02/11/19 Day 3

Prior to boarding the catamaran, we thought that there would be power in the socket outlets 24/7 to recharge our electronic contraptions. That myth was quickly dispelled on the fist day, when we were informed by the captain that socket power would only be available when the engine was running, which would be for an absolute maximum of 5 hours a day! The on board battery banks were only designed to take care of the lighting and essential loads when the cat was not in motion. Not so much of an issue for my companions, who only had a couple of devices each to recharge. Yours truly had 24 batteries for his video lights, 2 gopro batteries and a laptop to handle EVERY SINGLE BLOODY DAY. The Gopro batteries and laptop could be managed, since they were relatively quick charge devices. However, the 24 batteries for my video lights take about 3-4 hours EACH to get to full charge, and with only 2 charging units that can handle a total of 8 batteries at a time, I had a genuine issue!

Strategy by now adopted was 3/4 charge all the batteries, and hope they run for just long enough for each dive, which they don't most of the time Oh well, lesson learnt, more chargers next time, for even more gear and even more weight!

It's a well oiled routine by now. Pre dive Morning snack on fresh bananas and biscuits. 1.5 to 2 hours ride to the first dive site. Toasted bread with butter, jam and honey and we have another 1.5-2 hours ride to the second dive site during which some of us nap on the stretched tarp whilst others have a chat with the crew or go on a reading spree. 2 drifting fishing lines each time the boat is set in motion usually translates into fish Carpaccio for lunch with fresh Mango and pineapple for dessert. Move another couple hours to the mouillage for the night with either snorkeling or island visits. Gargantuan dinner with cooked dessert! What a hard life...!!!

First Dive of the day on Tombant black was just awesome! New Fishies, couple of lone sharks and a MANTA RAY, sadly from afar.

Second on Napoleon, we saw 2 mobula rays...!!! Again unfortunately from a distance.

We were supposed to stop on a nearby island for a quick visit, but the captain took longer than expected to restock our water supplies, and we ended up just going for a dip in the cool refreshing sea instead.

So far, I've found getting a good night's sleep quite challenging. The lack of wind, elevated temperature and humidity have been quite uncomfortable at times, and with the occasional night showers, the cabin openings could not always be kept open for ventilation.

Tonight however posed a completely different set of sleep depriving conditions. The strong wind made the sea very choppy. So the quietness of the previous days was eclipsed by the sound of waves lashing against the hull (which in itself is not so much of a nuisance), causing torsional forces which would create irritating creaking sounds. So despite the lower overall temperature and the waves cradling the catamaran, this must have been my worst night's sleep so far. Ear Plugs would have been a saviour!!!!

Lunch: Giant Trevalli Carpaccio, Creole Chicken,

Dinner: Giant Trevalli Tartar, half cooked bonito, Banane Flambee

Mouillage for the night: Antanimora