Lucky 13….I have always liked that number for some reason. I think
back on some of my memorable 13’s. I’ve had very good Friday the 13th
(s) in the past…I even had 13 as a Powerball number and won a few
bucks. So today is 29 July 2007 and my first full day here at Little
Cayman Beach Resort. Where does 13 come in you ask? Well, today is my
FIRST dive “into the blue” and it is my 13th dive EVER. I had been
invited to join this elite group of women accompanied by a brave and
gentle man to this island paradise and dive for an entire week
together. And as our boat “Holiday II” rides the waves of the most
beautiful blue shades, I am excited to see what is below us. Our crew –
consisting of Dottie, Sunny and Phil are the best there is. They are
kind and friendly with a perfect dash of fun and ornery. They tell us
our first destination is Mike’s Mount on Bloody Bay Wall. I have read
so much about this famous wall – I mean, it’s the reason people come
here!! I can’t hardly stand myse
lf – and as I am sitting on the back of the boat and getting my
equipment on – I hear – your air is on…blah, blah, blah…ok, I’m not
sure of what else they said, but my mind clicked thru everything I’m
supposed to do and check. Ok – here I go….GIANT STRIDE off the boat. I
give the big OK and lay just looking into the blue depths. My breath
is taken away as I slowly descend with my buddy Tina into a heaven of
color and blue beauty. I can see forever and all I can do is
outstretch my arms at the amazement of how big it is. I slowly descend
unable to look away from anything as I want to see it all! We glide
effortlessly through my first swim thru and up over a reef. As we
reach the top of the reef, the she is….a Lemon shark; right in front
of us about 30 feet. I am so excited – she zig-zags back and forth
before leaving. My first dive and I see a shark! I want to see more!
Then Tina points to a stingray waving at us as he passes by – I wave
back…it would have been rude not to, wo
uldn’t it? I see beautiful reefs of color full of little workers of
every color – busy doing what they do. We swim toward the edge and
this is the most incredible part – I swim over the edge of the wall
and open my arms wide as I look down into the depths of the abyss. It
feels like I’m in a freefall that never stops. I am overwhelmed. There
is much to be said for the incredible power and beauty the Bloody Bay
Wall has in her. She holds the secrets of the ocean – and she also
resides in the best place I could have ever imagined….Little Cayman. I
have had the most wonderful experience here…the staff are kind, the
food is unimaginable! The rooms are wonderful and comfy after a full
day of diving in paradise. Thank you Little Cayman Beach Resort….you
will never be forgotten!

Anne Rice
29 July 2007