We all had a great time diving and site seeing in Florida. We started out by arriving at our Hotel Thursday night, and having Pizza outside of Brad’s room. Due to hurricane Wilma we had to change our lodging to Days Inn near the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. We also had to rent two Vans to transport us and all our gear around for the weekend. At midnight the pizza hit the spot for every one.
We were up early packing the vans to take us to the boat. Our first trip out happened at 10AM for a three-tank dive trip. We dove the “Tracy” the Sea Ranch reef, and Magic Mountain. All were good dives. The viz was a little off from what I am use to here, thanks to Wilma. But we made the best of it. We did two night dives Friday night, the “Captain Dan” and Touch Down reef.
Saturday we dove on the Coral Pillars reef, the wreck of the
“Copenhagen”. Then in the afternoon
we dove the “Sea Emperor” and Abby Too reef. Some went back for a night dive on
the "The Ancient Mariner".
Not finished
yet, Sunday morning we did two more dives, Lighthouse Ledge & Turtle Reef.
A few of the
things we saw: Moray eels, both marbled ones and Giant Green ones. Stingrays on
the Sea Emperor were there as expected, and Glenn found a sleeping nurse shark
under one of the reefs. For some this was there first shark underwater.
Sunday night, we
drove down to Miami’s South Beach and discovered Mangos, a locale reggae bar
and restaurant. Some shopping on the street and lots of people watching. “What
a place” isn’t enough to explain it all.
Any way we all
got back Monday night having gotten some 10 to 12 more dives under our belts.
Two more divers joined the ranks, Jen and Jake where certified. Bob and Olga
completed their Advanced Diver Certification.
I am currently
working on a 4-day trip to the Bahamas for the last weekend in January 2006,
and will be posting it here soon.
Bonaire trip is
being offered for April, please check the website for more information on this
great trip April 8-15,
2006. If you have any questions please contact us. Some of the Divers who experienced
this trip last year have all ready signed up. We have only 11 spaces left out
of 16. So if you are thinking of going sign up now.
Save Diving,
Brad