Dhoni. That's the word I didn't know how to spell. Each day after the briefing we board the dhoni and go through what is now a well-established routine. Shorts and T-shirt off, full rasher on, followed by a short rash shirt for extra warmth. Then defog the mask, take a long drink of water, tie my hair up, and get ready to move to the deck. Once we have our spot checked by a diver, we get specific instructions about the current and hazards. Fins on. Go.
We've done that now at least three times a day for six days and I'm still thrilled every time I get in the water. It's warm, anywhere from 83 - 88, but compared to the air temperature which is around 31 or 32 (ok, I know those are different scales but we have Americans on this trip) and humidity feels like 100, a dip in the water is the best thing going.
Yesterday was a full day, more activity than I normally put into a week. I think we were in and out of the water five times. Then we cleaned up and headed to an island for a barbecue. I've never seen a beach so long, nothing but cornstarch white sand forever. The crew set a fine table with candle lighting, a bonfire, and sand sculpture of a whale shark. There was beef and scampi and chicken and a barbecued jack fish, wine and beer, and tons of goodwill and merriment. With the work of shuttling all of that, and us, over to the island, it's an all night affair. And just as we were settling in for the night, the knock came to tell us the whale shark was back so off we went to the deck to watch this amazing creature for another hour or so! Whew.
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| Margaret and her chocolate layered birthday cake |
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| Here we go! |
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| Margaret...just in case you can't tell |
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