Sunday, December 23, 2007

Dave and Tee's Bahamas Trip

We got to take a fun dive trip just by ourselves. Normally we are leading groups and so we are some what responsible for everyone. This time was unique as we got to go and just enjoy ourselves. We have been to the Bahamas a few times but this time we were on a live-aboard boat called the Aqua Cat. A live-aboard is basically a mini cruise just for divers. You get to make up to 5 dives a day. The boat left from Nassau and went southeast to the Exumas. The diving was really good, we did a variety of walls and reefs, 1 wreck and 1 blue hole. We got to go ashore a number of times to some of the prettiest beaches we have ever been to. It was neat to have a beach all to yourself. We spent 1 trip on a beach with some lizards that come right up to you. They go there every week and feed the lizards grapes. Basically you find a stick, put a grape in the end and they will come right out to you. Tee was surprisingly brave and actually tried it. Another day we went shore to the headquarters of the Exumas Land and Sea Park. We did a little nature walk and got to explore some mangroves and blow holes. In the winter, it is a surprisingly busy place with over 300 visitors a month. That's lot considering you have to have your own boat to get there. It reminded me of a Jimmy Buffet sort of place. We also got to come back one night for a beach bonfire.

We got to meet some fun people. We had one couple with us from SLC and then there were folks from Canada, England, France, Arizona, New Mexico and 4 guys from Chile. The crew was very international as well with Americans, Brits, South Africans,a Brazilian and an Irish girl. We meet 1 couple from Nova Scotia who own a bike touring company. Hopefully we will do a tour to Croatia with them next year. (we'll see)

We get to go back in June with a group for the dive shop.