After such a traumatic travel day, we slept well. I slept for nine hours with just a little awake time at about 1.00am.
We awoke to cloudy skies but a very warm day.
Shortly after six we were in the camera room getting the cameras ready for the first dive. So far, everything seems to be working fine.
Breakfast was the usual offering of freshly cooked eggs of your choice, hash browns, extremely crispy bacon (wonderful), cereals and fresh fruit. Severed with fruit juices and fresh coffee that is strong enough to strip paint, however, when watered down to 1/3 coffee and 2/3 hot water it becomes delicious.
At the dive centre for 8.00 where we met our wonderful dive guide, Nanni. So pleased that he puts up with us.
The boats here are small, which is just to my liking. This morning on the boat we had Wendel in charge, a Kelvinas crew, Nannie, us and Romnick with Darral and Dianne.
First dive of the holiday is Saim Saim, which is a barren sandy slope. Fabulous! A gentle dive down to about 25 metres seeing, mimic octopus, Shaun the sheep slugs, sexy shrimps, lemon goby, various shrimps in anemones and some tiny scorpionfish.
Camera worked well. Had to make a few adjustments to the settings but generally pleased. Not so sure on any of the photos but, hey, it’s only the first dive.
At this point Richard and I realise that we dive using nitrox but on air tables. Time to change the computers! Oh! Can’t work out how to change my main computer. Suunto! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! The Suunto gekko computers were brilliant, but the new version is so hard to operate. Luckily Nanni has the same computer as me, so now I’ve had a little training.
Back to base for our surface interval as we had someone new joining the boat, Martin from Argentina. His first day. He seems nice.
Second dive was Manit Corner (Slug City). This is one of the closest sites to the dive centre. A beautiful rocky outcrop on a peninsula, covered in life. This was a nice bimble, again to about 25 metres. Lots of slugs, feather duster worms and other lovely stuff. Played with my snoot! Got a snooted picture of a slug.
After sorting the cameras, a spot of lunch (BLT for me and spag bol for Richard) followed a little time for relaxing, blogging and picture work.
This afternoon, on the boat was us and Martin with Nanni. Third dive of the day was at Elmer’s Point where we saw the current fish! There was lots to see and take photos although sometimes it was a challenge as the critters were waving about like a farts in a thunderstorm. I saw a very brave zebra moray who was determined not to move regardless of how close I got. Richard got a lovely shot of a a goby on a wire coral.
A dip in the pool between the third dive and the night dive and a chat with Jack, an octogenarian from Emsworth! You go almost half way around the world and bump into a near neighbour! Amazing!
It was out to the dive site called Bubbles for the night dive, with Nanni and Martin. This site is so called due to bubbles rising out of the ground due to volcanic activity and if you put your hand into the sand in some places it is to hot for comfort. An excellent dive, once I sorted out my fogging mask. We saw lots of stuff. Many different nudibranchs, shrimps, cup corals and many, many different featherstars feeding and rather more unusually a feeding basketstar.
A very quick shower and an application of 80% DEET to keep the mosquitos away followed but a spot of tea. Lovely Sisig, with Mango and cumber salad and fried rice. Richard had a mango float for dessert. Must remember to take food photos next time.
A quick look at the rest of the days photos and a couple of keepers have been spotted. Hundreds deleted. As I always say “don’t show the shit ones!”