Mi Dushi

May 16 - Curaçao

3:45 AM Beep. Beep. Next time we have to do this different, like previous times a hotel close to the airport the night before. As I still had a bit of status at KLM at the time I booked, we can use the preferred boarding route and security check. But it's not really a fast lane, especially the security check takes time. Our diving equipment has never before been checked this thoroughly.
The flight is not too bad and before we know it (...as a matter of speaking) we are already descending. Grabbing our bags and hop in a cab. Dalies is at reception and welcomes us with her big smile. As we didn't book directly, she didn't know we were coming. She recognised us immediately anyway. Also, Jordy from the dive shop is waving at us.
We are assigned room 21. This is above the room we had last time. In itself a fine room, but you can't really have a place outside. Pity. Petra decides to have a little chat with Dalies to see if there are options. Room 24, a new one, is also an option. It's in the newly added building, a lot more space, a real kitchen(ette) and a place outside to sit. Downside is that it is at the roadside. But as it is a better option, we decide we will take it. It will be free to move in tomorrow.
Now dinner and then sleep. We stretch it until 7 PM, but then we're done. Sleep.

May 17 - Savonet Suite (Gele Boven)

Petra is up early. When browsing the Scuba Lodge website she notices that a seeview room is available. Let's check after breakfast.

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// Gin - Mini Coco - is sooo sweet 😍 //

The girl at reception couldn't find the room. Eventually she found one from Thursday to Wednesday, so 2 days less. Enter tomorrow and vacate one day before we leave. There was also a Two Room Apartment with seeview available! Sure, but that's a lot more expensive. "Hmmm. Hmmm. Well, I can offer it at 59 per night additional". Okay, now we're talking. Let's check it out! OMG, this is BIG. The seeview is a little bit obstructed by the garden, but it is on the 1st floor, so nice and private. A mega kitchen, so we can really cook. An on-suite bathroom. "You can also take a look upstairs". Another bedroom, with an on-suite. O sure, a washing machine. I think, let's try: "For 500 I'll take it". That's 10% off, let's see. After a quick check at the office: "Okay". Perfect. If you can also arrange a rental car for us ... if they still have the Suzuki Jimny available that would be great. Sure, at 1 PM they will bring it. So this afternoon we can go shopping.
Walking back we bump into Chimene. "I am at the other side at the moment". O, that's where we are going. Yellow Upstairs. "When?" As soon as you're finished. "I'll start immediately" "So nice to see you again". Pity she is back at the other side tomorrow, she is so nice.

All is unpacked and the car has arrived. Holidays can begin!

May 18 - Marie Pampoen

As we both seem to have understood it slightly different, we go back and ask Adriaan again. "You go so and so, on the purple gorgonian with no branches, about 12 meter deep". Gear in the car and off we go! The dive site is around the corner. Let's see, how do we enter this place again? Set-up the gear, get in the suite, buddy check, lock the car and we enter. Viz not too good, but nice. If this was the least interesting spot last time than I am already looking forward to the next dives.
Going in and when we return, we search and search, but no seahorse. We do see some "Aliens". They guide tourists underwater with a glass helmet on. The shuffle in a line over a cleared path. Luckily they don't come near the actual reef. And they stir up quite some dirt. I wonder whether they see anything interesting like this.
Petra is feeling nauseous when we get out of the water. So just one dive today I guess. When she orders a Presidente at lunch that's confirmed. Tomorrow to West Point. Tonight the weekly BBQ. The afternoon is for relaxing.

Jos 68 [min] / 19.6 [m] | Petra 68 [min] / 20.1 [m]

May 19 - Cara Cara

4 Tanks in the car as well as all gear. Off to West Point. Road signs say the road is blocked. We have a small jeep, so we'll be fine. It was no big issue. Just a patch without tarmac. To the right here? No, that's our next stop. Ah, the colourful trees and the fairy tale forest. We have arrived. Some chickens with small chicks welcome us. 
Damn, my compass broke. So we have to pay attention on how to return and get out. We make a nice little round, heading to the right as advised by Bob. Very nice indeed. On our return we see the strange (Neptune?) statue at the exit point. The turtles Petra spotted when we went out are still around. They are gorgeous. And not shy at all, despite of the snorkelers above us.
Next stop the neighbour site: Playa Kalki (Alice in Wonderland). Again a very lovely dive (again 78 minutes). But I do have a big headache when we surface.

Jos 78 [min] / 21.6 [m] | Petra 77 [min] / 19.2 [m]

Jos 78 [min] / 20.1 [m] | Petra 77 [min] / 19.2 [m]

We stop for lunch at Sol Food (as Adriaan advised us). What a nice little place. Yummy pizza, big enough for the two of us. And home made brownies for dessert. Time to return to Scuba Lodge.
Hey, what's that? A Cara Cara crosses the raod. I know they are common in South America and also are seen on the islands. But I had never seen one here (only in a zoo at home). What a beautiful bird!

// I had only filmed the turtles, so Petra lacked a good picture for her Instagram now. We have to go back! //

May 20 - Director Bay

Yesterday was too much, so just one dive today. But that it better be a very good one. So we go to our favourite spot from last year: Director Bay. It is not so easy to find. I don't recognise the road so we check the map. Yes, just straight ahead to Caracas Bay. Oh, what is that ugly thing laying there. It looks like some kind of oil drilling platform. Isn't that where we are going? No, it's docked at the pier of Tug Boat. Pity, as that was a very nice spot as well. Just around the corner, a little difficult to find, it is, Director Bay. What a gorgeous bay. And I remember it to be even better under water. And my memory is not wrong at all. The further we go the better it get's. And than an Eagle Ray passes by! Big bonus. Unfortunately, he is a little shy. Yep, we're going to do this dive another time again during this trip.

Jos 70 [min] / 20.8 [m] | Petra 70 [min] / 21.3 [m]

Back at Scuba Lodge we  have a chat with Jordy. "Yes, that ugly boat arrived a week ago, and will stay there for some time to come". "No, Director Bay is the last sore dive, from there it's only accessible by boat". "Or you have to do a 100 minutes drift". "Um, yes, they go on Thursdays" "Dive Charter?" "They may go tomorrow". Back at the room I check their website. Yes, there going. Tomorrow East Coast on a boat. Hopefully, we'll survive as the sea is still a bit rough (and yesterday the trip was cancelled due to that). Quickly to the pharmacy to get some seasick pills. On my way back I slip and hurt my big toe. Shit!

"Salt water is good" Jordy says "It speeds up the healing"

May 21 - Dive Charter

Yesterday I arranged all over Messenger with Andy. This morning: "Ah, now I see you're remark about Credit Card. Sorry, we don't have that yet. We can only do cash". When we pass by the Dive Shop Jordy confirms, so we need to go to the ATM first to collect NAF500,--.
Even before we reach Caracas Bay, where we are supposed to meet, we see the RIB of Dive Charter. It is on the trailer in front of us. So let's follow them. In the harbour Andy get's out of the car and walks straight to me, "You must be Jos". We have to wait a bit before the captain arrives and the boat can be launched. The captain is Michel, Dutch. He tells us Dive Charter had been owned for about 10 years by a friend of his who sold all to Andy recently. Michel is helping Andy and his wife to start up the company. And he likes boats and diving, so ... . 
"Where do we go?" Michel asks, "As far East as we can get" Andy says. Okay, that sounds like a plan. At the end Michel decides not to go that far, but stop at "Alice Sun Chair". I looked afterwards, but couldn't find this spot on the dive map. But it doesn't matter, it's one big reef here. When we spot the big dead tree on the beach in the shape of a sun chair, we understand where the name is coming from. The sea is surprisingly calm after last weeks wind. Without getting seasick we pu on our gear and roll into the water. What a beautiful reef. And the water is soo clear. Let's enjoy this hour! 
Our surface interval we do at Fuikbaai. From there until the tip it is all private property, so we can't land there. There are also some other boats moored in the bay. Andy brought a cool box with drinks sandwiches and fruit. Perfect.
Our second dive is at St. Barbara, Small Wall. A nice little wall. We drift all the way to Director Bay. The visibility is less than yesterday, but it's still very beautiful.

Jos 64 [min] / 25.9 [m] | Petra 64 [min] / 22.3 [m]

Jos 63 [min] / 18.9 [m] | Petra 62 [min] / 17.1 [m]

That was two very nice dives, on a private boat, with private guide. Just for $60 pppd. That's good value for money.
In the afternoon we take it slow. Two dives took all my energy. Dinner at Ginger.

May 22 - Kokomo Beach

Where to go today? Petra wants to go to Vearsen Baai. "Ah, Kokomo Beach" Adriaan says "Left at Blue Bay, there is a big supermarket". We put 4 tanks in the car. But ,we know, one is most likely enough. We see Blue Bay too late and the Super Market we don't see at all. Actually Petra wants to see turtles. "If we don't find another exit we drive on to West Point". En route we stop at the Coral Oasis to check it out (when booking we saw this as an alternative). Very nice, but so not us. This can be anywhere. No flamingo's at St. Willibrord. Okay, to West Point, Playa Grandi, Playa Piskado or even better Playa Tortuga, it is than.
Such a feast to dive / snorkel with the turtles at the end of the dive. During the dive already saw a, shy, Hawksbill turtle as well. 90 minutes. Pfff, time to go our heads above the water again.

Jos 90 [min] / 20.8 [m] | Petra 89 [min] / 19.7 [m]

Adriaan had advised us Blue View for lunch. A lovely simply little restaurant with a gorgeous view. On our way back we check again for flamingo's. We only see two. "They are at Kokomo Bay" a man at the other side of the road tells us. This time we find the exit. It's a long dirt road around the back of an oil storage. Before we arrive, we help a local who's car wouldn't start on his way. And then, Kokomo Beach. Looks like a nice dive spot, but no flamingos. "They are a little further, along the main road" a woman tells us. And yes, there they are. Such pretty birds.
Time to return to Scuba Lodge. Tired but fulfilled, what a nice day.

May 23 - Coco

Petra wants to go back to Jan Thiel. She remembered it being very beautiful. I can't remember that well, but okay. Adriaan explains how to best get in. We check it out when we arrive before we put our gear on. Wow, that's a loooong walk with gear on. We decide to enter at the standard spot. We need to swim out quite a bit and then go to the left. The further we go the better the reef gets. So actually, Adriaan was right. But it's a very nice dive this way as well.
Back at Scuba Lodge we have lunch at our giga apartment. As said, the garden may block the seaview a bit, but it's nice and secluded. And we get many adorable visitors: Troupial, Banaquit (Suikerdiefje), Parakeet and Hummingbird (Kolibrie). And the sound of the sea. 
In the afternoon the plan is Vaersenbaai aka Kokomo Beach. A lovely long dive. And swim out is even longer than this morning. Felt like endless. Back at Scuba Lodge Bob asks "And? Still many Barracuda?" Yes! Dinner at the Lodge. Very tasty.

Jos 74 [min] / 20.7 [m] | Petra 73 [min] / 19.8 [m]

Jos 71 [min] / 25.3 [m] | Petra 72 [min] / 23.5 [m]

Coco, the resident cat, escorts us to our room. Inspects for intruders and asks for a little tip. The inside of the fridge has the answer. Snack snack and off she goes.

May 24 - Nacho's

O boy, time flies. Our last day has arrived. But that's what happens when you enjoy yourself. As planned we return to Director's Bay. This time we swim out a bit before we start the dive at the better part. Petra signals me to slow down. Obviously, I am too exited. So, and now it's time to hang in the beautiful aquarium for an hour or so. A good choice as last dive. This place is soo beautiful. Nothing exiting "just" a perfect reef with waving corals and many many colourful fish. So nice to just hang and take in the scenery.

Jos 82 [min] / 25.3 [m] | Petra 82 [min] / 23.5 [m]

Back at Scuba Lodge we're starving. "Two Presidente, a Classic Club Sandwich and Nacho's". The last one arrived first (after the beer of course). OMG, what a mountain of Nacho's. And good! Yummy. Maybe do this again before we go to the airport tomorrow. The Sandwich wasn't bad either.
A quick stop at the Dive Shop to get the bill from Bob. "The bill is already at reception" "You used 14 tanks, right?" "No, 16, so 6 full days" Yes, correct. And what's the damage? $252 Wow, that's cheap. So much much fun for that cost, yes this is a good alternative for good old Egypt.

Tonight dinner at Bij Blauw.

What a deception. Last year this place was so good. We left before dessert was served. Pity.
Amuse: good, starter: good, 1st dish: okay-ish, main course: horrible, and it took forever ... 

May 25 - This is the Sea

Our last morning at Scuba Lodge. Luggage is packed in a whisk. Our housekeeper waves us good goodbye when she enters the apartment below us. Chimene, our housekeeper from last year, also stops by to say goodbye. So warm and sweet. We spend a last hour at the pool. Starring over the Caribbean Ocean, and soaking up the last rays of sun. Than lunch, a Carpacio Sandwich and Caprese Salad. Both tasting very good. A real joy after last nights deception. Clearing the bill, checking out and of to the airport in the taxi.
As I pass through the final check I notice I still have the room key in my pocket. I don't see any info desk or so, so I hand them over to a taxi driver and ask him to drop them at Scuba Lodge. "No problem" he says. I text Scuba Lodge and tell them the taxi driver reminded me of Samuel Jackson in Pulp Fiction. I hope all goes well.

In the plane I watch the Dutch movie The Waterboys. At the credits it really touches me. The soundtrack of my youth seems to apply so much again to me today. Auw. Well, "Behold the Sea".

Not a lot of sleep in the plane. The drive home was easier than expected. Back home with our fur-balls now.

Scuba Lodge Curaçao

April 23rd - Troubled start

We fly at 9:10 from Düsseldorf, so an early rise (4:30) to be on time. We check in: Diving Bag 23 kg, duffel bag with clothes 16 kg. Hmmm, did we really pack all we intended to bring? We'll see - no worries.

The direct flight with Airberlin to Curaçao was quite comfortable. An hour before we land I remember I hadn't de-blocked my bank card for use outside of Europe. And we didn't bring enough cash for the taxi. Luckily the free WiFi at the airport works fine, so I can de-block using the bank app. The ATM is around the corner and the NAFs (Netherlands Antilles Florins) are popping out without an issue.

We get in Juriena Frans' - a friendly lady - taxi and arrive at Scuba Lodge in no time. A very friendly welcome from Dalies at the desk. Ah, Petra and Jos. Oatmeal! 

On the way to our room Dalies smiles and says we have been given an upgrade. Nice! Curious what the upgrade will be? Where are we going? Totally outside? We first take the left, but there is some restructuring ongoing, which we can't get passed. What a noise and dusty mess?!

The upgrade happens to be the owners apartment, next to the actual Boutique Hotel. Big, yes. Sea view, yes. But it's run down and lacks the special atmosphere the Hotel is known for and why we booked it. Not happy!

As I start to slowly unpack, Petra is back to reception to inform for other room options. We are shown room 18. Nice, but a bit dark and no sea view. We don't know what to do. We are tired and feel cheated. We booked less than 5 weeks ago. No mention of any reconstruction and the room we booked is not available due to that reconstruction ... .

// While Petra was gone I was trying to open our luggage. I found a small kitchen knife and used that to cut through the tie-raps I used to secure our bags. I use some force and direct the knife towards myself (yes, stupid - but I was tired .. ) and plant it straight into my other arm! Auw. A flesh wound and in this climate, in this climate and in combination with my medication. NOT good. We call for a doctor. F.D. Da Costa Gomez. He takes care of the wound. Cleans it. Glues the flesh together. Packs it in bandage. And finally, better safe than sorry, gives me a Tetanus injection. //

What to do? Room 18 or stay? We head back to reception. Dalies can also offer room 6. But that is a regular room. Not what we booked and not what we want. Finally we choose room 18. It feels like the best of the 3 - not so preferable - options. Had they given us room 18 from the start, I doubt there would have been an issue. The room isn't very bright, but clean, new, has a small kitchenette and is bigger than what we expected.

Let's unpack. It's okay now.

April 24th - Bank Card - ATM

We wake up early. We decide to have breakfast at Bijblauw, next door. They open at 7:00 (iso 8:00). We pass by PM78 going there. Yep, we could have booked that one as well. Maybe next time? The breakfast is very good!

At 9:30 Patricia gives us a little tour / introduction of the hotel. We also drop by the in house dive shop to sign in. A nice, cozy, easy going atmosphere. Tomorrow we'll do our first dives with Daan. Starting at 8:30.

Time to get some cash so we can do some shopping. Hmmm. Transaction not possible! I try again. And again. And again. Nothing. The Dutch folks behind me, same bank as us, have no issue. Strange. Back at Scuba Lodge I contact my back via their app. They can't find any issue. All should work. When I ask if they can activate Petra's bank card for use in Middle America, they say they can only do that Online or by Phone. As we forgot the bring the Bank Dongle it will be the latter. I call them and 5 minutes later all has been arranged. 

Back at the ATM, this time with Petra's Card. Again, no money! Damn. What to do now? We find another ATM, from the same local Bank, a little further down the road. No issue - money! Hmmm, maybe the Dutchies in front of me took the last 400 NAF, and the 500NAF I tried simply wasn't in the ATM anymore? We'll never know, but it doesn't matter now.

Lunch and chilling at Scuba Lodge. The day slowly passes by. We both haven't found the holiday feel yet. Maybe tomorrow when we go diving. Otherwise maybe rent a car and have a look outside Pietermaai.

April 25th - 1st Diving Day

Meeting at 8:30. Two-tank with Daan today. Another 5 persons are joining today! After a quick briefing all stuff is shoved into a minivan and off we go. Marie Pampoen is the 1st dive site. Once underwater we are happily surprised. Nice reef, and soo clear - great viz! As we are joining a group the dive is not to deep and we still have plenty of air when we get out, despite starting with 180 bar only.

2nd Dive is at Tugboat. Also a beautiful site with lots of life. The dive ends under a pier, which is gorgeous.

Jos: 22.6 [m] / 59 [min] | Petra: 22.6 [m] / 58 [min]

Jos: 18.0 [m] / 65 [min] | Petra: 15.8 [m] / 65 [min]

Yes, we have the taste of it now. So back at Scuba Lodge we ask for the plan for the coming days. Thursday is no issue, but after that they are FULLY BOOKED! What? After complaining for a minute or 3 we decide to let it be, rent a car and dive with the two of us. We do 'book' for Saturday afternoon however, to go to thé dive spot: the Superior Producer!

The rental car is confirmed soon after. A Kia Picanto in stead of the Suzuki Jimmy we asked for. That one was not available anymore. Bummer, but can't help that. We go to Bijblauw for dinner. Excellent! Let's do that again before the holiday ends.

April 26th - West Point

Today the "West Point" Day Trip. Adriaan is our guide today. And it's only 4 of us. Next to us 2 and Adriaan MaryAnn from Toronto joins. Nice and relaxed, such a small group. 

The 1st dive is at the West tip of the Island: Playa Grandi (Piskadi). This place is famous for its Green Turtles. They are attracted by the spills from the local fisherman that clean the fish, and throw the cut off bits and pieces in the water. Once you stick your head under you can spot at least one. Safety Stop playmates. We first do a tour over the nice reef. Back at the beach we see the baitfish in the shallows being hunted by the Jackfish. We spend some time with the beautiful turtles. Than I remember Adriaan talking about a brown seahorse on a piece of rope. It took some time, but we did find it! What a bonus! A long and nice dive.

Jos: 17.7 [m] / 88 [min] | Petra: 17.1 [m] / 87 [min]

For lunch we drive to Playa Porto Marie. A few photo stops later we arrive. Once we have finished our burger and most divers have surfaced, it's time for us to go under - searching for the Frogfish. It doesn't take Adriaan long to find it. A very beautiful yellow one. After an hour checking out the reef we return to see if Mr Frogfish is still around. He is, but decided to go for a little walk. Such an odd looking fish.

Jos: 19.8 [m] / 68 [min] | Petra: 19.8 [m] / 68 [min]

Back to Scuba Lodge. King's Night tonight. 

A very short visit of the festivities. Towards Punda and back. The both of us are way too tired (up at 5:00), so back to Scuba Lodge for dinner. At the time the party really started (22:00) the both of us were already tucked in and dreaming of turtles. Zzzzzz

April 27th - King's Day

Today is a good day to sleep in. (well it should be, but ... Petra was awake before 5:00, I myself at around 7:00) Breakfast at Scuba Lodge today. Maybe not the best day as it took long and wasn't that special. They did make Petra's oatmeal though, with cinnamon. Even I liked it! Time for a pre-siesta (for sure Petra needed one) and than off to the Nieuwstraat.

It's hot and busy on the Nieuwstraat, with all the King's Day festivities - mainly for children. We browse through until we reach the Pondjesbrug. It just opens, so we have to wait. We check out the other side (Cruise ship side), not so our thing. We return after 2 hours back at Scuba Lodge. Tired and hungry. Time for a late lunch. The rest of the day we spend doing as little as possible. Floating in the pool, staring over the ocean ... as the day slowly comes to an end.

April 28th - BBQ

Today Bob will be pour guide. Next to us another 4 ladies join, Swiss (2 divers) and Dutch (1 diver 1 snorkeler). Looking around it is clear that Jan Thiel is the Dutch hotspot on the island. Bob used to work here for a few years, so he can find his way blindfolded if needed.

After a long swim out we go down and to the left. Again a very nice dive site. 

Jos: 21.6 [m] / 64 [min] | Petra: 21.6 [m] / 64 [min]

During the safety interval I get a notice from the local diveshop owner as I left my tank standing on the table. "Next time you have to bring apple pie for all!". When he learns we are from Maastricht he rather has Rijstenvlaai. The 2nd dive is the same, but now we do the reef to the right. Nice.

Jos: 18.0 [m] / 67 [min] | Petra: 18.9 [m] / 68 [min]

We're still full from lunch, so we skip the diveshop's happy hour. We do join the BBQ, which is very good.

April 29th - Rental Car

As of today we are going to go our own way with 'our' Kia Picanto. It may be a small car, but all our dive gear fit in without a problem. Off to Directors Bay, a gorgeous dive spot. It even has a real wall. Again the water is super clear. The reef is beautiful and full of life.

Jos: 19.5 [m] / 91 [min] | Petra: 18.7 [m] / 91 [min]

On our way back we spent a lot of time - really a lot - to search the seahorse that may life here. We didn't find it. Bummer. In the evening we drive to the super market to get some nice stuff for diner and to snack. Yes, very handy to have car!

April 30th - Superior Producer

Now that we have a car we can take care of our own breakfast. Not so adventures having your 'home' breakfast from the dutch supermarket, but o so relaxed. As was our morning at the pool.

As planned, Bob takes us to the Superior Producer. There is a huge ship moored right next to the dive site, and the sign says it's not allowed to dive in such case. Bob says that to his knowledge only cruise ships and marine vessels should be avoided. And since this ugly big thing is neither of them it should be no issue to dive .... . Okay?!

Man, what a site. Soo beautiful. Huge wreck, overgrown with corals. The hull full with Tarpons. A big school of baitfish hanging over the bow. On the return squid, octopus and a turtle on the reef. And again, super good visibility.

Jos: 30.8 [m] / 62 [min] | Petra: 30.6 [m] / 62 [min]

The perfect day it seems. But than. Roosendaels, Bob's tip for dinner, is closed. Okay, can happen. Back at Scuba Lodge the gate doesn't open. Ah, your key is expired. This was quickly fixed. But than also the room doesn't open. "There is something wrong with the lock. We're trying to solve it already for some time now". The only option is for the security to open our room. (they try very hard, but several things still go wrong .. ).

We decide to leave Scuba Lodge for a diner and end up at Ginger, in the middle of Pietermaai. Good choice! Back at the lodge the guard, Jimmy, hands over the master key, so we can open our room. Just before we enter the room we bump into Patrick. If we could hand over the key to Gea tomorrow morning at reception. She will take care of the issue. Okay, but first sleep.

May 1st - Pick-Up Trucks are Overrated

I can't get over the practicality of our small car. Whether it is doing our own shipping, or being able to dive when and where ever we want - flip down the back bench and all our stuff can be put in without an issue. It does the job perfectly! First dive is at Snake Bay, a 20 minute drive.

Jos: 21.0 [m] / 71 [min] | Petra: 19.2 [m] / 70 [min]

Back for lunch. Baked eggs with tomato. Than for the 2nd dive we go all the way to West Point, Alice in Wonderland (Kalki Beach). An other very enjoyable dive - pity the sun is not out today. On the way back we take a small detour to see the flamingo's. 17:30 we are back at Scuba Lodge

Jos: 25.0 [m] / 72 [min] | Petra: 23.7 [m] / 72 [min]

May 2nd - House Reef

Last full day at Scuba Lodge. We do our last shopping, full up our "dive truck" and return it - which is nothing more than just dropping the keys at reception, how easy can it be! The plan is to do the House Reef, but there are sizable waves. So we ask Adriaan for advise. He walks to the shore with us and points out where to enter and exit, how to do that and what to look for to find the exit under water. Great! Looking at the waves he admits it will not be easy, but he's sure we're okay.

Once we're back with all gear on it is not to bad at all getting in. And boy, is this again a nice dive site. Lovely corals. Plenty of fish. Ting ting. Petra spotted a lobster. And a Giant Barracuda. And a HUGE coral crab. Another lobster. And another one. If we ever go back here we for sure need to do this site again. A very nice finale of our diving in Curaçao. But now ... we need to get out of the water. And that is not easy at all. The closer we get to the shore the stranger the surge. Once we are trying to climb out on the small beach we are both grabbed by the waves several times and pushed over. Final I am out so I can drop my gear and help Petra out as well. 

Jos: 24.7 [m] / 71 [min] | Petra: 23.8 [m] / 71 [min]

With a few scratches, but big smiles on our faces, we walk back to the dive shop. The rest of the day we spent at the swimming pool, and a walk to the Pondjesbrug. We'll have dinner at Bijblauw. 

The holiday is coming to an end.

May 3rd - Going Home

It is that day of the holiday again. We start with a breakfast at Bijblauw. When paying the bill is NAF71 where it was NAF55 every previous time. Coffee isn't included anymore and not so cheap it shows. But it was good so .. .

Packing. Settling the bill. Taxi to the airport. Two coffee, a pie and a sandwich with croquet later we're on the plane. Direct flight to Düsseldorf.

Nine and half hours later we land. Pick up the luggage and drive home, back to our two furry friends.