I didn't sleep worth a damn. My feet were acting up. Wouldn't you know that I didn't bring any percocet or oxycontin along. I went to bed around 10:00, but I didn't get to sleep until after midnight and I kept waking up all night long because of the pain. It ain't easy being a crip. Just a great way to start a trip.
After breakfast we got our orientation by Serge. This is the fourth time I've heard it and I could prolly do it by now.
Then it was time to gear up and get into the water. Our first dive is always off the dock so we can check out our buoyancy and make sure we have the correct amount of weight. I didn't have enough so I had to add another two pounds. I'm still using less weight than I used last year.
There are actually 22 of us on this trip but only 17 of us are diving. What I think is awesome is how many of the able bodied divers took the HSA Dive Buddy course and got certified. I'm diving with Helen and Clark and their 17 year old daughter Ana (who is part fish). All three of them are HSA Dive Buddy certified.
Of course we have Bert who owns Divers@Sea and is responsible for all of us reprobates. He took this picture of me back in 2001 on Roatan. I'm the one on the left.
We also have super diver Graham and the very sweet Risa.
These folks have to work very hard. For example, Cindy Donald, who has her own foundation (feel free to donate) is a C4 quad. Risa and Bert are diving with her and they have to control her buoyancy as well as propel her through the water. They also have to help her clear her mask and make sure she clears her ears. Cindy has an incredibly positive attitude. She, her parents, and her brother were on the trip with us last year and they still came back for more.
I'll prolly introduce the rest of the group during the next few posts.
This afternoon, we went out to a dive site known as Windsock. Appropriately enough it's near the airport. It's a good site for the first boat dive. I got to try out my new webbed gloves. Since my main means of propulsion are my hands, it would stand to reason that webbed gloves would help. They did. I'm a much more powerful swimmer with them.
I wandered off on my own this evening and ate at a restaurant named Bambu. I had jumbo shrimp wrapped in prosciutto ham served in a mango sauce. I washed it down with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. I wanted a glass of Pinot Grigio, but they were out.
Here's a picture I took from outside my room.
Ahhhhhhhhh! Serenity now!
Posted by: DanS. on September 21, 2008 10:04 PMBeautiful, just beautiful. Wish we were there.
Milton
Posted by: Milton on September 21, 2008 10:24 PM"I'm the one on the left."
Hehehehe. Liked that one.
Nice view you had there. I thought you said you weren't too good at photography, Denny? That picture is perfect.
Posted by: red collar on September 21, 2008 10:45 PMWish I could send you some Percocets. Hope you sleep well tonight.
I printed the photos. Beautiful scenery. Good-looking birds ;-). Never seen anything like that in Ontario!
Posted by: Claudia on September 21, 2008 11:02 PMOh man...
Posted by: CharlieDelta on September 21, 2008 11:56 PMDenny, Please keep the sunsets coming. I hope we can cover more of your trip this week. That parrot - you did say on the right? What about some underwater photos? English Guy
Posted by: English Guy on September 22, 2008 05:20 AMI'm a c5/c6 and I don't have the balls to scuba dive. I would love to talk to Cindy about her training.
Great sunset.
Damn, son. You got it tough. You SURE you don't need a gun bearer, food taster, luggage toter, boon companion ?!? Seriously, sorry about the pain, however.-Sandy G.
Posted by: Sandy G on September 22, 2008 11:52 AMGorgeous, just gorgeous.
We'll miss you at the Guild event, but I suspect you won't miss a thing. Enjoy!
Posted by: Elisson on September 22, 2008 12:52 PMWebbed gloves! What a great idea.
I should really get my HSA cert. It would have been nice to have on the Brac last year. They had a lady in a wheelchair there (I don't know her details) and they really didn't know have to handle her. She should have made arrangements in advance, but still...it would have been nice to be able to help.
Yummy Foto!
Posted by: LisaKay on September 22, 2008 06:50 PMNow that's paradise.
Posted by: Darrell on September 22, 2008 09:38 PMToren - That's why it really sucked with them closing down the Divi on the Brac. Max was HSA certified and all the dive masters were great as well. Reef Divers over at Little Cayman isn't too bad. I think the diving is better over there anyway.
Have you heard how the Brac made out after the hurricanes? Is your condo OK?
Posted by: Dennyd on September 22, 2008 10:03 PMThat picture of you and the bird cracks me up. You look like a pirate!
Posted by: Bou on September 22, 2008 10:10 PMGreat pics and good stories! More, please!
I'm sorry you did not pack your pain meds. Is there a clinic or hotel doctor you could visit for s prescription, just to hold you over til you get home?
Posted by: Mary on September 23, 2008 12:04 AMCan't argue that LC has the better diving. I usually borrow my friend's zodiac and head over a few times. It's only a few miles.
The condo came through fine. AC wrecked (will need a new compressor), and a few tiles off the roof.
Mary - I have the everyday pain meds. This was pain that only hits me once or twice a year and only lasts for a day. I'm all OK now.
Mike - You can go to the HSA site and try to find an HSA instructor in your area and talk to him about the training you require to become an adaptive diver.
Posted by: Denny on September 23, 2008 04:22 PM