WHALE SHARK. I can hardly believe it but I went out on the boat for the first time today and we actually saw a whale shark. We were able to get into the water and snorkel with it for several minutes. It was a female about 15 or 16 feet long. Look them up on the Internet - they are the largest fish in the sea and really cool. Many people have been here for months and have never seen one. Since I've completed the class on whale sharks now I can go out and assist some time and hopefully see another one.

The boat captain, Willie, is a native and really knows the waters. He was very helpful today in finding the shark. He said I can run the boat sometime which is another skill I want to develop. The boat is the one on the Utila Lodge web cam closest to the camera. Its really funny that I was getting things ready and waiting for customers and Gerri actually saw me on the web cam today. I was only there for about 5 minutes so that was really pretty cool.

I also did my first aid class this morning and got a score of 100% on the test. I'm now an EFR or Emergency First Responder.

I had my first duties as a trainee today. We got back from the whale sighting about 6pm and I had to do the put away of all the equipment. It was no big deal and only took about 1/2 hour.

I found out I can work on this blog from the bar above the dive shop so I'm not getting eatin by bugs. I just finished a shrimp dinner and a couple of beers. I also SKYPED Gerri tonight and used the web cam so we could see each other. Its free and its lots of fun to be able to stay in contact like that.

Tomorrow I hope to get some food for the apartment to save a few dollars (limperas). I have my first divemaster class or review tomorrow at 2pm.