The Giandalias do Tortola.

After many blustery trials, the Giandalia family finally had enough of their 'Philadelphia Vacation' (aka cancelled flight and four day lay over) and arrived to the island on Christmas Eve. We have only two full days to show them around the rock. Today consisted of a beach & spectacular view tour/failed snorkeling attempt/loose island animal gawking/Christmas gift opening, island extravaganza. For our first tropical Christmas, it wasn't half bad. We even had a full band, complete with cowbell and banjo, pile onto our porch to play us a couple of Caribbean Christmas tunes. Here are a couple quick pictures to capture the day.

Merry Christmas to all!

Tears in my mask, fillin' up so fast...

Yesterday we completed our PADI open water diving certification. We crammed 4 days worth of theory (80's style DVDs), pool work and open water classes into 3 long Saturdays. I was never phased by the concept of breathing underwater until it was time to jump off of our boat into turbulent waves, wearing 70 lbs of gear. Matt was able to gracefully descend without a complaint, but i was shaking and tearing up in my mask.

Luckily our dive instructor was able to relax me, and although I was shaking my head and mumbling "no... no" through my regulator, he pretended I was fine and deflated my buoyancy control device so that I began to sink down the weighted rope.

Continuously I dug my wrinkled fingers into Matt's wet-suited arm as I was trying to remember that breathing in comes after breathing out.

Luckily my confidence grew with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th dive. I managed to slip trough the certification process without knowing how to control my body while doing a fin pivot, but non the less I've got the basics down and I'm ready to explore with the fishes.

Clint and Michelle cruising

Scuba- Pro

Slimming effect of the wetsuit.
Clint and Michelle

Checkin' out a small cave

Creature from the deep abyss

Trying out a mo- hawk of sorts... hovering above the sea floor.

Stopped for a quick photo op, compliments of our instructor/underwater photographer

Gary.

Baby Drum... gorgeous.

Queen Angel fish, this picture does her no justice.