July 13, 2012*

What a night!

There was a big wind storm that knocked out power in all of Himara, effecting Porto Palermo, too.

Waking up, I also accidentally brushed my teeth with sun tan lotion – the sun lotion and toothpaste are in identical looking containers, and both written in German.

We were to do three dives today, all deep; we were super paranoid about having extended surface intervals – there are no decompression chambers in Albania, and the hospitals don’t know how to treat the bends.

We had two tanks that were filled from the super compressor that we brought from Tirana.

We tested the air, and actually this batch was much better; it had no petroleum taste to it at all.

The fills were a little light, however.

We hired two kids with a paddle boat to drop us off at our spot; we were to swim back to shore.

Logged SCUBA Dive #417

Dove with Idit

Alitepelena Island, Wall Reef
Himara, Albania

Air Source: Portable Super Compressor We Brought From Tirana
In With: 2500 psi
Out With: 200 psi
Max depth: 97 feet
Waves: Flat
Visibility: Up to 50 feet
Water Temperature: 75 degrees
Air Temperature: 89 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 40 minutes or so

We jumped off the boat, thanked the kids, and descended.

I looked at my computer.

It wasn’t on, and wouldn’t turn on underwater; I surfaced to fix the issue.

The wall reef gets deep, really quickly.

We found what was left of a Roman or Greek wine vessel, from an ancient ship wreck – all the whole ones have been looted.

It was a nice, pleasurable and uneventful dive.

A boat anchor made out of a rock.

We made it back to shore with barely any air and made an easy exit.

We debriefed at the bar at the beach, before taking a short tour of the Ali Pasha Tepelena Castle…

The castle was a gift to one of Ali Pasha’s wives, and I believe, dates back to the 19th century.

Our next dive site was on the other side of the bay.

*Due to time constraints, lack of reliable internet access outside of Tirana, power outages in Tirana and the strength of Albanian beer, posting of this article has been delayed.

After a spectacular lunch of chicken and broccoli, rice and Italian bread, the next dive spot was undetermined.

I went to the top deck of the boat and fell asleep.

The boat never started, but I was awakened by people jumping off the side.

I climbed down on to the main deck and asked one of the deck hands, “I guess this is our next spot, too?”

“Yep.”

I geared up and went over.

Logged SCUBA Dive #412

Solo Diving

“Lula” , Catalina, CA

In With: 2900 psi
Out With: 600 psi
Max depth: 72 feet
Waves: Pretty flat
Visibility: Up to 20 feet, but more like 15 feet
Water Temperature: 65 degrees, colder at depth
Air Temperature: 84 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 40 minutes or so

I went a little more North than before, and ran into the reef that I was suppose to last time.

I came across an anchor that was wedged between two rocks.

Ha! Ha! Money!

There was a chain attached to it, so I decided to see how much of a chain – I followed it, and followed it and the chain went right up to the Cee Ray.

I surfaced and told Jensen, one of the deck hands, “You know that the anchor is wedged between two rocks?”

“Yeah, we’ll get it out, we anchor here all the time.”

I continued my dive, sticking shallower.

I lost my way back to the boat, but as I was surfacing, I saw divers on the surface – more than a couple.

I assumed it was students making their way back to the boat, so I stalked them at depth, making my way back to underneath the swim step, where I waited my turn – hoping to loot any gear that may be dropped in the water upon boarding.

I wasn’t fortunate enough to get any more gear, but did make it back with no issues.

Review of the Cee Ray:

I really like the way the boat is run.

They don’t rush the gate, the boat goes some places that no other boats go to, and the food is really good – breakfast, several snacks and a gourmet lunch.

The Cee Ray’s swim step was a little awkward for me; I am used to just taking my fins off and either walking to shore or climbing up a ladder.

Their swim step rests about a foot or two underwater; so, you sort of have to flail onto the step and then climb up the ladder.

However, it’s good for students who aren’t used to the weight of SCUBA gear.

After a great day of diving, the galley sells Pacifico and New Castle – no Budweiser!

I am partially responsible for drinking their beer supply dry.

Also, I have to say, even though I don’t agree with a lot of Sports Chalet’s business practices, their Divemasters and Instructors have great personalities and are very professional.

Captain Mike runs a great dive boat – I hope to be back soon.

Speaking of coming soon…

Coming Soon!

A great video of today’s dives, plus Rescue at Sea!