Flat and Deep

Penultimate day. Schahaatz is once again submerged today, and that too in a double session.

Personal entry:

“The excitement is significantly less today. I'm having breakfast alone, the first dive starts at 9:00 AM, and I’m at the dive center by 8:30.

This morning we are heading to the Hoit Rocks, massive boulders lying in several heaps.

It will be a private dive with Divemaster Iydin. (sadly without photo).

A simple dive in an impressive backdrop. The current is strong and I’m diving for the first time in a noisy environment. You can hear the waves crashing, divers jumping into the water, and motorboats engaging in water sports.

All in all very relaxed, we complete the safety stop and ascend. We return to the dive base by boat to go back out after just a bathroom break. 

Once again a dive with two people and again with John. This time we are heading to a drop-off. Vertical rock walls with plenty of hiding spots for various sea creatures. 

John has sharp eyes, we spot a large stonefish in its hiding place.

We dive through rock crevices and under rock overhangs.

And then, in a rock niche, there's a sea turtle. Definitely 100cm in diameter. Somewhat majestic and very calm, she makes herself comfortable there.

Kurt, we then make an important safety stop, a must after two dives in a day.

When we surface, it is there, the open water feeling. Our boat is not there. John, slightly confused, jokes, saying: Well then we'll swim back. 

Yeah right, I think, 10 minutes by boat, we'll need a maximum of 1 1/2 days to swim back with all the gear 😂

Not even 10 minutes later, the boat is back, lucky us.

We head back.”

Personal entry ends.

The rest of us are passing the time at the beach. 

Yesterday at the pool with all the splashing, ball-playing guests was a bit annoying, plus the sun was gone by 3 PM.

So today, we are at the side beach. A nice towel vendor crosses our path and, of course, wants to sell his goods to us. He had already made Ira a special Sunday price on the first day, 2 towels for 12€. We could pay in Euros too, no problem, and he shows us a thick bundle of euros. Seems to be a lucrative business.

Today, Ira finds two really nice beach towels. But today Ira's price is Two for Ten. Ira, the rock in the negotiation surf, remains steadfast, so after tough negotiations he gives up on his alternatives “3 towels for first 20€ then for 18€, 2 towels for 12€ - and mother, father, and children will starve” and accepts the price.

We enjoy the day at the sea, the water is pleasantly warm, 

once you're in, and even at the beach, fish are visible. Micha dares to go further out with his snorkeling gear, I prefer to stay here in front.

Since Schahaatz is not here (he's passing time at the reef), I borrow his water shoes, so I have fins too 🤣. 

Because going without shoes is okay, but with them it is much lighter to swim.

Another sundowner

For dinner, we have reserved a table at the à la carte restaurant 

Starters

Main course:

Dessert 

One more goodnight drink☺️

Good night