Location: Gili Islands
Hi everyone!
Hu here again. We woke up today off the coast of the beautiful Gili Islands. I started the day with some Disney tunes, which Margo and Amelia popped right up to interpretive dance to in the hallway (never seen them get up so quick!). Vivian graced us with some delicious blueberry muffins for breakfast while we hoisted up the anchor (thank you hydraulics (see day 61 for context)). Our dive guide, Rafi, joined us for the day to show us some beautiful reefs. We had four dive groups today; two in the morning and two after lunch. The first dive group included; Bo, Ian, Preston, Rykleigh, Kayli, and Chloe-led by Sydnei. They saw so many sea turtles and beautiful coral heads! Dive group two included; Margo, Carly, Lucia, Justin, Sid, and Navarre- led by Gabe and myself. This dive group had a lot of teamwork, as Margo, who has an injured big toe, could only dive with one fin. Many helped “toe” her throughout the dive as there was a little bit of a current-with Navarre leading the charge and making sure she easily stayed with the group.
We saw an eel, a speckled ray, and sea turtles (my fav), as well as had some shenanigans. Everyone was back on Argo for lunch, which was some delicious BBQ jackfruit made again by our head chef Vivian and her sous chefs, Emma and Whitney. Carolyn also made some amazing rolls to go with it. After lunch, the third dive group splashed (went for their dive). This group included; Vivian, Emma, Whitney, Grace, and Will- led by Amanda C. and Carolyn. This group was the first to see cuttlefish!! So so cool! As well as some octopi and sea turtles! The fourth group also saw cuttlefish!! Very rare! This group included; Gordon, Jack, Chris, D, Amelia, Matt, and Zack- led by Lolo. We really appreciate Rafi for diving with all of us today and for Tim, who was on the helm the entire day live-boating Argo (this is when we don’t anchor Argo and are just floating/moving around the dive site).
After the fourth dive, we had some downtime where people continued working on Nav Master, as they had practice time with Gabe throughout the day. For a special treat (really due to the rainstorm), we had dinner down below in the salon! The chefs made us some delicious taco bowls annnnnd Danish Christmas cookies! SO delicious! Dinner down below led to some fun conversations and an appreciation for eating a meal on a table. My squeeze question was if you were a founder of a Hogwarts house, what would your core value be, and what would your animal/emblem be? Mine was friendliness and a penguin, but answers varied from mischievous Macaques (see day 68) to narwhales with a core value of cooking shish-kabobs- very creative. Another great day here on Argo, with excitement for more diving tomorrow.
A couple of birthday shoutouts: Carolyn’s dad, Jim, and my mom’s birthday is the 30th! We love you and hope you both have lovely days!
All my best,
Hu
Picture 1and2: Eating dinner down below for the first (and likely only) time
Picture 3: Dive group 3 (peep the sea turtles)
Picture 4: Dive group 4