And I must clear something up for Hootin' Anni, I was not on a cruise. This was a 138-foot long diving live-aboard boat. Holding only 20 paying travelers and 8 crew.
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Yes I am multi-linguistic...basic English, hacked French, and butchered Spanish...sometimes all three at once!
Okay so part three of my Belize adventure will comprise the middle part of the week as one unit and then a few more pictures, okay? Part four will deal with the return to land and departure. That will wrap this saga up and we can all move on.
On Monday the weather finally broke and we had partly cloudy skies for pretty much the rest of the trip until we got back to the dock. The eating/diving schedule was the same every day. Since diving requires a certain amount of "surface time" to off-gas nitrogen buildup, the routine has to be pretty much the same. So the typical "schedule" for the next 5 days, which was marked by the clanging of a large bell, was as follows:
7AM Breakfast. Chef prepared eggs, omelette's, bacon, sausage, waffles, etc. Excellent food.
7:45AM First bell signaling the preparation for the first dive of the day, in the water by 8AM
9AM Most divers have returned and this varies based on oxygen consumption. My wife is usually the last one up and has the most air left, for a smoker...go figure. She is a calm diver.
9AM -10AM A snack of some kind is served: fresh chocolate chip cookies, fresh tropical fruit, muffins, etc.
10:15AM The bell sounds for the next dive and most everyone is in the water by 10:30.
11:30ish All divers are back on board and preparing for lunch which varies from full course layout of tacos and tostadas to fresh fish.
12:45 The bell for the afternoon dive sounds and everyone who is diving is in the water by 1 or so.
2 - 2:30PM All divers back up and another snack has been prepared by the cooks.
3:30PM The bell sounds for the last afternoon dive and those with the energy suit up and tumble in the water
4:30PM The divers are back on board and showering off readying for dinner. Time for wind-down and general conversation. Those that are not night diving begin drinking. I of course drank anytime I wanted.
Dinner was usually served around 6PM and then an hour or so later (once it was good and dark) the night dive began. There are many marine animals and fish that do their thing after dark. With that said underwater flashlights are a requirement and photography gets a little trickier. If your flash is not set right you get a nice picture that could pass for the abyss...or the surface of the sun.
Once the divers return to the boat about an hour later we are heading close to the 9 o'clock hour and activities vary from small groups drinking and talking to another group watching movies on the big flat screen in the dining room to reading or just going to bed.
My wife and I usually spent the end of the evening back in the cabin watching an episode of Game Of Thrones that I had downloaded to her iPad. She was asleep every time before the show ended.
The boat would get underway and cruise to what would be the next mornings dive site. Sadly, weather and winds did not permit us to journey to the Blue Hole this trip. But the diving was good and the pictures were too!
Here you go...
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| Christmas tree worms on a brain coral |
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| Baby drum fish in a barrel sponge |
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| This fish was talking something about Nemo... |
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| The sharp and poisonous urchin |
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| Squidward |
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| Stingray stare down... |
9 comments:
Those are great pictures, Chuck. All you had to mention, though, was fresh chocolate chip cookies. Your vacation was complete. Will be back for more.
xoRobyn
Man does that ever sound like a nice trip! Relaxing and plenty of food and drink. Thanks!
Hi Chuck .. loved the daily run down - lots of dives in there, looks like good value.
What GREAT and clear pictures - just gorgeous .. and amazing creatures - I'm looking forward to seeing more.
Cheers Hilary
Chuck.....incredible underwater photos!!!!! Wow. I can only imagine what this trip was like, as I love the sea, but would NOT go diving. Go figure. My goodness, my goodness...what a lifetime memory you two have created for yourselves!!!
And, thanks for clarifying the cruise ship vs. diving boat.
So enjoyed this post...what a regiment to follow each day...I did.
Once again, you're making me jealous with your dives in tropical locations, underwater photography, chef-prepared meals, and iPad.
I'd better do some of that soon, before the Mayans arrive on December 21 to update the rest of their calendar.
Your wife takes amazing photos.
I'd think the night dive would be the most interesting.
Robyn: Thanks Robyn, and those cookies were fresh baked daily and delish!
Pat: It was all that for sure. Everyone got along so well which is half the battle when traveling with group that is basically sequestered for a week together.
Hilary: Thanks. It was a great value since the trip was fairly cheap and you didn't have the daily tug of gift shops and such to spend money constantly.
Anni: Since I don't dive either I can identify. But just lazing about and soaking up the sun and the sea air was so tranquil for me. Read three books and made some new friends...all good.
Nate: Do it. I waited longer in life than I should have to enjoy myself more.
Alex: Thanks, she is pretty good for the equipment she has. The night dives would be intimidating to me...not being able to be aware of all your surroundings.
What wonderful photos. And, yep Nemo's friend the blue fish is my favorite.
Can't swim and will never be a diver, Also doubt I will ever get out on the ocean since the Old Salt has had his fill of sea travel, but, I certainly enjoyed taking this virtual tour along with you and your lovely wife. Your excellent tour guides. But, I believe I've told you that before.
Rita: I am glad you enjoyed the photos and the vicarious trip so far!
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