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| "Do you, Bruce, promise
to take out the trash for the next 50 years?"
Captain Johnathan reads out the quirky vows for
Bruce & Amara Thayer. |
Steve Webster came back for his fifth visit and brought
with him 17 friends and colleagues from the Monterey Bay
Aquarium for 10 days of celebrations, education, and Bligh
Water goodness. Carol Davis became the undisputed baby
moray queen, while husband Jeff battled ear problems to
become the number one manta spotter for the trip. Rita
Petersen got stuck into the world of digital photography
with an arsenal of cameras, and gave life to a coconut
called Wilson. Mary Martha Waltz more than tripled her
total number of dives, starting with just 10. Despite
losing his custom-made fin at Cat's Meow, Bob Rorden battled
on diving and shooting photos while son Paul become the
envy of us all with his mastery of the power-nap. Powerbook
buddies Todd Ruston & Julie Veitch entertained us
with a digital slide show of their finest shots, while
Mark Vignola and Lisa Uttal helped out with coral and
fish transects at GoMo.
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|
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| Snorkelers Sue Pinchney,
Dotty Weisheit and Dee Dannemiller. |
|
Divers Jeff
and Carol Davis. |
In a feat of planning unmatched anywhere in the world,
we managed to organize snorkel locations that got better
every single time. The NAI'A snorkel team led by the dynamo
known as Dotty Weisheit, and accompanied by Dee Dannemiller,
Sue Pinckney and William Ponder returned from each session
remarkably claiming it was the "Best Ever".
Topside, every and any occasion was an excuse for Roger
Luckenbach to get jiggy, be it kava party, his birthday,
the village visit, or just a pending dive (nice coconuts...).
The celebrations just kept on coming with Amara Thayer
celebrating her birthday, too, followed by a surprise
renewal of vows with husband Bruce in a wonderful Fijian
service performed by Captain Johnathan, Chief Officer
Jioji, Bosun Mo, and Steve Webster.
On a sad note, our dear companion Wilson (the coconut)
did not survive the trip ten days of late night cabin
visits just got the better of him. He was buried at sea
in a moving service performed by Steve Webster, and attended
by all of his friends and lovers. R.I.P.
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| Monterey Bay Acquarium's
Mark Vignola, Steve Webster, Todd Ruston, Julie
Veitch, Roger Luckenbach and Lisa Uttal. |
FROM THE GUEST BOOK
Once again a great experience. All superb -- great cruise
directors, great dive sites, great food, delightful crew. (But
can't you do something about those tides?) See you all again for
the New Year's trip.
Steve Webster, Carmel Valley CA
You have definitely spoiled me for diving with any
other group but yours the NAI'A guess I'll just become a NAI'A
"groupie"! Everything and everyone sheer perfection.
Mary Martha Waltz, Carmel CA
Don't change anything!!
William Ponder, Aptos CA
Very friendly and welcoming crew -- they all know your
name. Josh and Liz were very knowledgable.
Paul Rorden, Los Altos CA
The dive guides were very effective at pointing out
critters.
Todd Ruston, Salinas CA
Vinaka vaka levu to all the marvelous staff
-- it was a memorable experience. The welcome feeling, the
camaraderie among crew and guests - it was The Best! I'll
miss you!
Dotty Weisheit, Monterey CA
NAI’A crew thanks for a wonderful re-introduction
to Fiji. I appreciate your crew's mellow demeanor and friendly
style. Keep watch over all the opercula for me.
Lisa Utall, Santa Cruz CA
Vinaka to all the crew aboard the NAI'A. You
are the best. The trip was the best. The diving was the best.
It was the BEST EVER. Many, many thanks.
Julie Veitch, Carmel CA
Thanks much for all the great diving. See you next
time.
Mark Vignola, Durham, NC
Wonderful warmth and hard work of the crew. Richard's
joy in the water was infectious. Josh & Liz are great
additions.
Roger Luckenbach, Carmel Valley CA
Thank you all so very much for making this such a fantastic
trip. Your smiles each day made my day, also the water, fish,
food, etc, haha. I hope to be aboard again.
Rita Peterson, Monterey CA
Our NAI'A Fijian wedding was such a great party! We
couldn't have improved on the ceremony, the guests, the setting,
the crew band, or the kava. Bubbles forever.
Amara & Bruce Thayer, Iowa City, IA
All was terrific - great people, great food, great
treatment from beginning to end. The diving compares very
well to my best experiences on other liveaboards. We cannot
think of anything that could have been done to make it better.
We were left speechless by the sights and sounds of Fiji.
Jeff & Carol Davis, Los Altos Hills CA
Suli, Richard, Peni and everyone else: thank you for
Roger's birthday celebration. We hope to come to Fiji again
soon.
Sue Pinckney, Carmel Valley CA
Thank you for a lovely adventure. I would not want
to change a thing. The beautiful country and underwater sights
are unforgettable, and especially the crew of the NAI'A --
beautiful people, beautiful ship.
Dee Dannemiller, Salinas CA
|
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| William Ponder in one
of his trademark party shirts.
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| Roger Luckenbach just
being his shy, quiet self.
|
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| Paul Rorden with his
father, Bob.
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| Rita Peterson downs the
kava..
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| Mary Martha Waltz.
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| Steve Webster.
|
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| Oi, get your hands off
my birthday cake!
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| Wilson, after one too
many.
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| Roger's birthday.
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