As I sat on the edge of my bed at the crack of 9AM, my dry mouth and pounding head accentuated the undeniable fact that I had exceeded the recommended Amstel Bright bottom time. Ruth and Jan are a blast to hangout with and sitting in the nice breeze, the Brights seemed to almost show up on their own. And they continued to show up, long into the beautiful Bonaire evening.

Today was going to start out slowly.

After a half a bottle of Listerine and a light breakfast, we loaded our gear and headed south, towards Margate Bay, one of our favorite dive sites. The water appeared slightly rougher than yesterday, but well within our personal limits. I looked at the temperature gauge on my computer. It read 102 degrees.

As I tightened my new regulator to the tank, I marveled at what a wonderful piece of equipment it was. Last night while I was hanging my gear up to dry, I accidentally dropped it on the tile floor – the regulator; computer; the whole works. I cursed like a sailor as I picked it up, imagining all the damage I had just inflicted. But to my surprise, everything looked good. Or at least it did last night.

Before I had the yoke totally tightened, a part fell off and into my hand. It looked to be a plastic spacer, nothing to worry about. But since I am not a regulator technician, I thought it best to seek expert advice. So off we went to The Carib Inn to seek out Bruce.

He affirmed that it was nothing to worry about, but replaced the part anyway. I winced at the price – three dollars. I offered more, but he wouldn’t take it. The regulator worked like a charm. Bruce just earned a customer for life...

We decided to forgo Margate Bay and stopped instead at The Lake. We exited the water at about one o’clock. A quick lunch in the room, and we made the scenic drive up to Ole Blue.

After Ole Blue, I remarked to Leslie that we hadn’t seen any eagle rays, squid, or turtles. We both hoped that would change.

We decided to make a late afternoon/twilight dive at Bari. BDA was having their manager’s rum party and we thought for a minute about skipping the dive and partaking in the festivities. Forty five minutes later, we were glad we made the dive.

We strapped on some 63 cubic foot tanks and slipped under the water. There was a strong current, but we weren’t intending to go far, and as fate would have it, we didn’t have to.

Almost immediately, we came across two squid. Leslie snapped some pictures, and both squid seemed to fall in love with the camera. They kept approaching and actually followed us around for the first half of the dive.

Next, a barracuda – a big one, probably four and a half feet long. He allowed me to get within about a foot of him, and he was just about as long as I am tall. He may have been as much as five feet long.

We turn around from the barracuda, and spied a hawksbill turtle. He was eating frantically, and didn’t mind us watching. So we did. For quite some time.

Then a couple of tarpons circled us blowing bubbles out their gills. Not sure what that indicates, and I had never seen it before, but it was thrilling.

So, to summarize, we saw two squid, a large barracuda, two tarpon, and a hawksbill. All of this was in the first fifteen minutes of the dive. All of it was in less than twenty-five feet of water and no further than twenty yards from the dock. And it wasn’t over yet!

We were below 800 PSI and were about to start our trek towards the exit when a spotted eagle ray comes cruising by. We did our best to swim with him for a while, but he was too fast and the current too strong. But it was still awesome.

So, the next time I have to decide between a manager’s rum punch party and a late afternoon dive, I won’t have to think about it very long. It’s a no brainer.

Dive on Friends.

Dave & Leslie.

Ahhhh we just missed you - we dove Bari around 4:45 to 6:00

I saw those squid - Leslie are you a squid whisperer now too?

Rum Punch or Bari ----- defiantly a no brainer

Well, I had a great time, and so did Jan, but he did skip his annual physical's blood work-ups today... And you certainly can't complain about the service at Sunset--those beers arrived fast and cold!

Watch out Ruth Dave has a way of getting a lady drunk and then taking advantage of her. If he brings up "let's get some food" make sure you don't offer KFC he'll get you to buy.

Not me--I ain't no beer-drinkin' amateur!

Dave - must be 'cause we have the same last name, but Margate is one of our favs too - usually park 10 feet from the edge of the water. The exact opposite (lots of hard corals, maybe the best on the island and less gorgonians) is Taylor Maid (Tailor Made?) up north of BOPEC - definitely worth the trip. Thanks for the report. 38 days and counting...

WOW !!! WHAT A GREAT DIVE DAVE, THANKS FOR YOUR DAILY REPORTS. WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO WED. MY WIFE WANTS TO KNOW IF YOU COULD TIE THE "SPOTTED RAY" UP UNTIL OCT. 3RD !!!

You see Dave, I would have taken the party. The ocean, cudas, (Sarah Palins) rays, and turtles will be around for a long time. I only have so many years to party. You have to make hay while the sun shines, a stitch in time..., Tippecanoe and tyler too.. oh shut up Jim. Great Day 3 Dave.

Jim,

You make a good point.....