Sunday, September 16, 2012

Thar be Whale Shark


My apologies dear reader, for my lack of posts.  It’s been 7 days since my last post, and it is not for lack of trying.  I am realizing that I should at least write in my word processing program so that when the internet is working all I need to do is copy and paste.  I’m a newbie –I’m learning on the fly here. 

So yes, the internet has been down most of the evenings when I’m home, but a lot has happened in the past week.  I don’t think I could have planned a better time to be here than right now.  The first week I was here there was a celebration for the Marine Park.  This week is the celebration of Honduran Independence, and there is a huge fishing tournament. 

The dive shop has not been very busy as this time of the year is usually the rainy, off season.  Many locals take time off the island and not very many tourists visit.  This is a double edge sword for me and my DM training.  I do get a lot of 1 on 1 time with my instructors but part of my training is in customer service and without paying customers I don’t get a lot of practice.  I have had plenty of time to read my texts and will complete the written portion of my education this weekend.  I will still need to take the exams but at least for the DM certification, the reading will be completed.

There has also been plenty of time for Fun Dives.  These are free dives with little work involved except for escort and observation.  I tag along with the DMs and their customers as a back up dive buddy.  This has been a spectacular week for the island’s diving.  There have been multiple rare sightings by our shop and other shops this week.  Pilot whales, dolphins, a hammerhead shark, and an oceanic white tip shark were seen by people this week.  But the most spectacular was a visit by at least 2 whale shark.  

On a dive this week we surfaced to find that a cluster of dive boats had gathered a bit out to sea from the reef’s edge.  As we went to investigate, the dorsal fin of one of the whale sharks broke surface right next to our boat.  You need to be very fast and very quiet while getting your gear on and your butt back in the water.  And by the time we got in the shark had dove down and out of sight.  The next dive that day did get a much better opportunity as the sharks were right under them as they entered the water.  Here is a great shot of one of them that a friend took.

My camera broke last week so I am with out the visuals that I love to post but I am negotiating with another friend to buy her extra camera that also has underwater capabilities so hopefully soon you will be entertained by the beauty of this area.  Both above and below the surface.

Here are some shots that a photographer, Carey Satin, has taken.  She has been diving with us this week and is constantly taking photos.



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