Turks and Caicos Sponges -

I just spent a week on an incredible live-aboard dive boat - the M.V. Turks and Caicos Explorer II. I didn't know what to expect because these guys don't advertise as much as the Aggressor Fleet and therefore they aren't seen as much in the scuba press for hire.

What I found was an incredible and wonderful surprise. An outstanding and professional crew, amazingly good food and great diving, to boot. I was lucky to have been ship board with some of the nicest people that I have ever dived with. And I also had a great chance to test out my new INON D200o Underwater Strobe. After working out some settings it performed very, very well. Expanding my photo capabilities and adding color to my underwater creativity (Check out the shot, above). And at decent price, too.

Next Up - The Turks & Caicos Explorer II - I'm heading out Saturday, August 6, for a week at sea with a new undwater strobe for my housed camera. I should be able to bring back a bunch of new shots and topics for discussion of relaxed diving techniques.  

Spa and Scuba - what could be more perfect together? A great day in the Caribbean sun, interactions with beautiful exotic sea creatures, and a professional deep-tissue massage to work out those last tweaks and twinges left over from your day-to-day tensions from back home. Sunscape Puerto Aventuras has found the mix. Pro-Dive Mexico is their on-site dive operator. They get consistent 5-star ratings from travel reviews on the web.

Their brand new spa is top notch as well - outfitted with masseurs, facials, hydro-treatments, pedicure and manicure, and much, much more. I sampled their Hot Stone Massage and I have to say that it was -without a doubt - the most relaxing massage that I can remember.

A week of diving with Pro-Dive Mexico and a few treatments from the Sunscape Puerto Aventuras Spa were all it took for me to melt into the ocean and forget all of my aches, pains and cares.