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Published: July 28th 2017
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KING NEPTUNE
Many dive destinations place statues or sculptures underwater as focal points for divers. Some are fish tank ceramics while others are larger than life sculptures. Encrusting sea life add interest, PROFESSIONAL DIVE BUDDIES
NAS Dive Shop
I called the dive shop that once rented space at the Ritz, where I was staying. I explained that I was an underwater photographer and I would appreciate diving with other photographers, or with a personal Divemaster so I wouldn’t be holding up other divers while I took my photos, waiting for just the right composition. I like long slow dives so I can look in all the crevices and search out elusive sea creatures.
I got just what I asked for. The next three days were like heaven. The divemasters, professional divers familiar with the local dive sites, gave assistance when asked, but otherwise were like my good diving buddies at home. We were in no hurry, we just took our time, looked at everything and came up when we were out of air,
When I got to the shop the owner introduced me to a weathered diver, Gerald, who took me out on the shop reefs. The first dive was to the left, the second to the right. They were quite different but both sites were teeming with life; small fish, great corals and eels. It was all very
STILL LIFE, MIXED HARD CORALS
When I started uploading photos I realized what amazing varieties of coral there are in Curacao. relaxing and the dives averaged an hour and 10 min. What a treat.
The second day Gerald drove me to the other end of the island for some great shore diving. The dives were was just as tranquil, with long bottom times. We expected to see turtles, but saw only one from the dock before we entered the water. There was an enormous eel, and lots of other sea life. Towards the end of the dive I got a couple of photos of a life size metal sculpture of Neptune with his trident and fins on his feet. On the way back to shore after the second dive we saw an octopus, in only ten feet of water.
My last day of diving I arrived at the shop only to be told that I was diving with another DM, Lisa. I was a bit disappointed, but Lisa also had lots of dive experience and we got along great. She drove us to another distant dive site. Our first dive was almost an hour and a half; the second just a bit shorter. It is such a pleasure to swim leisurely, conserving our air and seeing everything. There were
CHRISTMAS IN CURACAO
If there is a current it is easy to photograph these small tube worms. If you move too quickly they suck back into their tubes. schools of bright blue fish, a camouflage barracuda, and lots of big groupers below us.
We had a two hour lunch at a resort-type restaurant where Lisa introduced me to some local food. After the second dive I glanced up as we got in the car, and I saw an old fort across a small inlet. I asked Lisa about it and she said she had never been there so we stopped and investigated it, taking lots of photos and enjoying the sun. I highly recommend NAS…the best DM’s, long dives, and reasonably priced.
I rinsed my gear at the shop. Then Gerald dropped me off at my hotel. The sun was shining so I was able to dry my fins, suit, and BC which cuts pounds off the weight of my luggage. I enjoyed Curacao, beautiful buildings, nice shops and a central bus. The people were friendly and the diving was great.
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
The joys of diving
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