I'm not sure if it's the nice weather we've been having here lately or simply us becoming aware that 2010 is quickly winding down, only to get busier and busier as it goes, but Matt and I have kind of been on a little diving kick recently. So, instead of going over each of the dives separately, I decided it would be more enjoyable for me to write about (and for you to read about) all the highlights from our adventures down under in one post. And by "highlights" I mean cool photos we took or things that we've never done or seen before. Continue scrolling for photos and videos - explanations included... Gorgeous Ocean near Cape Manzamo
Matt gearing up for a dive
Me about to jump in - my first dive not using a full wetsuit
Giant Lion Fish we saw
Check out this video clip of us off-roading to get to another dive spot - we were literally driving through ditches, mud pits and small rivers to get there!
The parking situation at yet another dive spot
The "trail" - How anyone ever found this is beyond me!
A popular dive spot - The Toilet Bowl - gets its name from its relatively round shape and the ledge that surrounds it. This location is rated 5/5 difficulty on the dive scale, because it can have some strong currents and waves in bad conditions. However, it was super calm this day - just like jumping into a pool
Matt did some cliff-jumping since there were plenty of places to jump in from:
Me jumping in Indian-style
We did some swimming afterward - this is what part of The Toilet Bowl looks like underwater
Black and Green Sea Urchin
A neat cave we swam in
Looking out from inside
Another dive trip to the Kerama Islands - our gear in the back of the dive boat
This time, we got to dive Tokashiki Island
Water shot - I can't help taking photos of this every time... like pool water;)
Me about to jump in off the side of the dive boat (with the help of Captain Bruce)
Our first Sea Turtle on the dive - I was SO excited to see this guy! He was larger than one we've seen on a previous dive!
Check out this video clip of us swimming with the Sea Turtle - he was super chill and didn't care we were there:
Matt
Some gorgeous red coral
I love the way the sun rays are shining down through the water in this photo
Matt found some sort of shell thing??
Another cool photo - it feels like we're in an aquarium
I don't think I've ever seen so many fish on a dive as we did on this one!
Tail end of one of the Sea Snakes we saw
Some large coral ball we found on the ocean floor - as you can tell by Matt's expression, we have no clue what it is;)
Me and our friend Amanda on our way down to 70 feet
Shipwreck - not at all as scary as I expected!
Matt and our friend Nick checking it out
Inside part of the wreck
Inside looking out the cabin
Nice macro shot of a Sea Anemone with Clown Fish that Matt took
Matt and Nick swam through a lot of cool crevices on this dive
Check out this video clip Matt took while swimming through some neat coral crevices:
To reach "Dive Master" status, you need 100 logged hours of diving. I'm up to 11 hours 16 minutes... and counting!
-C
Don and I read this blog together! Don is coveting the beautiful blue water! (actually, I'm wishing I was there-however, not diving!) We just heard of 3 divers caught in a wreck - 2 lost their lives (with at least one having been a Dive Master). Please be careful!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Wow - such a friendly turtle!
Oh - we sure would have enjoyed seeing a picture of what your vehicle looked like after that trip! As always, love reading about your adventures! Love you Both! xo
Oh man, we SHOULD have taken a pic of the truck after that! Too bad we didn't - it was covered in mudd up to the windows!
ReplyDeleteBrings me back to the days dad and I off-roaded, the muddier, the better. You could never get me to dive, I'll just enjoy that more dangerous stuff vicariously, thru your blog!
ReplyDeletexo Please be safe xo