Prepping for our first "Checkout Dive" in the Itabaca channel . . . . . . . where we select the correct amount of lead we need to be neutrally buoyant. Got my rental equipment (only two choices and one was a shoulder zip with a very tight neck opening . . . the BCD has a pocket with a hole in it.) Briefing Board with rules & plans for day's diving. This is for our first dive in the Itibaca Channel, Santa Cruz Island, Punta Carrion. The checkout dive in the channel between Baltra & Santa Cruz islands, very near Santa Cruz, went well; water temp was 71F and I did 40' for 40 minutes (the allotted time). Saw large starfish, two manta rays, small white-tipped shark. I didn&t take my camera - too much task-loading with unfamiliar suit, weights & BCD. THANKS TO RANDY GARRETT, HERE ARE THREE PHOTOS FROM THE CHECKOUT DIVE . . . Dive Master Reuben & a fur seal Fur seal came in to look us all over Fur seal asleep right under the dock where we boarded the Zodiacs to return to the boat Back on the boat were hot rinse showers, hot dry towels, hot doughnut holes with honey! Hang up suits, store gear, relax a bit, then dinner. Before dinner we had formal introduction of sailing staff, champagne toasts, and we all introduced ourselves and our expectations for this trip. Barbecue for dinner, steak, fish, chicken, pork & salad. Flan for dessert. Breakfast starts at 6:30, then a briefing around 7:30-8 and the one dive today. Our proposed voyage updated daily at briefing time. View of the lounge; we watched Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) . . . . . . which was filmed in the Galapagos Islands Snacks & water were always available A snack for every palate On the boat, from Milwaukee were: Gary Longworth, Mike Haynes, Carolyn Likas, Mike Siefert, Bill & Jim Herbes (brothers), Randy Garrett & Neal Skrenes From other parts of the world the divers were: Caroline & Tarek Nassif (father & daughter from California & Massachusetts), Antonio & Till Almeida (father & son from Luxembourg), Roberto Gil, J. Carlos. T. Auta, Albert Lau (aka Alfie) & Lillian Pacheco (ER doctor & ER nurse from Canada) Sunset day two; Itibaca Channel, Santa Cruz Island, Punta Carrion

TWO DIVES HERE