Author: richwest3

Viani Bay – 6 Pictures, 6000 Words

June 21, 2013 Viani Bay, Fiji

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Just so you don’t get the wrong impression from the photo with the clear, tropical water look, the bay is mostly deep with dark water.  This shallow, clear spot is in front of where we’re anchored.  There is supposed to be very good diving and snorkeling nearby with the famous “white wall” dive not far away on the fringing reef.  We’ve been here less than 24 hours so we haven’t done much exploring yet. -Rich

A Dinghy Ride in Viani Bay (Vanua Levu, Fiji)

June 21, 2012

We took a dinghy ride to check out the area near shore and go snorkeling.

My diving nemesis has always been breathing underwater with my mask off and eyes open. I just have a terrible time with that, and it was something I’d have to conquer if I wanted to become a certified diver. So today I planned to practice with a snorkel. It’s been a lot of years since I’ve worked on this issue, and I figured I’d lost any progress I’d made.

I started by breathing maskless through the snorkel with my eyes closed and was surprised to find it effortless. Rich was pleased I could do that so easily, but my big hurdle was breathing maskless with my eyes open! I went to demonstrate how impossible that is for me and was shocked to find I had no problem whatsoever. I have no explanation for this except that life can sometimes surprise you with a new skill.

With that so quickly done, we had time to motor around and enjoy the scenery. Then I needed to get back to studying. Knowing for sure that it was possible for me to get certified made it easier to put in those many hours of reading and memorizing.

Below is a gallery of our dinghy ride pictures. Click to enlarge and scroll. -Cyndi

Things That Work

We sometimes tow the dingy on a long line when we move short distances between anchorages.  I also sometimes forget that the dingy is following behind the boat.  So far, I’ve averted disaster at the last second by remembering I’d forgotten to pull the dingy up beside the boat when maneuvering to anchor.  Forgetting this will hopelessly wrap the dingy line in the boat’s propellor.  Now we have Remo, the reminder lizard. -Rich

Towing the dingly on a long line.
Towing the dingy on a long line.
Remo, the reminder lizard. I can't shift without him reminding me that I need to pull in the dingy line. Thank you Remo!
Remo, the reminder lizard. I can’t shift without him reminding me that I need to pull in the dingy line. Thank you Remo!