Last I wrote was from Grand Turk. Well things are always getting better it seems though the diving in Grand Turk will be hard to beat. On Thursday I was diving all day (except for about 3 hours in the afternoon. We did a 2-tank dive to 2 sites: Tunnels, exactly as it sounds. This is an area of coral where you pass through 'tunnels' in the coral mounds which tower 20 feet overhead; and MacDonald's, so called because of a double arches formed by the coral mounds, through which we swam, that resemble a giant 30 ft. high M.
After an afternoon of napping and other activities I was back at the dive shop by 5:45 for a night dive. This was my first and I loved every moment. Apparently many people find it a bit clostrophobic or oppressive the first time. Not me. I was just too excited about seeing the sea creatures that only come out at night. We saw a baby octopus, giant red crabs, huge spiny lobsters and erd shrimp everywhere. There were dozens of eels: spotted moray, snake moray, and others. The sleeping parrotfish were so neat... they actually create a bubble-like protective cacoon around themselves and then take turns at guard duty. I am now totally addicted to diving and to night diving especially.
I left Grand Turk Friday afternoon to erturn to Provo. Stayed overnight on Provo at the Airport Inn. Got on a Global flight to Middle Caicos (current population recently dropped from 275 to 271) on Saturday morning with a group of 7 other people. There was a Middle Caicos Cultural Awareness Event that we were all heading over to enjoy. It was a great weekend We were treated to breakfast at the Middle Caicos Co-op in Danny's Cafe by our hostess Sara upon arrival. Sara is an expatriot Canadian from Kitchener, Ontario. She has lived in the Turks and Caicos for about 8 or 9 years and is the cultural awareness leader on the island. Then we headed off to our accommodation... a two apartment cottage on a lonely stretch of beach. Sara arrived with lunch and while she prepared it a group of local ladies gave us basket weaving/making lessons and taught us the different platting techniques unique to the Caicos Islands. I was given several 'gold star' compliments by one of my teachers, Elizabeth, who is the wife of one of the island's 2 or 3 taxi drivers, Ernest. Ernest was our chariot driver all weekend.
After lunch we were taken to meet a fellow who is considered the island's leading authority on Bush Medicine. He took us on a hike through the bush along the inland river system. We learned much about bus medicine and the island's history from him and visited his 'uniquely' decorated home and property. Very reminiscent of northern Quebec lawn/folk art and at least as colourful.
Sara treated us to a lobster supper back at Danny's Cafe, the only restaurant on Middle Caicos. I don't like lobster so had to eat just the peas and rice (native Bahamian/Caribbean fare) and veggies. Of course I was polite and had wine with dinner and a G&T before dinner to make up for not eating a lobster tail.
Sunday morning we got gussied up and went to church. Singing is required as it is the ultimate 'praise to the lord' and I joined in. A lady sitting behind me insisted I borrow her bible so I could follow along with the minister during the scripture ading. Maybe she thought I needed scripture. Or maybe she was just being friendly and showing her good will in the way she thought as a high expression of kindness to a visiting stranger. After church we returned to our cottage where we set about sailing the model sail boats made locally. Then a couple of the island's champion boat buiolders came to show us how to build model boats for the sailing races. Then we dropped in to the caves for a quick waslk through. Quite impressive. Bats and everything. Even an archeological site. Then it was the end of a too short weekend as we hopped on the plane back to Provo.
I stayed at the Airport Inn again. Went to the Banana Boat Bar and Grill for supper. I had hoped to go over to John's boat (Quo Vadis) to asy goodbye. I also wanted to see if Danny and Susan on Freelancer were still in the marina. But, alas, I got caught up in the Sunday night BINGO and just enjoyed myself with a few old acquaintances from the past few weeks.
Left Provo yesterday, Monday, morning and arrived here in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic about 11:30 am. Found a hotel here in Sosua just about 10-15 minutes east. The hotel is inexpensive, right on the beach, clean, quiet, nice and has all the amenities. I have already met many nice people here.
Went diving this morning.
OOPS!! gotta run the power is failing here.
Posted by gailene at April 1, 2003 03:40 PM