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Bahamas Journal
Bahamas Pre Trip Scuba Practice
Our
first stop - the Bahamas. Okay, technically this is not the first stop of our
trip as we still have two months to go, but this was a practice run. We used our
gear as a test. Through Grand Bahamas vacations, Keith and I purchased a three
day, three night package to Grand Bahamas island. The trip (airfare and lodging)
cost less than a $1000 and the primary purpose was to practice our scuba diving.
We arrived in Freeport on Grand Bahama island, late night on October 30. Our hotel, the Island Palm, had clean rooms (that is about the best I can say, but it was all we needed). The next morning we were set to go on our first dive. The first task was to get to the beach. This involved getting a taxi, as we discovered we were 15 minutes from the hotel. This set a precedent for the next two days - we would leave in the morning via taxi, return in early afternoon and then go back for dinner. We learned that on our trip we must figure out public transportation as this was quite expensive.
After gearing up, we went out on the Explorer 1 with about 10 others for our first dive. I was definitely nervous as this was our first dive without an instructor. But I did it and even enjoyed it. We went off the Lucayan port and dove about 50 feet. Our visibility was amazing, 80 ft (as opposed to 5 ft in VA) Colorful angelfish, parrotfish and many other variegated fish and coral were all around me. I had trouble with my mask fogging and a loose BC which I will have to fix in the future. After this dive, we went to the private beach of the Lucayan resort - just walked through the hotel to it. and pretended we were guests. That evening we wanted to go someplace interesting for dinner and discovered the Grand Bahama island does not offer much other than the tourist beach area. The rest of the island (what we saw) did not have much in historical or natural significance. And there was no where to walk around and explore. (actually there may have been a few areas on the east end, but we did not get there) However, the island suited our purpose - a couple days of great diving and weather.
The second day we went on 2 dives and saw SHARKS! Our morning dive we went to 80 feet and followed a guide. Again, beautiful coral and fish, and then a shark swam by. I breathed very slowly because I did not want him (her?) to see my bubbles. There were others too! The shark dive, where the company feeds the sharks, was earlier in the morning which may be why they were in the area. I was scared, but it was cool. And I am glad I did not know they were there beforehand because I would have thought about it. The bad thing on this dive is that Keith and I were not vigilant about air monitoring, relying on the guide. Lesson: Rely on ourselves and not on the guide. Our next dive, about 50, we were much better. Again we saw sharks! I am surprised how beautiful the coral is - bright purples and oranges. On this dive, we say many schools of fish; it was pretty cool to be right in the middle as they swim by. I was disappointed we could not dive the last day (because we were flying home). The rest of the second day and third day, we lay at the beach. I enjoyed running along the crystal clear blue water.
Check out the Bahamas Photos