please forgive me for this report being a little late.
i received a very kind offer to join an advanced group of divers out of tampa.
they had been to lcbr 8 years in a row and were always looking for new blood.
we all joined up at the resort for a week of diving 6/12/10 - 6/19/10.
the core group knew all the ins & outs and quickly herded the new chicks in the right direction.
we were all diving on the same boat and buddy teams were made up.
roll call was called before leaving the dock and after all dives.
the boat and crew came with all the needed equipment & knowledge.
they were very attentive and answered all questions.
very detailed briefings were given before each splash.
buddy teams could either follow the dm or plan their own dive.
water, juice, fruit, chips & towels were handy after all dives.
vis was anywhere from 80' to 120'.
temp was from 82-84 f.
most of the good stuff was from 40' - 60'
we did bloody wall all week and from the edge it was 6000 ft. down.
looking out into the blue was sometimes rewarding.
*first dive with this buddy, group, boat, reef, dive site, boat and island.
-wide stride and buddy check at the surface.
-decend 45' to edge of wall.
-6 ft reef shark sliding along the wall shopping, cool.
-up from the soft corals and fans comes a large and beautiful nassau grouper.
he comes very close and bumps my mask with three soft kisses.
this is a huge fish.
my buddy indicates i should gently stroke the fish's chin.
then he gives my buddy three gentle bumps which is rewarded with a gentle
scratch.
then this fish follows us for the rest of the dive like lassie or ole yeller.
the rest of the 16 dives for the week were just as magical.
these tampa divers have figured it out.
bring 50 lbs of stuff and get on a plane.
the resort picks you up, checks you in, shows you to a very nice and recently remodeled room & gives you free welcome drinks at the bar and pool.
the food was served in a very nice ac dining hall with helpful attendants.
my nondiving wife who has food intolerances was able to eat well and safely all week.
our group worked in secret with the dining staff and even had a special anniversary celebration for my wife and I.
there was also a nice screened patio area with tables for dining.
we were there when portions of the world cup were showing.
everyone there was a football fan and cheered for their team.
the bartenders were great guys and easily handled the thirsty crowd.
this group has already booked next year's return trip and i think (and hope) i have been invited ...
Smokey
i received a very kind offer to join an advanced group of divers out of tampa.
they had been to lcbr 8 years in a row and were always looking for new blood.
we all joined up at the resort for a week of diving 6/12/10 - 6/19/10.
the core group knew all the ins & outs and quickly herded the new chicks in the right direction.
we were all diving on the same boat and buddy teams were made up.
roll call was called before leaving the dock and after all dives.
the boat and crew came with all the needed equipment & knowledge.
they were very attentive and answered all questions.
very detailed briefings were given before each splash.
buddy teams could either follow the dm or plan their own dive.
water, juice, fruit, chips & towels were handy after all dives.
vis was anywhere from 80' to 120'.
temp was from 82-84 f.
most of the good stuff was from 40' - 60'
we did bloody wall all week and from the edge it was 6000 ft. down.
looking out into the blue was sometimes rewarding.
*first dive with this buddy, group, boat, reef, dive site, boat and island.
-wide stride and buddy check at the surface.
-decend 45' to edge of wall.
-6 ft reef shark sliding along the wall shopping, cool.
-up from the soft corals and fans comes a large and beautiful nassau grouper.
he comes very close and bumps my mask with three soft kisses.
this is a huge fish.
my buddy indicates i should gently stroke the fish's chin.
then he gives my buddy three gentle bumps which is rewarded with a gentle
scratch.
then this fish follows us for the rest of the dive like lassie or ole yeller.
the rest of the 16 dives for the week were just as magical.
these tampa divers have figured it out.
bring 50 lbs of stuff and get on a plane.
the resort picks you up, checks you in, shows you to a very nice and recently remodeled room & gives you free welcome drinks at the bar and pool.
the food was served in a very nice ac dining hall with helpful attendants.
my nondiving wife who has food intolerances was able to eat well and safely all week.
our group worked in secret with the dining staff and even had a special anniversary celebration for my wife and I.
there was also a nice screened patio area with tables for dining.
we were there when portions of the world cup were showing.
everyone there was a football fan and cheered for their team.
the bartenders were great guys and easily handled the thirsty crowd.
this group has already booked next year's return trip and i think (and hope) i have been invited ...
Smokey
