October is a very busy birthday month here in Madagascar…we had just celebrated Maria’s birthday a week ago and now Amy Alton’s on SV Starry Horizons birthday was on the 7th. She really wanted to go diving for her birthday….we were invited to join!
From Nosy Komba, we all headed to Saktia Island on Sunday where the Saktia Lodge has a diving operation and we were told they are really good…they did not disappoint. The dive was to happen on Monday (Amy’s actual birthday) so that gave us a night to rest up or in my case…recover from the hike… before the dive the next morning. A perfect time for game night a board Starry Horizons….
That’s right…this was my turn…brilliant choices….guess which one I choose?!
Dive on!!!! At the beach by 8 am to start to set up our gear. Emma, our dive guide was fantastic… and we also had another American who just completed his dive masters course in the Seychelles….feeling safe!
Suited up…. 
Tanks filled…. 
And we are off…. 
Descending… 
Alligator fish…who knew?! 
Manta shrimp… we actually ate these in Indonesia…so cool to see them in the “wild”…. 
Nudibranch… 
Coral looked good 
“Wait…where did you go?!” 
Fish ball…. 
Bluespotted ribbontail ray…never seen one before! Underwater, the blue spots shined and shimmered like sapphires in the sun…it was memorizing! 
Off it goes…. 
I do love the water and I used to want to be a diver a few decades ago….however we don’t dive enough or in any regularity for me to feel comfortable. The first dive I had a hard time breathing and had issues with my weights. The second dive my mask was giving me some issues…. But by the end of the second dive I was getting more comfortable and the all the cool things to see eased my fears. We all had a really good time….it’s time for jazz hands! : )
Why is the blog post titled “Amy’s Birthday Turtle”? ….. Well…during our break in between dives, Emma told us about the turtle sanctuary just inside the bay and a story about a lady, who on her birthday, really wanted to see a turtle but was scared to go by herself….so Emma went with her….sure enough the lady saw one with Emma….at this point we told Emma it was Amy’s birthday that day and as you can image….we all thought it would be appropriate to see a turtle…and turtle we saw!
It swam so close to us…in no big rush….silently and gracefully gliding so we all could freak out….. with excitement!
Birthday dinner at Sakatia Lodge…reservation needed…. 3 courses of deliciousness…a perfect way to end the day!
Happy Birthday Amy!!! It’s our second one in a row we have been able to celebrate with you…maybe next year too?!
Up Next: Russian Bay, Madagascar: Trevor’s birthday…another epic party!!!!
We will have to see where you end up next year on my birthday….I think we’ll be driving to the Annapolis Boat Show…or at least I’m hoping we can attend next year. Love yall, thanks for spending my birthday with me!!!