Jillapalooza — Page 23 — IM IN UR OCEAN. EATIN UR CARDZ.

Mosquito Canyons, Dive 72

December 4, 2012

Dive: 72
Belize Dive: 6
Date: 12/4/12
Site: Mosquito Canyons
Avg/Max Depth: 51/87
Temp: 81
TBT/CBT: 0:54/59:22
Buddies: Nick, Curtis

This may be one of the most exciting dives I’ve ever been on. Screw the eagle rays and the turtle and the shark who was obviously disgruntled by the lack of attention.

This dive had dolphins!

Here’s the amazing video that Curtis shot.

Here’s my little compilation video of the dive. The dolphins are near the end.

View all my photos from Mosquito Canyons below.

After skipping out on dive 2, Kristen and I returned to the condo for some sun and relaxation. We indulged in a couple of drinks and ceviche by the pool. The weather was perfect. Just enough clouds to keep the sweltering sun from relentlessly beating on us. When the boys returned from their second dive, cklahr went to lunch, while Nick and I ate leftover pizza.

I read while inside to escape the sun, then took an epic nap. BRK wasn’t feeling well, so she stayed in bed with a request for soup while the rest of us went to dinner. We ate at Caramba. They provided us with complimentary rum punch and conch ceviche. I ordered scallops in garlic butter with coconut rice and beans and a garden salad with ranch. Best. Ranch. Ever. No, for seriously this time. Unfortunately half of my rice became polluted with broken glass when the rum punch slipped from my grasp and shattered on my plate. The scallops were salvageable though. Sigh.

There was a Chinese restaurant next to Caramba, and soup was on their menu! However, when we got back to the condo, Kristen was tossing her cookies and didn’t want the soup. Oh well. At least it’ll reheat well when she’s ready to eat.

Dos Cocos, Dive 71

December 3, 2012

Dive: 71
Belize Dive: 5
Date: 12/3/12
Site: Dos Cocos
Avg/Max Depth: 57/90
Temp: 79
TBT/CBT: 0:54/58:28
Buddies: Nick, Curtis, Kristen

The seas were rather rough today. We loaded into a big boat with 12 other people and braved the waves. I’m usually fine on rough water until we come to a stop, then the rocking gets to my belly. I masked up, donned flippers, and threw myself overboard before any seasickness could set in. I prefer putting on my gear off the boat anyway. It’s a lot less awkward.

We split into three groups. The four of us, as well as another couple, dove with Rudy. We did cross paths a few times, and each time this happens I’m reminded that I should pay better attention to what our Divemaster is wearing, because at a distance under the water, everyone looks the same.

Once about 20 feet under, the dizziness went away, but the surge was still strong. Everything is constantly in motion, so it’s hard to get photos. I did see this eel swimming next to me. It disappeared in the rocks and then my eyes were open wide trying to find where it went. It popped it’s head out a few feet in front of me. I really wanted to panic, but I figured since there was nowhere else to go at the time but forward, I should take some video. It gets kind of bouncy because I was swimming through a narrow space and my tank hit the rocks on the other side, and I was a bit jumpy at the time anyway, so…

There wasn’t too much to see on this dive, but at the end there were some lionfish to be had. Nick even speared one!

Eventually the sharks came to play. They were moving too fast to get good photos, so I turned on the video instead.

View all of my photos from Dos Cocos below.

Paradise Canyons, Dive 70

December 3, 2012

Dive: 70
Belize Dive: 4
Date: 12/2/12
Site: Paradise Canyons
Avg/Max Depth: 50/73
Temp: 81
TBT/CBT: 0:45/57:34
Buddies: Nick, Curtis, Kristen

This dive was nice. I missed the bull shark at the beginning. #sadpanda

Kristen corralled this eagle ray for me to record.

There were sharks, an eel, a barracuda. Some lionfish were speared. It feels like there are a lot less fish on the reef than in previous years, and I wonder if the lionfish have made that much of an impact or if it’s all in my head.

View all of my photos from Paradise Canyons below.

Boca Ciega, Dive 69

December 2, 2012

Dive: 69
Belize Dive: 3
Date: 12/2/12
Site: Boca Ciega
Avg/Max Depth: 58/84
Temp: 81
TBT/CBT: 0:50/56:49
Buddies: Nick, Curtis, Kristen

We saw a couple eagle rays on this dive. I could watch them forever; they’re so graceful and mesmerizing.

There were some nurse sharks, but nothing like yesterday. Spiny lobsters too!

I was trying out some different camera settings for today’s dives. I’m not sure I really liked how the photos turned out. I think I need to invest in a light before the next trip.

View all of my photos from Boca Ciega below.