DAY 2
Peter Island, BVI. The morning started with a magnificent display of water skiing and wakeboarding courtesy of Alexis, Brent and Jared with some expert driving by Capt. Gary! After a remarkable breakfast of banana pancakes, bacon and fresh fruit we motored over to the Peter Island Resort to fill up our scuba tanks. There, we saw incredible island vistas, a few seagulls, a beach and Debbie found the only shop on the island.
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A quick walk to the other side for a look at the beach and we loaded our refilled scuba tanks and had a lovely lunch (chicken taco salad with all the fixins prepared by Dominique). |
After lunch we had a fantastic hour plus sail to Salt Island (Dad at the helm 'cause it's Father's Day). We headed directly for the RMS Rhone dive site, but the water was too choppy to dive from the platform. Gary anchored the Mauna Loa in a cove by the salt pond and we loaded all the divers into the dingy for the short trip back to the Rhone. Everyone back-flipped into the water (ala Sea Hunt). Sadly, the video camera wouldn't wake up, so we only have stills from this incredible dive.
We saw zillions of Grunts, a trumpet fish, lizard fish, two sea turtles, the bow of the RMS Rhone and great coral. Gary took us through the inside of the wreck. The team displayed their expert buoyancy control. A little underwater family photography and a three minute safety stop made this 32 minute, 80 foot dive a thrill of a lifetime. We did a quick stop on Salt Island and saw the salt pond, a cemetery with a new above-ground grave site and a strange concrete house with a wooden door carved into a decorative Star of David. Several off-color jokes ensued.
| Frozen strawberry adult beverages, and hot showers were quite welcome and in ample supply. Dinner (Steak cabob, cuscus and broccoli) was accompanied by Jeannie's Octopus bread - a big hit with the hungry divers. |
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The kids played Taboo with Dominique and Debbie, Gary and Shelly headed for the stern with single malt scotch and habanos. A light rain brought the party indoors at 9pm and Gary taught Brent how to play Backgammon.
The anchorage at Salt Island is not as protected as Peter Island, so tonight will be a bit bouncy. We're planning to dive the Rhone again first thing in the morning.
Best laid plans ...
The chop became a bounce ... which turned rough ... which evolved into too much to weather. Gary weighed anchor circa 1am and we headed on instruments back to Great Harbor on Peter Island. The seas were 3' to 4' and Jeannie steered a perfect course (Gary helped with Radar readings). Just as predicted anchor lights started to become visible about a mile from the harbor. Dominique manned the bow with a flashlight and Alexis and Dad helped her look for an unlit metal buoy near the mouth of the harbor. Gary and Jeannie expertly anchored in the very calm waters of Peter Island and all had a restful night's sleep. (For the record: Debbie, Brent & Jared slept through the night.)
