Date: February 19-26, 2005
Destination: Bligh Triangle, Fiji
Returning Passengers: Raylene Canby and Randy Peterson
The first trip in 2005 saw the old girl full to the brim with new faces, a
new-look salon, and an ensuite for the lucky Cabin 10 inhabitants. After
our 6-week refit, the dive sites are looking as great as ever with all our
old friends still waiting to be photographed (and fed) and plenty of new
juveniles just begging to be chased with a video camera.
Randy Peterson and Raylene Canby joined us for their second NAI’A adventure, and rated this even better than the first! Arnie Riesen with his trusty Nik V and his heirem of spotters (wife Fran and their regular travel buddy Kim Morris) blasted away at anything that moved – and plenty of critters that didn’t. Scott and Samia Foster, armed with video and digital stills camera respectively, kept the onboard wrasse expert on his toes and ensured that every nudibranch in Fiji got its daily dose of strobe light.
 Trout cod hiding in soft coral. Photo: Samia Foster. |
 Honeymooners Deanna and Adrian Smith. |
Travel agent Sara Ching Leonard came to do some on-site research and made work
look a lot like a dive holiday. Michael Shwayder tried his hand at underwater
video with great success – an extreme close-up of a banded sea snake
(or was it a krait?), among other things. Son Mark made short work of the
PADI nitrox course and celebrated with the boys – guitar in hand -
around the kava bowl.
 Michael and Mark Shwayder. |
 Jim Bruce and Dianne Martin. |
Eric Leurtzing kept the boys up late with plenty of night dives, while wife
Jackie sensibly kept diving strictly a daytime affair and celebrated her
29th birthday – Fiji style. Dianne Martin and Jim Bruce overcame early
gear problems and enjoyed the tropical heat – a far cry from the snow
they have to go home to. Bob Ray found time in between dives to translate
his favourite Fijian tunes, while wife Audrey proved herself to be one of
the toughest divers in the business surviving tanks and triggerfish with
an icepack, a smile, and another dive to soak the bumps, bites and bruises
away.
Finally, it wouldn’t be a tropical island cruise without a couple of honeymooners. Adrian Smith and Deanna Sandusky filled the bill on Part One of their post-wedding holiday – a lovely couple and we wish them all the best.
FROM THE GUEST BOOK
Absolutely wonderful trip – even better than the first
time. Many thanks for your gracious hospitality and sharing your
ocean knowledge.
Raylene Canby and Randy Petersen, Kirkland WA
Thanks for a fabulous trip. You all made us feel welcome.
Loved the diving, food, and music. Josh and Liz, we wish you the
best.
Audrey and Bob Ray, Tuscon AZ
Thanks for a fantastic week of diving and friendship. What
a wonderful getaway! We appreciate your hard work as well as your
fun time – thanks!
Scott & Samia Foster, Davis CA
The warmth and comradarie of all the crew made this an outstanding
and very special time.
Michael and Mark Shwayder, Manhattan Beach CA
Loved the diving, crew, boat, and food!! We will be back!!
Arnie & Fran Riesen, San Anselmo CA
To the NAIA crew – you are the BEST. You made our
cruise special. The diving was beautiful! Many thanks.
Kim Morris, Santa Rosa CA
Thanks for sharing your land, water and people with us.
You have made our time here very special. To share a beautiful
time with beautiful people is what life is all about.
Jim Bruce & Dianne Martin, Calgary, Canada
