Beginning of the diving

As is often the case with this kind of set up, the diving is made very easy for us. The crew work a long, hard day lugging our gear out to the boat, getting us into it, hoisting it back out of the water at the end of each dive so we can climb the ladder unencumbered. Our guide, Ruel, is lovely, funny and diligent in looking for and pointing out to us the assorted critters on our wishlist.

It is absolutely beautiful down there. The first dive site was on a wall with a spectacular array of hard and soft corals, and complete nudi heaven. Stunning colours, like meandering through a garden. We spent our 2nd and 3rd (a night dive) on the same site at a couple of wrecks just off the beach. Highlights were a very curious sea snake and a flying gurnard who put on a display for us in the afternoon. At night the site took on a whole different complexion, with tiny critters to be found in all the crevices of the barrel corals that are very common. No great photos from day 1, but I've included the flying gurnard just because he was cool.

Day 2 we were on the search for pygmy seahorses, which we found on the 3rd dive but I need glasses in my mask. Plus with a current, and with all the delightful life around us it was hard to find an anchor which didn't endanger something or other. Oh lordy, so tiny. Snapped a few shots in the hope that I might capture it but alas, photo fail. One of the guys on the trip got a great shot so I'll see if he's happy to share. That site, Fantasea, was so good most of us returned with the view that we would be happy to do the remaining 20 or so dives right there. More spectacular colours, diverse corals and fish, nudies and clown fish.

Big storm and a blackout momentarily last night, although power returned just in time for my scheduled massage and Ruby is my favourite person ever. Its been dreary much of the time, but we don't really care - the benefits of a diving holiday!