Travel
Plane departs from Newark Airport with a stop over in Miami at 6:30 AM today. That means leaving Fayson Lakes at 4 AM to get to the airport with margin. For some unknown reason the shuttle doesn't arrive. So at 4:30 plan B is instituted, we pile into the Volvo wagon and head to the airport. After making our way through TSA inspection, we arrive at the gate shortly before the doors close.
Traveling internationally means that we not only have to meet the US traveling requirements but also the Bonaire traveling requirements. This means submitting the correct set of documents to the airlines when checking in and hoping that you have interpenetrated the travel requirements correctly and then arriving at Bonaire and submitting additional set of documents for inspection. Some of the members needed additional COVID rapid tests on arrival. I understand that when we return to the States, there are additional tests and documents necessary as well. The exact set of tests and documents are fluid and seem to change without notice. Who knows, we may just be detained on a tropical island at the end of the vacation. Well there could be worst places.
Arrival and Resort
After submitting our paperwork and picking up our bags we were greeted by mini-bus from the resort. I can quickly see why Doug, the owner of Cedar Grove Diver Supply has been to this resort 43 times previously. Diving boats, pier, dive lockers, dive shop, spa, swimming pools, 3 restaurants and a casino are all on the beach front property.
But there is no time to delay. Check-in, get to your room, unpack, get into your swim gear and bring all your equipment to the diving pier. Doug wisely wants get everyone in the water to work out the kinks before tomorrow's first day of 2 dives.
For me and two others, it's our first chance to try our gear in a salt water cove that is and larger than a swimming pool. I'm told the water is in the low 80's and very comfortable, but just about everyone puts on their wet-suits anyway. With all the tanks, weights and assorted gear. Movement is rather lumbering as we make our way into the water.
i'm really grateful that we made this initial shakedown, since I discovered that I had snatched my brother's BC (buoyancy compensator) which was too large and the air tank rolled around on my back plus I didn't have enough weights to act against the additional buoyancy of the salt water. So as I mostly remained the surface of the water making unsuccessful attempts to descend, I reluctantly watched as the other divers swam below viewing the local underwater landmarks (or are they seamarks?) and memorials in the cove in front of the resort. I was assured that tomorrow with additional weights, I too would be swimming with the fishes.
With the initial checkout complete, it was time to wash up and head to the terrace dining area for dinner followed by a good night rest. Tomorrow will start early with a buffet breakfast and preparations to be on the boat with all your gear by 8:30 and an 8:45 departure.
Brian
OK.. I am so jealous..
ReplyDeleteYeah, Scuba Certification is sort of a racket. You'll have no problem. The theory is cake for engineering types.
The OW stuff is easy - go down, take off your mask, recover it. Do a CESA. Maybe a buddy breathe on the octopus from someone else.
It is *way* easier keeping your depth stable with the BC once you're down around 30 ft. At 8-10 ft in a pool, it's really hard, because the pressure difference for a 1 foot change is huge (i.e. 1 out of 10 ft). At 30 ft, it's 1 out of 30. My favorite depth is between 30-60 ft - good lighting, you don't use air so fast as deeper, and depth control is easy because you don't change buoyancy so much when you breathe in and out. I hate, hate, being at 5-10 ft, the waves make a difference, every time you breathe in you float, and when you exhale you sink.