Dive #225 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log

Back onboard the fabulous Cuan Law
Photo by Rich Torkington in the BVIs 2006

Dive Journal: In an unusual move for us, Linda and I decide to return to the Cuan Law liveaboard. We know from our week onboard in 2004 that this is diving luxury and relaxation at its finest, as good as anywhere we have gone.

Like before, we fly to Puerto Rico and charter a private puddle jumper plane to Tortola. We are very pleased to meet the same captain from 2 years ago, and he remembers the four of us, too.

Both Annie and Duncan Muirhead are on board greeting passengers when we arrive from the airport. They greet us with hugs and remember us from 2 summers ago. It is very welcoming.

We’re out of the Road Town Bay and into Sir Francis Drake Channel in no time, heading east and then north around the end of Tortola. Following lunch, we suit up next to Guana Island (Muskmelon Bay I think) for the obligatory checkout dive.

Following routine out-of-air, flooded mask, etc. drills, Johnny and I use the remaining air in our tanks to explore around. I’m using a new mask on this dive and am eager to check it out. Although I’ve already scrubbed it down with toothpaste, I’ve apparently done an inadequate job. The glass fogs over every 5 seconds or so, making all my time underwater miserable. I’m constantly flooding the mask to gain visibility. I even make a quick ascent to the surface to respit in it, to no benefit.

In any case, I endure about 30 minutes of this so that Johnny could have a buddy for the dive. Unfortunately, being basically blind, I have no memories of what we might have seen.

Back on the boat, I immediately go to my berth and vigorously scrub down the mask glass with toothpaste again. I then grab my snorkel and do a mini-swim off the stern, where I am pleased to find the mask working well. I even spy a nice small turtle!

In the very late afternoon, appetizers are brought out. Chef Jackie has prepared wings, and they’re outstanding. She gives me her recipe: 5 lb of wings, 1C soy sauce, 3/4C honey, 2T garlic, 1T Dijon. Marinate, bake, and serve.

In the evening, a small group of passengers and crew takes the skiff over to Guana Island and hikes up a steep trail to an elevated waterside crest in the rocks. There we lean back and relax, get to know one another, nibble snacks, sip champagne, and watch the beautiful sunset. Welcome back to the BVIs.