70 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

The Mona Monkey Mission has begun....we arrived safely sans one suitcase that belonged to Doug (don't tell Rkymtwy) or she might not come at all! The bag is due tonight along with the lionshare of the group. (Apparently the plane was too small for all the luggage so a few peices won't make it until the next day.)

As B2B mentioned earlier...we have B2B, Sea Urchin, Sun 50, Little Mermaid (the hot blonde Mike couldn't remember) the hot blonde he could remember CMT489 and DiveGirl!

Our plan is to join the arriving gang for dinner at our resort...we've set up the diving...checked to see that all the fun resturants and bars that I wanted us to visit are still in business after the strorms...gotten all the rooms sorted out and adjusted to where people really are staying...yes keeping Michelle's roommate a secret all this time has been tough...but we at SD.com aim to please and once we again...we have succeeded!

So we are ready for the rest of the gang to get here to help with our search! We will keep you posted on the status of our Mona Monkey Mission...I MUST find my beloved Mandrake...SOON!!! :dltears:

[rkymtwy]

Lost bags, oh no!!!. I had better pack my carry on with care.

See all tomorrow, hopefully with my luggage.

[Walter]

We made two dives this morning from the MV Salsa. My buddy was Michelle (CMT489) for both dives.

Viz isn't great, only about 40 feet, but we're still having fun. The first dive was at Japanese Gardens. We spotted a couple Cero and a Yellowtail Hamlet, fish I rarely have an opportunity to observe. I was also impressed with the Magnificent Feather Duster Worms everywhere. They are huge and don't reteat when you approach. Beautiful! I also spotted the largest Azure Vase Sponge I've ever seen. Kamala lightly took hold of Henry's (ScubaHawk) valve and hitched a ride. What she didn't know was I had a light grip on her tank strap at the same time.

The second dive was on the Wreck of the Veronica. The ship is a basic freighter with nothing unusual to see, but it was on an excellent reef. My buddy and I somehow got separated from the group and had to make due exploring on our on. The DM (Paul) told us that anyone who didn't stay with him wouldn't find their way back to the wreck (and therefore the boat). We didn't seem to have any trouble finding our way, although I must admit the rest of the group did find it first. Were we lost or just not in a hurry? Michelle is great at finding tiny critters on the reef. She also has excellent air consumption, we're pretty even in that department. I highly recommend her as a buddy.

Marvel, I delivered your hugs (OK, so Doug (sun50) preferred to just be told of it, but Henry and the ladies accepted delivery).

The sidewalks are all rolled up on the island on Sunday. It's a slow lazy afternoon. Henry, Rosa (Divegirl412), Que (Sea Urchin) & I went into town earlier, the grocery store is all that is open.

Edited by Walter, 05 September 2005 - 04:20 AM.

[Mishelle]

Sounds like you all are having a great time!

[Marvel]

The diving sounds fantastic! Enjoy, all of you. Thanks for the delivery, Walter!

[Walter]

Last night, Kathy (little mermaid - Mike's hot blonde) amd Michelle highjacked Kamala's happy hour. Instead of having a grand time in Kamala's room we partied in the room of the hot blonde duo. We then traveled to dinner. Henry knows almost every joke ever invented. Those he doesn't know, he figures out before you reach the punch line. During the ride over, we were laughing like crazy before finishing most of the jokes. We'd start to move on, then have to come bac and finish them for Kamala. Lots of fun!

Just before dinner, Carla (rkymtnwy) and William (trey) arrived.

We have another wreck/reef dive combo planned for this morning.

Who is spooning?

[Marvel]

Who is spooning?

Submitted my guess by PM.....

[Walter]

This morning we went out on the Atlantic side to dive the King Mitch, an old freighter that went down with sacks of cement. Paul jumped the wreck in much the same way we often do in Florida, with the exception that he had a scooter to assist.

Dropping in I discovered the current was screaming. Marvel & Maria, it was almost as strong as our dive on Tennaco Towers. I was pleasantly surprised to discover all our divers made it down to the wreck. We reached the side of the King Mitch at about 90 feet where I waited for Michelle in 80 feet of visibility. There were two divers between us on the line, but Michelle is stronger than she looks and I didn't have long to wait.

Dropping vertically along the deck toward the other side, we dropped down on an 8 ft Nurse Shark, As we approached, another Nurse of similar size cruised by. Moving along the wreck, we were buzzed (yes, we had a narcosis buzz, but that's not what I'm discussing) by yet another good sized Nurse. Peeking under the wreck at 116 feet, we saw several more. This wreck is Nurse Shark central. In all, we saw about 8 - 10 Nurse Sharks, all about the same size.

When we began our ascent, I was surprised to discover the current was gone. A rather large school of Horse-eyed Jacks went by us. Michelle cracked up at my attempts to communicate their name, but she understood well enough.

Our second dive this morning was on Lighthouse Reef. This float dive was planned for everyone to follow Paul. Most people stayed with him quite well, but Paul moves quite quickly. Those of you who've dived with me know I relax on dives. Kamala, Russ, Michelle & I soon lost sight of the group in the 30 feet of visibility on the reef with little living coral. Both reefs yesterday were much healthier. We did see 3 Nurse Sharks, about 6 - 8 Southern Sting Rays, a Spiny Lobster and a very large Shy Hamlet. Shy Hamlets are my second favorite of the Hamlets - Gorgeous. The other DM, Bruce, waited for the four of us. If all DMs were like Bruce, I wouldn't object to guided dives as much. He just hung around and stayed in the area. Yesterday, the DMs tried to limit our bottom time, today they recognized we are able to plan our own dives.

When I first dropped in and saw the low viz and dead coral, my expectations for the dive weren't very high, but because of the tremendous fish life and a great buddy, I had a blast.

[ScubaHawk]

Thought I'd share a few pics. It's another great SD trip. Great diving and great people. The best thing about a SD dive trip is you always get to meet old friends and make new ones. It's not the same old group for every trip.


Go here for trip photos

I'm haveing a blast!!!

[finGrabber]

It sounds like ya'll are having a great time!!

Wish I was there!

[tdtexas]

How does the island look? Has it recovered well? I was there three weeks before the hurricane hit last year.

[Brinybay]

...
As B2B mentioned earlier...we have ... Little Mermaid (the hot blonde Mike couldn't remember) the hot blonde he could remember CMT489 and DiveGirl!
...

You forgot yourself on the list of hot blondes!

[Walter]

That wasn't a list of "hot blondes." Rosa may be hot, but she's not blonde.

[WreckWench]

Today we did 3 awesome back to back dives with the first being on the Bianca C. This is the Andrea Doria style luxury liner wreck that sunk in 1963 in shallow water...95 to the top, 110 to the deck and 130 to the bottom of the swimming pool and about 165 to the sand.

EVERYONE had such a great time on her that we are doing her again tomorrow and Thursday!

I am in WRECK HEAVEN!!

Well time for the daily Happy Hour! Its in the HawkMan's room...along with 12,000 tunes he brought with him for the occassion!

Our very own Neptuner has met some island musicians and is jamming with them tonight...but he promises to sing his new hit 'Scuba Cowboy' for us as well as some of his classics that are the first songs on his soon to be released cd. CMT and Little Mermaid are keeping him company and we'll all join up for dinner shortly at a wonderful French Cafe!

Speaking of which...time for the fun to begin! More later...-ww

[WreckWench]

Mona Monkey Update:

We found Mandrake's Brother at Bananas last night. We have pictures to prove it. We are getting close...