3 Apr, Sun.

Sun, 3 Apr. went diving at Hol Chan this morning with Darrel and Belize Diving Adventures. there was only one other couple on the dive, a small group is so much nicer. Hol Chan is a Marine Reserve that could be the 'poster child' for marine reserves. it's difficult to compare dive locations because they all have something different to offer. but i must admit, it's great to see so many and large species in abundant supply in one place! my camera is still limping along, but i didn't take it down with me ... i guess i'm not sure about going deep with the underwater housing since it leaked at Cayos. :( we watched a Green Turtle feeding on grass the minute we go in the water! and we saw some REALLY big DogTooth Snappers, almost as large as the one that the fisherman caught at Roatan. and, Green Moray Eels .... at least 7 of them, and they were very large as well. after the dive we went to Shark Ray Alley to snorkel with the Stingrays and Nurse Sharks. they swim directly towards the boats when they arrive coz they know they'll get 'treats'. i got right in the water. i took my camera in with me since we weren't going very deep. so i got to take these photos. beady little eyes ... they look scary; but they are not. that one was pretty big. Nurse Sharks feel like fine sand paper. the fish are HorseEyed Jacks. then the Stingrays came cruizing in. Darrel holding one . there isn't a lot else to see at Shark Ray Alley, but i did spot this Nassau Grouper hanging out under one of the boats. he seemed quite content to have me that close to him. another benefit of a Marine Park. these animals are never fished nor threatened, so they are more used to people being around. i know i've said this before ... Groupers are not colorful, but their patterns of browns, greens, tans, and blacks, are absolutely stunning ! here is a Conch.