Finally, the weather is cooperating for us to go dive on the other side of the island. That means, it completely sucks on this side: 61F this morning and windy as hell. Diving on the other (East) side almost never happens, because normally seas are very choppy over there. Since Aldora is the only dive shop that provides trips to the other side in order for their clients not to lose any dive days regardless of the weather conditions, today they have to accommodate customers from all over the place, so everything is a bit messy and confusing. Of course, we don't care - we just have to wait a little longer for a taxi to pick us up instead of a boat - we are all extremely excited and agitated. It is completely different for the staff though. The captains moved their boats to the other side yesterday in preparation for this weather, which means unhappy wives and hurting backs, as they had to sleep over in their boats. The dive masters also have more work as they drive trucks / cars full of customers and move tanks and gear around to a much further destination. But at Aldora customer service is everything, so everybody is smiling and seems as excited as their clients to go dive in a rare location.
I have been to the East side of the island many times in the evening, to admire the roar of the waves while stargazing, so it is very surprising to see the ocean so calm and quiet today. You may remember how I wanted to go on a silent retreat once. That may be just the perfect place for it. This side is completely uninhabited. No stores. A couple of restaurants close fairly early. No electricity makes the skies look like a star atlas at night. The only hotel in the area is very basic - cold showers, candles. A little spooky, but maybe I should spend a couple of nights here just to prove that I can survive without technology for at least a couple of days!:)
Diving was spectacular! The reef is so pristine. The swim-throughs look like a maze - so much fun. The sand is very light and the constant surge forms beautiful dunes out of it. Unbelievable beauty... Unfortunately, I was freezing and couldn't make the second dive. The outside temperature was 63F, and even though the 77F of underwater felt like a warm bath at the beginning, I got to shiver full-force by the end of the first dive and couldn't even dream of going back after the surface interval. On the upside, I got to practice my very limited Spanish with the boat captain who doesn't speak a word of English. And the water was so transparent that I could watch the divers and reef from the boat while wearing two parkas and trying to warm up under the intermittent sun. As a consolation prize, I got a little pretty sea-shell from the dive master. So as far as I'm concerned, it was a beautiful day and I am happy that I finally dove (or dived) the mysterious other side!
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