Diving with the Spirit of Freedom

Posted on June 20, 2016 by debbie

We board the Spirit of Freedom today with 24 other divers. This is the first time on a dive boat with more than 16 divers. First impressions-it is crowded, too crowded. More later.

There is a lot of talk when first on a dive boat. There is a boat briefing, a safety briefing, introductions, dive paperwork to fill out, dive gear to set up, lunch, and then two dives, both with briefings. Lots of talk. It is now 6:30 pm and we have just showered and dressed after the second dive. Supper soon.

Like I said, the boat is crowded. The dive deck is very congested. Six divers per side all trying to gear up at the same time. Not much elbow room. Once in the water, the ocean feels crowded. There are only three dive masters/instructors for the 26 people, so if we want to follow one, we are following 4 or 5 divers, which we did as we need to get our bearings. We are used to diving with very few folks so this is quite a change for us.

Okay, now the bright side…..FISH!!!

In the two dives we have seen fish we have never seen before! I do not take my camera down today so I can concentrate on diving, so no photos. Tomorrow, I shoot. We see a HUGE balloon fish, small ray, a couple of turtles, all sorts of unfamiliar coloured fish, both small and large.

Tomorrow we go to where the Minke Whales happen by. Fingers crossed.

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Gold Coast to Cairns

Posted on June 19, 2016 by debbie

We leave M&D today and fly to Cairns. D is studying for and then writing her end of term exams. We did not want to interfere with her studying, so we planned a scuba dive trip on a live aboard for a week and then we will pick up a rental car and drive from Cairns to Gold Coast, arriving after D has finished her exams. More hugs all around and then we are off.

We are flying Virgin Australia today. First time for a Virgin company flight. Their rules for baggage are quite different, only one carry on bag is allowed with a maximum weight of 7 kg. Each customer is allowed one free piece of checked luggage weighing a maximum of 23 kg. So we have to check our Rollie suitcases as they definitely weigh more than allowed. Murray is concerned about the weight of his backpack, but the agent is not concerned with our knapsacks. We must have made them look really light! The one good thing about limiting carry on bags is that the plane loads more quickly. No one was trying to lift bulky Rollie bags up into the overhead bins. Just slide into a seat and put the bag under the seat in front. Easy.

Virgin sent out an email yesterday about possible bad weather affecting our flight. We were scheduled to leave at 4:50 pm which was in the middle of a possible storm. I phoned Virgin and we switched our flight to a 1:30 pm departure for no charge. I have never had an airline provide this type of service before. I am impressed. Airlines in North America should be doing this during the winter months when storm fronts are known and moving in. We decided to fly earlier to take the stress away from a possible delayed flight. We are boarding the dive live aboard at 11:00 tomorrow and wanted to ensure we are in Cairns to do that.

We are now in Cairns at a backpackers hostel. The room, with our own bathroom, is pretty austere, but it will work for one night. We are sitting in a common area where there is WIFI access and we are by far the oldest folks in here.

It is warmer here than in Gold Coast, but still rainy. A message from M tells us it is really pouring in Gold Coast, so it sounds like it was prudent for us to take an earlier flight from Brisbane. Dodged that one.

We board the dive live aboard at 11:00 and are looking forward to communing with the fish. WIFI may be sketchy when out to sea, so if we do not post daily, we will play catchup once we are within range again.

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Urban Aus

Posted on June 18, 2016 by murray

It is a day about town. Gold Coast has grown since I was here last in 1986. It has turned into a real city with big malls, urban sprawl and traffic to rival any western world city.

Pacific Fair,  the ubiquitous mall, you would think you were in Edmonton. Not much different except the names on the storefronts. There are sections of the mall exposed to the elements but 99% is covered and air conditioned.

Gold Coast

Another walk along the beach, the water is omnipresent here and a big part of life. It is “winter” so the beach is not too crowded. There are a few folks out, mostly surfers in wet suit and a few swimmers. There are walkers, runners and cyclists plying the path that we walk. To us flatlanders the sound of the water is ear candy and the vision of the waves rolling up onto the beach is mesmerizing.

Surfboard Inspired bench

Surfboard Inspired bench

It is almost afternoon on Saturday and like any place people are starting to emerge from their hovels and everything is becoming crowded so we head back to M & D’s for lunch. No use slogging about in traffic.

Weather tomorrow looks a little sketchy for tomorrow in Brisbane. Whilst traveling along the road M’s phone rings and Virgin Australia is informing Debbie and me  we may experience some delays in our flight to Cairns. We HAVE to be in Cairns by 11am Monday. No ifs, ands, buts or maybes. They suggest we look at taking an earlier flight, but their phone system is broken and there is a fat chance of getting our times change. Yet after our next adventure we are able to connect and we are now to leave early afternoon which will give us enough time to get to our destination.

kookaburra

Kookaburra

Shortly after lunch we head off to our first ‘tourist destination’, the dam. I think it is called Hinze Dam. Behind the dam is the water destined for the taps of Gold Coast. Not much ground water in this end of the world, but there is lots of rain so they have built a dam to store the rain water and the population centers have a supply of water year round.

Hinze Dam

Impressive structure as is any dam. What I noticed is the downstream side of the dam very closely resembles a Mayan pyramid. More the slope then the texture but that image is what came to my mind.

On tap for this evening’s dinner is M & D’s favorite Australian pizza. As with most foods, pizza has become universal and even though we should be eating kangaroo or koala it is pizza we will eat.

I do like the size of this city as it is quite walkable. You can’t travel on foot everywhere, the city has grown in an organic fashion and has no real centre so the distance could be a factor but the tram or bus are reasonabley reliable. The temperature, the winter temperature, is very pleasant and walking about is very enjoyable. People here don’t seem to realize what they don’t have to drive everywhere thus the traffic congestion. It is not only North America that has a human reprogamming problem.

I think M & D chose a good place to live. The urban environment provides for a comf0rtable living situation yet the stress of a very large city is not there. It is also easy to escape, the hinterland is close so a day in the forest is mind soothing or a morning on the beach body surfing is a short walk away.

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Aus

Posted on June 17, 2016 by murray

Arrived and safely too. It was a long haul from Vancouver to Brisbane. 14 hours. It was one of our better Air Canada experiences. The planes were on time, the ground staff was nice and helpful, and the in-flight crew were, to say the least, outstanding. Not able to slag AC for any reason whatsoever this time. RATS!

A few weird things though. On most flights, any free in flight meals have been discontinued but on this flight we were served 3 times??? A midnight dinner, literally midnight, then a couple of hours later, while we are asleep, a sandwich is dropped off on the tray table, and then just before we landed breakfast is brought around. Way more food then necessary. I really only eat breakfast.

Getting into Aus is a little more complicated than we expected for a Commonwealth country. We need a visa??? Then our papers get checked again before we can board the plane that is going to land on Australian soil. We land and patience is a commodity required in vast amounts as we sit at the gate. We have to sit and wait while the plane is sprayed with “non-toxic” insecticide. I think by definition insecticide is toxic, so I don’t really know what they are talking about but it sure makes you feel secure.

Off the plane and it is breeze through immigration and customs. The pre entry rigmarole seems like a scare tactic but I am not the guy that is going to push the envelope and test the system.

We take the AirTrain from the Brisbane airport south to Gold Coast. The train system is a bit screwed up and you would think in an English speaking country it would be easy to navigate the transportation system. First we barely missed the train we needed to take, which was just bad timing. Two different employees gave us two different times for the next train. 15 minutes later a train arrives with ‘Gold Coast’ indicated on the front. The train lady says it is the train we need and it will go all the way to our stop. We board the train. Others headed south also board. Once we are moving an announcement is made informing all passengers that were told the train would go to the Gold Coast that in fact it would not go there and we would have to disembark at Brisbane Central and catch the next train. We did and we arrived at the appointed station. I think our first urban train ride in Kolkuta was easier.

M meets us at Helensvale station and it is good to see him in person. Skype is not too tactile. Debbie hugs M at least four times before we can get into to the car. We are tired as we plunk ourselves down in M & D’s condo and then head out for a walk, the bank, lunch, and the ocean.

Gold coast

I’ve been here before but I don’t remember details, even large ones. The beach is big, real big. We are at the 30.4 km mark and it goes as far as we can see in the opposite direction.

gold Coast

The water looks powerful and inviting. We walk in the surf, the water is quite cold but I think we’ll survive a dip or two.

Gold coast

We’re tired. Only a few hours of sleep in the last 2 days or so. Need to turn our clocks around in 2 days. We’ll be on the dive boat on Monday morning. So, are going to try to stay awake until 9 pm. It is now 5 and 9 looks a mile away.

Hanging out with M for the day, and then D when she gets home from school, was worth the long trip to get here and it is only day one. Looks like the rest of the month is going to be good.

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Almost Ready…..

Posted on June 13, 2016 by debbie

We are mostly packed, only the last minute stuff to organize. The checked suitcase is packed, zipped closed and ready to go. The “To Do Before Leaving” list has a few items crossed out, but most of the list has to be done on the day we leave. The house is as tidy and clean as it is going to get, short of washing the last dishes and a quick clean of the bathroom.

So, now what? The problem with being too organized and efficient is that we, or mostly I, run out of things to do just prior to a long trip. I don’t want to start a new project to only leave it partially done, and forget where I was by the time we get home.

Sunday I read for what seems like hours, finishing the book I had my nose into. Laundry. There is always some laundry to do.

I have a few days to fill in before we leave and some of it will be taken up with exercise, a hair cut and an hour or so at work to clean up there. There will be some empty hours to fill while I think about seeing M&D, scuba diving, body surfing the waves and exploring new lands.

Let’s see how successful I am at keeping occupied.

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Saba Photos

Posted on June 12, 2016 by debbie
Peppermint Shrimp, Hermit Crabs and 3 Decorator Crabs

Peppermint Shrimp, Hermit Crabs and 3 Decorator Crabs

Our photos of Saba, both underwater and above the water are now posted!

Coral Banded Shrimp

Coral Banded Shrimp

To view photos, hover over “Photos”, in the main menu bar, until the drop down menu appears. Click on “Saba 2016” in the drop down menu. Wait until the photos load. Click on the first photo and a “slide show” view will appear. Scroll through the photos using the arrow on the right. Click on the “x” in the upper right hand corner to exit out of the slide show.

Enjoy!

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Controlled Vanity

Posted on June 3, 2016 by debbie

I have been struggling with what clothes to take to Australia. This is not our typical trip. It is a combination of dive, car travel and exploring, visiting family and friends and city trip. Our dive trips usually require just shorts, tees and swim suits. Our non dive travels usually take us to countries where it doesn’t matter if I look a little schlumpy and wrinkled. We are now going diving and to a “civilized” and fashionable country.

On top of that, we are still carrying our dive gear and clothes in carry on luggage to ensure that it arrives when we do. We are taking an extra suitcase, that we will check, with various clothes and items for our kids, M&D.

What to do!!!!!

I have been trying to sort it all out in my head and finally had to start pulling out possibilities. I lay it out on the bed and leave it there for the afternoon, studying it every once in a while. That’s when that vanity thing starts to itch. Will I look okay when we go out for supper with M&D in that old skirt? Am I “fashionable” enough? ARRRRRRGG!

I have to run errands, so I decide to make one of my stops Eddie Bauer to see if they have skirts that would be appropriate. I wander the store, try on a few items and then decide that what I have will be just fine. We won’t be supping out with M&D too much, so I will be just fine. Just fine! I keep telling myself. And it is only when we are in Gold Coast with M&D that I care. When Murray and I are alone traveling, I am not too concerned as Murray dresses very casual.

Once home, I sort and pile the clothes I decide to take. I am going to sneak a shirt or two and an alternate “warm” layer into the checked suitcase for our Gold Coast portion of the trip. These items won’t go scuba diving with us, but will be available for the rest of the trip.

Here is what I am taking for clothes to Australia:

Wearing on Airplane

  • Buff – in case my head gets cold
  • Rain jacket – doubles as a blanket!
  • Heavier warm layer – I freeze on airplanes
  • Scarf
  • Long sleeved wool shirt
  • Short sleeved wool shirt
  • Bra/Undies
  • Hiking pants
  • Socks
  • Light hiking shoes
Wearing on the airplane

Wearing on the airplane

Packed in Carry On Suitcase

  • 3 Swimsuits – a diving/maintaining body warmth thing
  • 1 Bra/2 Undies
  • Snorkel Shirt
  • 2 pr Shorts – one daytime, one evening
  • 1 Skirt
  • 2 Shirts – dressier for evening
  • Flip Flops
  • Sunhat
Packed in carry on suitcase

Packed in carry on suitcase

Packed in Checked Suitcase

  • Lighter warm layer
  • Sandals
  • 2 shirts
Packed in checked suitcase

Packed in checked suitcase

Basically, I have a pair of shorts and 2 shirts for “daytime” wear. For “evening” wear I have a pair of shorts, a skirt, 2 dressier tops and a lighter warm layer. The “evening” shorts could also be worn in the city in the daytime to be slightly dressier.

The pants, jacket, scarf, sandals, 2 extra shirts and heavier warm layer will stay in Gold Coast while we are on the dive portion of the trip as it will be warmer in the north.

We are still two weeks out from leaving and I sometimes make adjustments, but I think I can live with this controlled vanity and what I have decided to pack for Australia.

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Aus Approaches

Posted on May 25, 2016 by murray

Australia is fast approaching. Don’t know how up to date we are with the blog but our son, M, and daughter-in-law, D, have moved to Australia and we are about to encroach into their space and visit. D has a break from school the second week of July so we scheduled a visit to mesh with the break.

It is a long way to Aus and I hate to do a two week trip with that distance covered so it has been extended to a month. A week of diving from a live-a-board on THE reef, a week plus of touring and about 10 days of visit/touring. After Saba we left most of our dive stuff in the bags in a closet ready to hauled out and packed tight. Today I started to add to the pile, fine tuning what we need for a month. Haven’t done a long trip like this one for a while so it is a learning, or maybe remembering, experience all over again. We will also be stepping out of our ‘carry-on only box’ to transport things D & M had left behind and after 5 months abroad find they need.

library mess

The mess that is our library

Two or three days ago we spent time refining a budget for the trip. We needed to know how much cash we are going to carry. Aus is credit card friendly, they don’t charge user fees, and most places take cards. With the Amazon Visa we do not get charged any fees over and above the exchange rate so I think a credit card is a good alternative. We will use ‘the bank of son’ (this is the reverse of the ‘bank of dad’) to do our cash exchange since he is changing C$ to Aus$ often and in much greater quantities than we would so he gets a good rate.

We have also decided to return to Kona in November. The diving is good there and we are not traveled out for this year, at least prior to a four week trip to Australia. This will keep me occupied for the next three weeks til we exit to Australia.

September is still open and we are looking at maybe departing again, this discussion is ongoing but if we don’t make up our minds soon, the time will pass. We will see what comes of that.

Ciao for now

 

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Last Day on Saba

Posted on May 1, 2016 by debbie

Our last day on Saba is a non dive day. Feels weird not to dive. We hike up to one to the hills for a view of Windwardside. The hike is up steep mossy steps in the forest, the view is wonderful.

image

We laze by the pool, nap, go “downtown” to settle our dive bill and do our shopping. Easy day.

As we sit outside the bakery eating lunch, I notice that almost every vehicle that passes by has scrapes on the side or corner of the vehicle. The roads here are so narrow and are bordered by stone or concrete walls, that it is easy to accidentally rub against them. Murray and I decide that if we were to drive here, we would choose the tiniest car available!

image

Saba is a very unique island. Living in a “mountain” setting but going down to the ocean every day to dive. We both have enjoyed our stay here and will one day return. Good bye Saba, until next time!

image

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Saba, The Diving

Posted on April 29, 2016 by murray

Another last day blog. It doesn’t matter how many time I travel, the last day is always a sad one. It seems as if we have been here always, the routine is easy, get up eat, dive, dive, back to base, shower and eat, do the blog, rest, eat, chat and sleep. How can this be bad??? Some might not like the simplicity but I can live with it. Tomorrow is a hike day, we will replace ‘hike’ for ‘dive’ on the routine, and see what that brings.

Regardless if the hike turns out, it is sad to finish diving. Our last two dives are just what we require. The first dive is one of the signiture dives on Saba, Diamond Rock. It is a deeper dive. Most of it is 85 ft. There are two coral pillars quite large in diameter with a ton of wildlife. Dive two is a repeat for Debbie and I, Tent Wall. I really like this dive too. The wall is interesting at any depth and off the end of the boat mooring there are several coral heads that house an abunance of things to look at. A prefect way to finish diving.

image

The climate here is such that we need tomorrow to dry our gear, so even though normally we would dive to the last day, because wet gear weighs a ton and we are slightly overweight as it is.

image

I really like the diving here. I learned to find a couple of new fish. Slender Filefish, he hides in very wavy golden colored coral. If you see him don’t take your eyes off him, just stare and wave at your buddy, if you blink he will disappear into the coral and you will not see it again. The other thing I find often is Fireworms. Have found them before but they are in abundence here. There is no too much unusual here but the diving is really consistant. On every dive site the reef is in good shape, there is lots of fishies, and tons of color. Two of the dives we had horrendous current but the others were peaceful, easy adventures.

image

We will be back underwater soon and we know the dates, so it is not overly depressing but as I said above, it is still sad to say good bye to our sea friends.

image

 

 

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