Ken Kurtis
Contributor
Rain, rain, go away . . .
RAINING IN ISLA - We've had quite an exciting day but, unfortunately, none of it involved diving. It was quite windy overnight and has been raining, occasionally POURING, most of the day today and the port of Isla Mujeres was closed which meant none of the Whale Sharks boats went out. (They actually close down the entire WS area in case of inclement weather so the Cancun-based boats don't go either.) But it also meant that we couldn't dive the Underwater Museum today. We've tentatively scheduled that for Thursday afternoon so we don't lose the dives and we've also moved our cenotes day from Tuesday to Monday and our first WS day from Monday to Tuesday in hopes of getting better WS weather. Lots of logistical juggling. But we're coping and did a Whale Shark 101 presentation to the group today along with Cenotes 101 so we'll know what to expect once we start diving tomorrow. So while we DID see Whale Sharks today, it was only of the digital kind.
BIGGEST THUNDER EVER - Along with the rain, there's been some lightning and a fair amount of thunder. There was one strike/crack this afternoon around 3PM that's got to have been the loudest one I've ever heard in my life. We think it hit the water not too far from where we're staying and it certainly not only got your attention but made us really glad that we weren't out on the water in a small boat.
WHALE SHARKS HAVE BEEN GOOD - Once this system clears through, we're hopeful of getting some good Whale Shark action. They've been having great encounters for the last few weeks and last week they even added Manta Rays to the mix. We had seen some Mantas back in 2013 as well and, since they feed on the same stuff the Whale Sharks do, it's not totally surprising. Hopefully Tuesday will be the first of three In Your Face Whale Shark Days for us.
HOW ABOUT AN OLD SHARK? - How does 400 years old sound? Scientist are trying to gauge the lifespan of Greenland Sharks based on carbon-dating their eyes and they're coming up with a range that points to about 400 years. If correct, it means that some of these sharks could have been born before the Mayflower set sail for America. You can read more about it through this link: The Sharks That Live to 400.
HOT-SELLING ITEM HERE ON ISLA - Today it had to be rain ponchos. Plenty of people were wearing them ($5 or so at many stores) and we occasionally got asked, "Where did you get yours?" Hopefully this'll be the last day we need them.
That'll do it for now. Have a great week and follow us on Facebook where I'll try to post daily updates.
- Ken
RAINING IN ISLA - We've had quite an exciting day but, unfortunately, none of it involved diving. It was quite windy overnight and has been raining, occasionally POURING, most of the day today and the port of Isla Mujeres was closed which meant none of the Whale Sharks boats went out. (They actually close down the entire WS area in case of inclement weather so the Cancun-based boats don't go either.) But it also meant that we couldn't dive the Underwater Museum today. We've tentatively scheduled that for Thursday afternoon so we don't lose the dives and we've also moved our cenotes day from Tuesday to Monday and our first WS day from Monday to Tuesday in hopes of getting better WS weather. Lots of logistical juggling. But we're coping and did a Whale Shark 101 presentation to the group today along with Cenotes 101 so we'll know what to expect once we start diving tomorrow. So while we DID see Whale Sharks today, it was only of the digital kind.
BIGGEST THUNDER EVER - Along with the rain, there's been some lightning and a fair amount of thunder. There was one strike/crack this afternoon around 3PM that's got to have been the loudest one I've ever heard in my life. We think it hit the water not too far from where we're staying and it certainly not only got your attention but made us really glad that we weren't out on the water in a small boat.
WHALE SHARKS HAVE BEEN GOOD - Once this system clears through, we're hopeful of getting some good Whale Shark action. They've been having great encounters for the last few weeks and last week they even added Manta Rays to the mix. We had seen some Mantas back in 2013 as well and, since they feed on the same stuff the Whale Sharks do, it's not totally surprising. Hopefully Tuesday will be the first of three In Your Face Whale Shark Days for us.
HOW ABOUT AN OLD SHARK? - How does 400 years old sound? Scientist are trying to gauge the lifespan of Greenland Sharks based on carbon-dating their eyes and they're coming up with a range that points to about 400 years. If correct, it means that some of these sharks could have been born before the Mayflower set sail for America. You can read more about it through this link: The Sharks That Live to 400.
HOT-SELLING ITEM HERE ON ISLA - Today it had to be rain ponchos. Plenty of people were wearing them ($5 or so at many stores) and we occasionally got asked, "Where did you get yours?" Hopefully this'll be the last day we need them.
That'll do it for now. Have a great week and follow us on Facebook where I'll try to post daily updates.
- Ken
