Pablo & Family visit to Cayman

I had the pleasure an honor to meet Pablo and his family during their visit to Grand Cayman.Pablo is an Argentine diver who was referred to me through an acquaintance. He booked a package with Don Foster's Dive Cayman for six days of diving. Pablo's excitement about diving and snorkeling was infectious. He enjoyed several dives in the North, West and South Walls adapting to the weather changes with no problems. The family took a few suggestions about snorkeling and they had a blast together at Morritt's Dock,South Sound, Anchor Point,Casuarina Reef and Devil's Grotto.
I was lucky enough to share some "argentine mate" and good conversation as we planned together places to visit. I also had the opportunity to dive with Pablo in "Cross Roads", "Ned's Tunnels", "Don Foster's Reef" and "Eden Rock".
Pablo's dive skills were excellent and we really enjoyed our dives allowing us to see many creatures, go through many tunnels and even take a few pictures.
On the last day we BBQ at home, enjoyed some wine and a good chat. The family usually do not repeat vacation places as they prefer to explore new sites. However during dinner they talked about the possibility of coming back and continue exploring what the Caymans have to offer. We are waiting with our arms open to go diving again together. Pablo remember there is a lot more to see and Little Cayman and the Brac to visit still! Pia, get certified to dive with your Dad; You are a fish! Until next dive!

International Diving Hall of Fame - Grand Cayman

Last week end we attended the "International Under Water Film Festival" and the "International Diving Hall of Fame Awards Dinner"
For some of us that have been involved in the Diving Industry or just plain diving for fun for a long time, once again this event brought us close to some of the icons of diving that we have seen in TV documentaries or heard of from many many years.
In this year's event and thanks to Cathy Church, we had the opportunity to meet and chat for a little while with Valerie Taylor "The Shark Lady". Ron and Valerie hail from Australia and since the sixties they have been diving all over the world doing documentaries including many National Geographic episodes.
Listening to Valerie how she went from been a Champion Spear fisher to a Champion Conservationist is inspiring. Her passion for all creatures and specially marine creatures and her will to share that passion is a moment that we will not forget.
Although the event was well attended I can not help it but feel sorry for those dive fans that do not know what an opportunity they are missing every time this event comes around.
Since its inception, the International Diving Hall of Fame allowed me to meet personally with the most iconic figures involved in diving including the ones that were already famous when I was a kid. I did not get to meet Lloyd Bridges but I met his family, Jean Michelle Cousteau, Paul Tzimoulis, Stan Waterman, Al Giddings, Gery Murphy and others. They will not remember me but I will certainly remember them,the attention given and the few words we spoke. For ever they will be my heroes!
Until next dive.