Again, another extremely lazy day. Up at … some time before 10 for breakfast and then spent pretty much the whole day either lazing by the pool, swimming in the pool or sea, reading, walking the 11 yards to and from the pool to the restaurant for lunch and then dinner.
Only real venture out was to walk the 100 or so yards up the beach to the dive place to sign up for the Mondays dive trip to ‘Sail Rock!’
Both Mandy and I went snorkeling in the afternoon. Visibility wasn’t great which wasn’t good news for our dive the next day (plus my mask kept misting up) so we returned to what we’ve been doing best recently… Lying down and reading.
For some reason we were both tired quite early so we got an early night after a bit of catch up reading on scuba procedures as it had been over a year since our last dive. We agreed/hoped that it would be like riding a bike. (not literally)
D xx
Day 28 – Sail Rock
Pretty poor nights sleep due to a) air conditioning set at -16 degrees, and b) a towel for a bed-spread. But both in good spirits and looking forward to the dive. Picked up at 8 and met our Divemaster (Wendy from London) and our fellow divers – all 3 of them also English.
Boarded the boat and headed out to sea for about an hour or so to the north west of the island towards Sail Rock, a small rocky outcrop, about the size of a tennis court, in the middle of the Gulf. M suffering a little from sea-sickness but quickly recovered after our dive brief and then into the water. Visibility wasn’t great (around 5-6m) but we saw loads of fish (thousands) including angels, barracuda, ox-eyed-scud, scorpion fish and lots lots more. We circled the Rock at a depth of 7-18m, culminating with us coming up the chimney. A circular formation of coral/rock about 2m in diameter – very cool!
Then it was back to the surface. Mandy’s first words on surfacing were “you’re a crap buddy!” Apparently l was going from one side of her to the other and she didn’t know where l was half the time. I have a different view of things but either way, we both really enjoyed it and were grinning from ear to ear! Both agreed that we shouldn’t leave it so long between dives at it is so much fun.
Back on board for a couple of hours – enough time for lunch and M to take a sickness tablet which kicked in almost right away.
Just about to go in for our 2nd dive and the group in front said they saw a ‘whale shark’ so we thought our luck was in. We quickly got kitted up and jumped in hoping for a glimpse of one. (Can grow up to 12m long but they only eat plankton which is a good thing) Unfortunately we didn’t see it but we saw loads more stuff again including a trigger fish which decided not to attack – phew! Visibility dropped towards the end plus my mask was killing me so l was pleased to hit the surface.
Both nodded off on the back of the boat (sorry Dad, the stern) as we headed back to the island. Later discovered than M got a fair bit of sun-burn from this but all things considered – a great day!
Surprise surprise, a lazy evening of reading (both in the room and on the beach) and then to the restaurant for dinner and a film on the big screen. (Ratatouille – great film which clearly drew in the crowds as there were at least 9 people in the restaurant… busy busy!)
D xx
2 comments:
Pleased to report that for the last 3 days it has been beautifully sunny and really quite warm! It was down to a short sleeved T shirt for the walk on Sunday. Chilly/frosty mornings and a new moon with lots of stars! Some of us are at work whilst you are lazing around - I hope you appreciate that!! The dive sounds really good, have fun in Japan. Take care, lots of love xx
Hi divers! I like the sound of Sail rock but not so sure about the Whale shark. Could handle the snorkling - I think and all the eating, drinking & sleeping. Sorry you've been suffering with sea sickness Mandy and hope it's now passed you by. As for your "crap buddy" - I suggest you start shopping around for another one. Take care & keep on enjoying yourselves. dad/JC xx
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