Simon and Sidney the Shark
'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Mon 21 Dec 2009 19:32
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11:56.622N 067:26.373W
Isla Sur, Les Aves 1750UTC 21/12
Another picture perfect anchorage, rather spoilt by
having 4 other boats in it.
Anyway, yesterday after lunch Simon, an experienced
500 dive-diver, decided to go off for an hours snorkelling. Two and three
quarter hours later he returned, looking a bit shaken, and this is what he told
us:
He swam round the corner of the island we were
anchored at (Cayo Remanso, at the end of Carenero) to the reef on the open-sea
side of the island. He amused himself snorkelling around the small reef,
admiring the various fish, blue sink holes etc etc when he noticed Sidneytaking
an interest in him. Sid didn't seem particularly hungry but Simon couldn't help
but notice that everytime he tried to get to shallower water Sid seemed to be
between the shallow water and him. Hmmm, he thought, wishing he could identify
what species Sidney was. Obviously not a Great White and most probably a reef
shark, but it would have been nice to know. Anyway, after about.....well, too
long.....Sid swam off letting Si getting back to shallow water. About two hours
after this, I noticed a human torpedo round the point and about 50 metres away
from the boat Si 'popped' to the surface and ran the rest of the way to the
boat. And he calls that fun??????
Doc's idea of always carrying an apple with you
when snorkelling so you could throw it at a hungry shark was voted on and found
to be silly.
Off bright and early tomorrow morning for another
epic 60nm voyage to Bonaire, where we'll be for Christmas. I've been speaking to
another OCC (Ocean Cruising Club) boat, Aurora B who is there at the moment and
apparently there are plenty of spare buoys. Sounds like party time to
me.
Doc has decided that Blue water cruising is not for
her as she has not been able to get her 'sea legs' so she may be leaving us in
Bonaire or may continue on to Panama. A shame, she's a nice lady, both Si &
I get on with her but it is obvious that she would not enjoy a Pacific
crossing.
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