Boraski and Caleb

I’ll have some banana donuts (buñelos åga) from last night before we pick up Boraski (the only other diver in the group) and go to a proper breakfast at Manny’s. We dive at Gab Gab Beach, and it’s great to only be restricted by air consumption and not a mandatory time set by the company that owns the boat. We enter via ladder, swim over the short shelf, and then view the fish and deeper water safely. We are thrilled to see two sea turtles and get our tanks refilled to go to Gun Beach with much enthusiasm.

The dive shop told us to follow the pipes out over the shallow rock bed, which I thought was local code for something, but the four pipes are visible and will come in handy later when the sea gets rough. We walk out, see more turtles, and come back early because the tide is changing. I’ll get some fire coral on my left arm and leg, and while I’m holding on with my fingernails to one of the algae-covered pipes, I happen to see an octopus hiding in the safe confines behind a rock. I attempt a photo-op while the ocean keeps trying to toss me around and worsens visibility.

Gab Gab Beach

I knew I still had plenty of air, so I was going to attempt to ride out whatever this was (without knowing how long these tide changes last), especially at three feet below the surface. It’s a good thing I didn’t wait longer, as the guys had caught a wave heading towards the beach that sent their bodies and bubbles my way first and then left them bloody-legged on the rocks. As I stood to steady myself with the weight of my tank, I saw Caleb coming out to rescue his wife and go for round two if need be. He helps me to shore, and I’m still exhilarated.

Gun Beach

We stop at Fish Eye Underwater Observatory, where the water is calm and shallow, but the guys are beat, literally, so we get gas for the car ($1.28 cheaper on base) and return our rental gear. The shop charges us for not capping our regulators before rinsing them, as salt water can damage internal components and requires immediate servicing. We’re used to capping them and then rinsing gear when we get back to shore, so it was our mistake. Caleb gets a shirt with a hood, and Boraski sleeps on the way back to the hotel.

giant clam

We make an early dinner while oohing and aahing over our dive pictures. Two hours later, and I’m ready for bed. I tried reading, but the lamp wasn’t installed with that in mind (in bed or the chair), and there is no ceiling light. It seems that diving for hours had a tiring effect on me, too, as well as spending the day under the sun. Caleb finally gives in, and we’re in bed by 730 pm.

hermit crabs

octopus tentacle and stony coral