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Thursday, December 29, 2005 

Sunset from cliffs at Palos Verdes, CA


PV-00010.jpg
Originally uploaded by Pixel Letch.
Got out of the rainy Seattle weather for a week at Christmas to visit my family. Went over to cousin's house and hiked along beach. Came back later to take a few shots of the sunset and surfers. More shots on Flickr Site at: Palos Verdes, CA

Thursday, December 22, 2005 

Have a Happy!

Sunday, December 11, 2005 

Welcome!!


Welcome to The Optical Ocean blog.

I am an active diver, sailor and all-round water-baby. Anything to do with the ocean intrigues me. I live in Seattle and have been diving for 8 years actively, having logged over 500 dives in 9 countries.

I enjoy doing photography, particularly underwater photography. I also enjoy writing about my adventures for fellow divers' and travelers' information and enjoyment. This blog is an outgrowth of my dive log and a place to combine photos and more lengthy reports, other than a website which was taking too long to maintain.

I'll update this blog as I make dives and sailing trips and will put in a few past adventures also. Or whenever the mood strikes and I see something related to ponder.

Jack

Saturday, December 10, 2005 

Reveling in the Revelligegedos

I went to the Revillagigedo Islands (only gringos call them the Soccoros) in Mexico in November, leaving from Cabo San Lucas and going 250+ miles out to sea. I went on the Solmar V an aging, but luxurious, liveaboard dive boat, around 112’ long. Club members have re-christened me Juan El Rocha de la Mar.


The 4 islands (we went to 3) are very remote and are called Mexico's Galapagos. They are volcanic and one volcano last erupted in 1952 on San Benedicto. One is nothing more than a rock way out to sea, but the diving there is great!


The Solmar V was very nice, but had very small cabins, 2 people couldn't stand up at the same time. But we only slept in them. Pretty noisy with the engines or generator running. Beautiful woodwork and most amenities, wide screen TV and DVD, bar, etc.


But 5 star meals (totally gourmet, steaks, fresh mahi-mahi, etc) and great crew, fantastic diving in very remote locations. One divemaster I knew from La Paz; mi amigo Nelson.


We did 4 dives a day (no nitrox either) in rough seas out of an inflatable. Long 27 hour run back to Cabo.


By in large we had very good conditions, fairly calm, only the last two days back at San Benedicto Isd was windy and rough (3-5' seas). Couldn't get back to El Boiler. Warm days and 80F water. We went out to Rocha Partida, an additional 73 miles from there for 3 dives on one day, traveling at night.


Saw several schools of hammerhead sharks, but always at a distance, some silkys, lots of white tips, etc. But they tended to be shy, except when we were snorkeling, which was disconcerting (whales left, sharks moved in), amazing how fast you can get back in a panga! Lots of small and larger fish like jacks and tuna, reef fishes, lobsters everywhere. Few invertebrates. We sang the whale shark song, but didn't see any. Snorkeled with a large pod of false killer whales and took video with the F810. See: False Killer Whales Video (requires Quicktime 7).


Highlight of the trip was diving with a 20' manta ray and a large pod of dolphins vying for our attention at the same time. One dolphin swooped the manta out of frustration!


My trip photos are at: Revillagigedo Islands trip photos



About Jack

  • Adventurer, diver, sailor, photographer, writer and sometimes graphic designer. Proprietor of Optical Ocean Sales, LLC. Enjoy the blog, check back and please leave comments!
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