Trip Report to Lubbers, July 14-21

[LuvDeIlons]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]This trip (our 5th to the Abacos) was basically a duplication of our trip in June 2004 as we again rented adjacent houses, Hardaground and Abaco Pink Palm. Our group included 9 adults, ages 28-60, and 5 young folks, ages 2-13. We

[LuvDeIlons]

Pictures from Fowl Cay Diving
1) Grouper
2) Divers and interested spectators
3) A diving friend
4) Same diving friend
5) A friendlier dive buddy

[LuvDeIlons]

1) Tahiti Beach at incoming tide
2) Chillin' out on the Hardaground dock
3) Rays at Fowl Cay
4) More of the Rays
5) Hardaground

[Charlotte Couple]

Great photos! Is there anything prettier than a spotted eagle ray?

[LuvDeIlons]

1) Fun at Tahiti Beach
2) More fun at Tahiti
3) Shot of Tahiti at high water
We've got lots more pictures, but don't want to bore anyone with so many family shots.

[DaGoose]

Oh please, 'bore' us!

The little ones must have had a blast!

Tina

[Patti Puzo]

Originally Posted by DaGoose

Oh please, 'bore' us!

The little ones must have had a blast!

Tina

Yeah, what Tina said..... excellent!

Tina, is this near Green Bananas?

[DaGoose]

Originally Posted by Patti Puzo

Yeah, what Tina said..... excellent!

Tina, is this near Green Bananas?

Yep, Patti, Pink Palm is right next door to GB. They actually share the same dock.

Tina

[JJ]

So lovely, making new memories with the grandkids. Your pictures are wonderful. I have frequently thought about giving Lubbers a try some day, although we have trouble pulling away from Green Turtle. Maybe if we ever get where we can afford to go a couple of times a year, then we can hop around a bit. I really like how secluded Lubbers must feel.

[Patti Puzo]

Here is our granddaughter Gyli... she is a shy little thing like her Nana, LOL..... We've invited her, and mommy and daddy to meet us in Guana for a couple of days next May. I can just picture her on the beach!

[BahamaAngie]

LuvDeIlons....great pictues, post more. Patti she is adorable.

[Rock Steady]

Glad you had a great trip to The Rock. I'm now heartsick...gotta go to Abaco...

Thanks for the pics,

c

[LuvDeIlons]

Patti and JJ and others,
We're so fortunate to have had the opportunity to enjoy all of our children (3) and grandchildren (5) on Lubbers. One highlight was the first "real" open water dive for our 13 year old granddaughter since being certified earlier in July. She LOVED every minute of it (well maybe not the proximity of the sharks.) She learned "reverse swimming" very quickly when she made entry to a swim through cave at Fowl Cay, only to see a large grouper in residence. She did ultimately swim through the hole, sans grouper.
Even the two 2 year olds got into the act, semi-snorkeling, wearing goggles, but holding one's breath at 2 isn't exactly natural.
One unfortunate occurance of note was an accident involving a PWC and a boat between the castle and the south end of Lubbers. The Hopetown Fire Rescue medical team responded quickly and took the young boy to MH for care. Wonder if anyone has an update on that as we have never heard more about it. I posted a message about it under Dr. Ralph's rant about PWC's.
BillR
Pictures
1) Preparing to snorkel at Fowl Cay
2) More Fowl Cay snorkeling prep
3) Did I say we used and enjoyed the dock at Hardaground?
4) Granddad and newest little one
5) Second newest little one

[LuvDeIlons]

Let me know when enough's enough.
1) Granddad's precious ones
2) Studying the safety features of the Beech 1900
3) Back in the "Cheap Seats" on the Beech 1900
4) Hamming it up for the camera
5) Getting some guidance in the fine art of playing hearts

[LuvDeIlons]

1) G'mom with one getting some zzz's
2) Pre-snorkel instruction on goggle fitting from Mom/Aunt (and soon to be Mom again)
3) The goggles fit!!
4) Heading to Fowl to snorkel
5) Getting our feet wet at Fowl

[LuvDeIlons]

1) Enjoying the screened porch (that's not coke they're drinking)
2) Best buds, for the moment.
3) All that goggle training paid off
4) I'm fine in the water, but this life jacket is going to choke me!
5) G'mom and G'dad enjoying family time at Tahiti Beach

[LuvDeIlons]

1) Our "Baby"
2) First mate (and a very good one!)
3) Glad we had food in the freezer
4) The infamous "Grouper Hole"
5) 1st and 2nd mates gettin' ready to do their thing in Hopetown (I mean heading for Ice Cream, not tying up the boat)

[Mike from Boston]

Great photos of the grandkids. Looks like they really enjoyed themselves. Another world for them to explore. Anticipating the day I get my grandson Quinn down there. Many curlytails to chase. Enjoy

[BahamaAngie]

It's definitely a great place for a family. Okay....I have to ask, wasn't anyone scared of those ssssharks??

[Marty]

Sharks are magnificent creatures. I love every second I get to dive with them. The thrill of being in the water with them and the grace with which they seem to glide effortlessly through the water is amazing. You are in their world, respect them, give them space, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Beautiful pictures (and family). We were looking at renting Hardaground next summer. Glad to hear it's a good choice.

[Charlotte Couple]

Love your photos! We rented that same boat (Sea Grass) from Rainbow Rentals several years ago. Since you're from Charlotte, why don't you join us at T-Bones on Lake Wylie on 8/31 to welcome Patti Puzo to Charlotte? You'll get to meet the infamous Ken Parrott and his lovely wife Carol, too.

[Patti Puzo]

Originally Posted by Charlotte Couple

Love your photos! We rented that same boat (Sea Grass) from Rainbow Rentals several years ago. Since you're from Charlotte, why don't you join us at T-Bones on Lake Wylie on 8/31 to welcome Patti Puzo to Charlotte? You'll get to meet the infamous Ken Parrott and his lovely wife Carol, too.

Please do! We all would love to meet you, and I would love to hear more about your trip. Also, our granddaughter Gyli is 3, and a true water-baby. She dives into the deep end of the pool, and thinks nothing of staying on the bottom for a bit. We just grab her, and she laughs and says "again"! She can dog paddle to the edge most times, but is becoming a stronger swimmer everyday. I would like to ask your tips about the 2 year old snorkeling and keeping the mask on. I think she would absolutely love it! She was running and diving into the waves in NC 2 weeks ago. Not a fear in the world.
Lat, see you soon! Can you bring grandbaby pix?

[Marty]

Looks like you guys were diving on your own. How much of the equipment did you bring and how much did you rent (besides the tanks of course)? We will have 3 or 4 divers with us and we were toying with the idea of doing it on our own this time.

Thanks.

[LuvDeIlons]

Marty,
Our three divers brought their own masks, fins, snorkels, dive computer and booties. Tanks, BC, weights, etc., were rented from Froggies. My son and son-in-law had dived both with Froggies and on their own on a prior trip. Dodge's Abaco Guide has good info on location sites if you choose to go on your own.
BillR

[Charlotte Couple]

Originally Posted by Patti Puzo

Lat, see you soon! Can you bring grandbaby pix?

I believe there's a slight chance that Debby will have some grandbaby photos with her to show you .

[LuvDeIlons]

Thanks for the invite. Patsy and I will make every effort to be there. Have you set a time?
BillR

[Patti Puzo]

I land around 1:30, and Ken Parrott said it should take about 20 minutes to get to T-Bones. We should be there for the evening.
Take care Bill, and I loved your trip report and pictures. I just got finished showing them to our granddaughter. She was fascinated with the kids swimming and on the boat, and being able to see the fish in the water. Great job!
Patti P.

[Marty]

Did they rent the gear for a day or for a series of days? How many tanks each? Did Froggies refill for you? What was the cost compared to diving with them?

Sorry for all the questions, but we are seriously looking at this as an option. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by LuvDeIlons

Marty,
Our three divers brought their own masks, fins, snorkels, dive computer and booties. Tanks, BC, weights, etc., were rented from Froggies. My son and son-in-law had dived both with Froggies and on their own on a prior trip. Dodge's Abaco Guide has good info on location sites if you choose to go on your own.
BillR