Today was a diving day. I had pancakes for breakfast, the usual. The pancakes at this hotel are delicious. Then we all headed out to the dive boat. Some other group members decided they wanted to try diving, so they are doing their discover scuba. The guide Steve and I are the only ones certified so we had a different boat than the rest of the group for our first dive. The others went to a beach to learn skills.
My first dive was in a cave. This was my first cave dive or dive in the dark. We needed flashlights to see inside the cave because it was completely dark. We swam right through the cave. In one side and then swam out the other. It was a weird feeling being inside a cave underwater. It was a neat experience but I prefer diving in sunlight. While we were diving I heard a dynamite blast and it scared the crap out of me. It is so sad that they still dynamite fish even though it is illegal. There weren't a whole lot of fish and that is probably why.
After the first dive, we met up with the rest of the group. They were ready for their first dive. Some were really nervous but most were excited. They all did really well. The second dive was nice, but again many of the fish had been wiped out.
After the second dive we had lunch on a secluded beach. The boat crew served us lunch and then I went for a quick swim in the gorgeous turquoise water.
The third dive was the best. The coral was gorgeous and there were huge schools of fish. I saw a huge grouper fish that was sitting on the ocean floor. It was 4 feet long and 2 feet wide. At first I thought it was coral but then it's eyes were movng and following me as I swam. His eyes were the size of a golf ball and they stuck out of his head. He stayed completely still and I think he thought I didn't see him. That was the biggest fish I had ever seen. We also saw some bright colored eels and more nemos. I could watch the nemos for hours. Some of the big nemos tried to charge me to protect their home and family. The little ones hide in the anemone and are so cute. The current will pull them out of the anemone and then they will quickly swim back in.
On my ascent of the third dive, I could see Steph and Lori swimming at the surface. I ascended right below Lori and I grabbed her foot. She freaked out because I came out of nowhere and she couldn't see me. It was funny. I got her good.
After the third dive, everyone was jacked because it was so awesome. We all went back to the dive shop and got our log books filled out.
I have a big decision to make now. Do I dive again tomorrow or do I go to Helicopter Island with the girls for my last day with them and to just relax. I contemplated this for a long time, but I have decided to go to Helicopter island with the girls because it is our last day together and I think a day on the beach will be wonderful. I wanted to dive too though so it was a tough decision.
For dinner we went to a restaurant on the beach and the food was great. I had a mixed salad and it came out with avocados on it. That was a pleasant surprise.
Lori and I rented some paddle boards to take with us to Helicopter island tomorrow. I am excited:)