the diesel exhaust spewing all over was pretty low class (and nausiating).
We were first aboard at 12:10pm and got our gear checked and stowed. There wasn't much space, but with some consideration we could make do. There were two young women from Tokyo with us who got their things nicely stowed as well. Then came, what I referred to as, the all-Nippon-champion dive team, starring; tank man...equipment man...video man...most scary of all, Speedo man...and the rest. Five splendid divers with splendid equipment just dying to show how splendid they were with no regard for mere mortals such as your humble narrator.
I was trying to make this report short, but I just can't help myself...sorry. For those of you who don't want to know of <Malon Brando voice> the horror...the horror <end Brando> Vis was about 15m, seas about .5m, partly cloudy, breezy. Overall pretty nice diving. Now, on with our story.
Oh yes...the All Nippon Champion Dive Team. <ahem> They arrived with all the swagger one would expect of such world renown divers, tossing their expensive new gear bags carelessly onto the all ready cramped deck space. One moved directly into the phoneboothesque cabin where he emerged as Speedo Man and forthwith commenced to adjust his package in front of all of us. This, of course, entailed stretching the waistband and flexing it up and down to expose his pubes (I managed to avert my eyes at that point, God knows what else he exposed). Good thing the engine wasn't running and spewing diesel fumes or I surely would have lost my breakfast.
As Speedo Man was giving us his erotic performance, equipment man decided (ok, he was told to) police up his gear. To him, this meant spreading it all out on the deck (no big deal, mine was secured and I had a grandstand seat from which to watch the fun although it seemed like bad form to me), watching it glisten and shine in the light, then piling it up haphazardly, half on top of my gear and half on the tiny public portion of the deck (where it stayed for the whole trip). I guess with such grand equipment, one space just isn't enough.
While all this was happening, Video Man was, of course, taking video of the boat, the people, the water in the harbor (yuck), the van that brought them...you name it. Again, harmless enough though I do confess that I don't really like having my picture taken, and especially not by strangers. About the fourth time he panned over to me during a surface interval I was extremely tempted to fly the American Eagle for him...if you know what I mean.
As if to hint at his special power but not fully reveal it, Tank Man put his tank in his BCD and God's truth, he had it so low I have no idea how he got the first stage on it. More on him later though. I admit I'm no pro, but then again I don't act like one. From the way these guys strutted their stuff, all could see they were the creme de le creme so I felt no need to interfere.
Anyway, we got underway finally where I made the mistake of dumping my shirt in the cabin and grabbing my water. Of course my seat was taken when I returned, so I slipped by and had a seat on the stern, the better to enjoy the sun and spray and avoid the diesel fumes. I chatted with the girls from Tokyo a bit but alas, they were not in our dive group. That's right. I had the priveledge of diving with the ANCDT!
What can I say...these guys were the first in everything. First to clog up the deck while suiting up. First in the water (since others had no space to equip). Just the first. I wasn't so stressed about that. I don't take long, and I don't mind waiting. I did mind when Tank Man smacked by gf in the head with his tank (luckily for her and him he barely grazed her, but come on. Where does she get off sitting in her space she's been in for the last hour and having the nerve to bend forward to adjust her boots! I'll have to talk to her about that).
Anyways, the guys were as much fun in the water as out. All of them, repeat ALL of them had cameras. That's cool. I've got one too. It's fun. What wasn't fun was when they continually swarmed and surrounded all marine life to the point of stressing it out and frightening it away. I mean these guys were like a pack of pirannah. At one point, our guide motioned me over "don't you want to see the turtle?" With seven uberdivers surrounding it, swimming with it, hemming it in...nah, I passed. At one point, the guide found a Moray. After he took a picture or two, I moved in to take one of my own. As I snapped my first shot what should I see. <trumpet charge> Yes, the ANCDT coming in at flank speed, in formation abreast, cameras blazing. Can't tell you how quickly I found something else to look at. Poor little eel. Hope it bit one of them.
What to say about Naha? There's a castle. I hear that there's a shrine as well. Best of all, it's right across from the Kerama Islands. I'm afraid it's just not much of a tourist town. There are some good restaurants but overall it didn't strike me as a tourist Mecca. We were trying to figure out what makes Naha's economy run. My guess was the widespread construction and maintenance of apartment buildings. I'll upload some pics when the server gets well again.
The gf selected Tropico for our diving needs. The prices are pretty good, and they have a large, well-appointed boat. Their equipment was in pretty good shape and they weren't totally spassed about catering to a foreigner (that's me). On the second day, they became downright warm! While they provided a satisfactory experience, I think next time I'll try a different shop. Nice boat though.
On Friday, we headed out on the Tropico II, a 65' twin prop with heads, showers, and ample space. We went out with 10 divers and three guides (and thankfully came back with the same numbers). There was a group of six "salary man" divers on a company trip as well as my gf and me. We got paired with a very nice couple from Tokyo. Our DM was Ota-san. The trip to the Keramas took 40 minutes. The swells were about 1m and it was slightly breezy which made for a comfortable trip. We anchored in the shelter of some small islands whose names I didn't bother to note. The Keramas are a collection of rocky outcroppings that jut out of the ocean; some covered in greenery, but all very small. I've also a few photos of these to upload, gods willing.
We did two dives in and about the Kerama group. Despite the recent torrential rains, visibility was a respectable 20-25m and the conditions were good overall. This area, we were told, has a nice balance of sand and corals (mostly soft) as well as a variety of tropical fish, such as: Damsels, Moorish Idols, Wrasses, Anemone fish, etc. In truth, although I managed a few photos most of my time was spent in working with my gf.
She's not the most comfortable person with scuba to start with. This was our first dive in 5mm neoprene (usually 3mm or less) and we both underweighted ourselves. I was able to deal, barely, however she had a very hard time. She can be a bit panicky, and so I spent most of my first two dives coaching her with her bc, breathing, not shooting to the surface in a panic, etc. She did not have a good time. I admit, I was a bit stressed myself (worrying that she'd bolt for the surface in a panic) but hey....I was diving, right?
Anyway, graduating from 6kg to 7kg to 7.5kg I finally got myself neutral and enjoyed the third, drift dive. I was a bit nervous since it was my first drift (also having to follow the Japanese dive briefing). Luckily for me, there was no current. I assume there was supposed to be one at our third spot, but we ended up swimming to hell and gone where the boat finally picked us up. Along the way, we passed the other dm and group. The DM gave a big shrug to his colleague which I interpreted as "where the hell is the current?!" My gf had gotten rather down from her first dives an stayed on the boat so I was able to enjoy myself more despite being driftless.
Our second day, we dove Tsubishi, about half way between Okinawa and Kerama. We took the 40' Prospero III, which has definitely seen better days. It was a, how does one say this delicately....a piece of ****! Diesel was spewing out of the deck plates, out of the stern, and all over our gear. The interior was falling apart. Even the captain's seat was ripped to blazes with bare foam and no upholstery. I mean, come on. Since when does the Captain not take care of his own bottom. Jeeze! It took us forty minutes on Prospero III to make the half way point (we made the full trip to Kerama in 40 minutes on the Tropico II, remember?) The engine looked, smelled, and sounded in need of a major overhaul. No facilities at all (which I can live with, but had to listen to gf's incessant comparisons). Hey, to tell the truth, if the boat gets me there and back, I don't care so much...but the diesel exhaust spewing all over was pretty low class (and nausiating).
We were first aboard at 12:10pm and got our gear checked and stowed. There wasn't much space, but with some consideration we could make do. There were two young women from Tokyo with us who got their things nicely stowed as well. Then came, what I referred to as, the all-Nippon-champion dive team, starring; tank man...equipment man...video man...most scary of all, Speedo man...and the rest. Five splendid divers with splendid equipment just dying to show how splendid they were with no regard for mere mortals such as your humble narrator.
I was trying to make this report short, but I just can't help myself...sorry. For those of you who don't want to know of <Malon Brando voice> the horror...the horror <end Brando> Vis was about 15m, seas about .5m, partly cloudy, breezy. Overall pretty nice diving. Now, on with our story.
Oh yes...the All Nippon Champion Dive Team. <ahem> They arrived with all the swagger one would expect of such world renown divers, tossing their expensive new gear bags carelessly onto the all ready cramped deck space. One moved directly into the phoneboothesque cabin where he emerged as Speedo Man and forthwith commenced to adjust his package in front of all of us. This, of course, entailed stretching the waistband and flexing it up and down to expose his pubes (I managed to avert my eyes at that point, God knows what else he exposed). Good thing the engine wasn't running and spewing diesel fumes or I surely would have lost my breakfast.
As Speedo Man was giving us his erotic performance, equipment man decided (ok, he was told to) police up his gear. To him, this meant spreading it all out on the deck (no big deal, mine was secured and I had a grandstand seat from which to watch the fun although it seemed like bad form to me), watching it glisten and shine in the light, then piling it up haphazardly, half on top of my gear and half on the tiny public portion of the deck (where it stayed for the whole trip). I guess with such grand equipment, one space just isn't enough.
While all this was happening, Video Man was, of course, taking video of the boat, the people, the water in the harbor (yuck), the van that brought them...you name it. Again, harmless enough though I do confess that I don't really like having my picture taken, and especially not by strangers. About the fourth time he panned over to me during a surface interval I was extremely tempted to fly the American Eagle for him...if you know what I mean.
As if to hint at his special power but not fully reveal it, Tank Man put his tank in his BCD and God's truth, he had it so low I have no idea how he got the first stage on it. More on him later though. I admit I'm no pro, but then again I don't act like one. From the way these guys strutted their stuff, all could see they were the creme de le creme so I felt no need to interfere.
Anyway, we got underway finally where I made the mistake of dumping my shirt in the cabin and grabbing my water. Of course my seat was taken when I returned, so I slipped by and had a seat on the stern, the better to enjoy the sun and spray and avoid the diesel fumes. I chatted with the girls from Tokyo a bit but alas, they were not in our dive group. That's right. I had the priveledge of diving with the ANCDT!
What can I say...these guys were the first in everything. First to clog up the deck while suiting up. First in the water (since others had no space to equip). Just the first. I wasn't so stressed about that. I don't take long, and I don't mind waiting. I did mind when Tank Man smacked by gf in the head with his tank (luckily for her and him he barely grazed her, but come on. Where does she get off sitting in her space she's been in for the last hour and having the nerve to bend forward to adjust her boots! I'll have to talk to her about that).
Anyways, the guys were as much fun in the water as out. All of them, repeat ALL of them had cameras. That's cool. I've got one too. It's fun. What wasn't fun was when they continually swarmed and surrounded all marine life to the point of stressing it out and frightening it away. I mean these guys were like a pack of pirannah. At one point, our guide motioned me over "don't you want to see the turtle?" With seven uberdivers surrounding it, swimming with it, hemming it in...nah, I passed. At one point, the guide found a Moray. After he took a picture or two, I moved in to take one of my own. As I snapped my first shot what should I see. <trumpet charge> Yes, the ANCDT coming in at flank speed, in formation abreast, cameras blazing. Can't tell you how quickly I found something else to look at. Poor little eel. Hope it bit one of them.
