8 April 2014-
Yesterday we booked a dugong diving day trip for today. We're supposed to leave this morning (after breakfast) and head out on a boat in search of these unusual sea creatures. Here's a link to dugongs on wikipedia.
Poor Ava is covered in bumps! We even went to the resort doctor who gave us some stronger anti-itch cream…which STILL didn't help. It seems that nothing helps these nasty bites/stings! Later we bumped into her diving instructor from the previous day and she recommended putting tiger balm on the stings. (that stuff BURNS!) She did say it warmed the skin but it also helps calm it in the end. As we didn't have any tiger balm with us and the resort's shop doesn't carry any she used some of hers to rub on Ava's stings.
On the boat…heading out in search of dugongs. I really want to see one!
A contemplative Annika….she's a little nervous about swimming with these mammals.
Just as we arrived to our first location someone spotted a dugong. Sadly, when they hear motors and loud noises they leave the area quickly. Needless to say – that one didn't stick around.
Mark is already in the water…here's Annika getting ready to jump in on our first dive:
Annika got to dive with Brenda. Since Annika is only licensed to go to 12m (with the junior open water certifcation). The rest of us can go to 15m. Annika had some trouble initially sinking down…I have to say getting the right weights is tricky. On the first day I was too light and had trouble sinking but now I'm thinking I have too many weights.
Annika with Brenda:
Another sea turtle!
Annika:
We did two dives today.
Mark and others saw lobsters, an octopus, two sea turtles among other things. I'm bummed because I honestly only saw one sea turtle. After talking to the other divers back on the boat I feel that I missed seeing a bunch of things.
Annika….curled up and napping on the boat:
Ava napping on the boat.
The boat crew searched and searched for a dugong…but sadly this was a dugong-free dive. Waaaah!!!! It certainly was a nice dive and we did get to see a lovely coral reef but I was really hoping to see these interesting mammals (who are related to the Florida manatees).