8 replies to this topic

[Boatlawyer]

So, I was just standing around minding my own business in the internet cafe on Holbox and who to my wondering eyes should appear... but Wreck Wench her ownself!

My daughter and I travelled to Holbox for a whale shark tour on the day after the SD divers. Kamala was kind enough to invite us along to the (fabulous) SD pizza party later than evening, where we were introduced to all manner of smiling, sun-kissed, champagne sipping, lobster pizza eating SD divers! What a blast to meet all of you!

Scott, however, was our special HERO! Having experienced mal de mer on his first WS tour, he graciously offered us a supply of Bonine for our upcoming trip. On the way to his hotel to pick up da drugs, he detoured us to the local ice cream "parlor," which was literally in a local Holboxian's living room! What a treat. He then showed us his luxurious abode at the Holbox Hilton, hosed us down liberally with bug spray and escorted us back to our modest digs at the Posada Mawimbi.

Our trip the next day was incredible. Only two whalesharks, but, one, (Angelina Jolie was her name, judging by the size of her mouth), stuck around for nearly two hours letting us irritate her in all manner of non-whale shark ways, coming back to our bobbing boat over and over again. We saw plenty of dolphins, a leaping manta ray, and went snorkeling on a local reef where the others saw a resident nurse shark. All of which would have been decidely unfabulous without Scott's Bonine.

Thanks again Travelnsj and Kamala.

[Capn Jack]

You probably knew this, but for the rest of the readers - Scott aka travelnsj - was a driving force behind the Holbox trip. He has been chasing a whale shark encounter for some time, and did a great deal of research to help SD put this trip together.

Whale Sharks are migratory beasties, so it ain't SeaWorld with a 9am "show" - maybe they'll be around, maybe not.

Holbox enjoys a phenomenon of currents and whatever to keep the little critters in one general area for several weeks/months each year.

In the two days we went out, I believe we saw in the range of 25-40 of these magnificent sharks, and all of us got to snorkel with them numerous times.

THANKS Scott.

[Basslet]

How cool that you met up that way. Yes, Scott is always thinking of new dives to do. I wish I could have done the Holbox trip but funds are limited. How old is your daughter? I have a 16 yo boy I'm taking to Bonaire in 3 weeks. I really wanted to try and do a single parent dive one day...but I guess I need Scott to organize it.

[Boatlawyer]

My daughter is 18 and just graduated high school (thank you Jesus). Given the choice between a graduation trip to Manhattan (she's into fashion design) or to Holbox to swim with whale sharks, she miraculously chose the latter.

When we got certified two years ago, she got on the whale shark binge for some reason, and was still interested when I proposed the trip.

We also went diving in Playa Del Carmen, and ziplining/rapelling/ snorkeling in a cenote tour. When we weren't doing any of that, we hung at our all-inclusive, which was nice because she met lots of kids, well, one kid from Anaheim in particular, which made the trip extra-special for her, you know how girls are.

As for going as a single parent, there seemed to be a number of us around. Even dove with one who brought his 8 year old son! Gotta hand it to him, I mean you can't exactly, leave an 8 year old alone at the pool.

Come to think of it, I went diving here last sunday, and there was a single mom with her 16 or so year old son. They were from South Carolina, I think. He was so nice, not just to his mom, but to everyone on the boat.

Does your son dive?

[Basslet]

Does your son dive?

Oh yeah. He's AOW and Nitrox certified. We went to Roatan in April 2005 and I'm taking him to Bonaire in three weeks. He'll be a high school senior in Sept. I can't believe it.
He's nice to everyone EXCEPT me. But actually, he's been much better lately since he's been taking an EMT class and will be volunteer for our town's ambulance squad. Maybe a little responsibility had done wonders for him.

[Boatlawyer]

Yeah, plus he's probably realizing how lucky he is to have a mom who dives with him!

[Boatlawyer]

You probably knew this, but for the rest of the readers - Scott aka travelnsj - was a driving force behind the Holbox trip. He has been chasing a whale shark encounter for some time, and did a great deal of research to help SD put this trip together.

Whale Sharks are migratory beasties, so it ain't SeaWorld with a 9am "show" - maybe they'll be around, maybe not.

Actually, I did not know how much Scott contributed until I met everyone in Holbox. I read about the trip on the board, but needed two spots and at the time only one was available. So, I planned a little trip myself, using local buses, searching for hotel online, etc.

I felt very lucky to see the whale sharks! And not get seasick!

[WreckWench]

Scott truly was the trip hero! Thank you again! -ww

P.S. I can also thank you for the 5 extra pounds mostly attributed to the 'ice cream' he seemed to discover on every street corner!

[Basslet]

You know, I am psyched about this Australia trip. I'm relying on you guys to find the best diving and the best sightseeing.