We left for Dammam on Wed 4/8 by Aramco bus from the theater parking lot ~28 people altogether..although only 24 will proceed to the resort at Al-Lith. This trip to Al-Lith / Farasan for Troop 45 certification for scuba diving under PADI master diver James Vandervyver..they have been having dive classes since Feb'09 in Aramco 3rd street pool. Hannah passed her written exams before leaving for the trip. The flight to Jeddah took about 2 hours..some of the girls asked why there were so many men wearing towels to Jeddah....Actually these men were going for umrah and since miqaat is about 30mins before Jeddah..they wore their ihram either on the plane or from Dammam.
From Jeddah, an Aramco bus was waiting..what a blessing..the trip was well organized from start..left Jeddah about 9:30pm and pizza was served on the bus..the Al-Ahlam marina and resor is south of Jeddah about 230kms away..on highway 5 towards Jazan/Yemen... Al-Lith is the town where the Al-Ahlam marina is situated..it is a private marina belonging to a princess..if I am not mistaken Princess Nour who is about 70++..We arrived at the resort after midnite... was assigned our rooms by Erik and it was a 2-bedded room very large. the resort also has a Jacuzzi, a wading pool and a swimming pool..it also has it's own private beach....Only royalties in Saudi can have property along the coast... So this marina runs diving expeditions, classes etc under PADI...you can check their web-site... We straight when to bed bcos tomorrow the girls need to ahve an early start.
A knock on the door wakes up everybody...the girls got ready in their swimming gears and head for breakfast where scramble eggs..pancakes..toasts...meats etc were served..They need to ahve a full stomach so as not to feel cold underwater.... There's no need for showers since everyone will go in or under the water... Next we left for the marina abt 5mins away bu tuk-tuk or you can just walk...
At the marina..few boats belonging to the resort were there...the divers when onto the Jeddah diving boat while the rest of moms..me included will go by the speedboat to Abu Latt island where a tent was set-up...and we can swim or snorkel till the girls came for lunch...While on th way to Abu Latt..somebody says a whale shark was spotted...we could not see the whole whale only part of its tail/fins but we saw a few dolphins which I couldnt catch on camera clearly.. The view of the island was magnificent as can be seen in one of the photos... The water was so blue and clear that we can see the corals and small fishes swimming from the surface... The boat ride takes anywhere from 45mins to 1 hour from Al-Lith to Abu Latt island... as we got down the water was cool...I couldnt resist being in the water...although I dont swim well but I love being in the water...the area was calm..private with only 4 moms and the 3 boat handlers.. Got into my swimming wear...although a few was curios how I am going to bathe in the sea...Now they know how..I dont stay away...the water was lovely..just standing up to the chin in sea water...The beach was steep and I got to find a more level area to avoid being pulled whenever the tide retreats... Just jumping..kicking in the water..some water aerobics there...Here I am...in the clear blue water of the Red Sea..who would have believed...As I had enjoyed the fast boat ride..I enjoyed being in the water more...
I was on the banana boat ride with Ami, Emme, Veena and I sat at the back with everyone having life vest...I was saying to myself before being pulled away..If I feel into the sea what should I do...It did happen oon the 2nd round...the banana boat flip and we were thrown off into the water....while Emme and me let go...Veena and Ami were hanging on..I was thinking to myself..am I gonna float??..yes I did...But Veena&Ami did not let go of the BB and thus swallowed some salty seawater...Erik was screamng and waving to let go and swam to the boat... I had to be fished out from the sea onto the boat since I cant climb back to the BB... It was scary coz if I don't have the life vest..I would have sink...but than it was fun too...
After that we went for more soaking in the sea..one thing I notice..coming out of the water..my legs felt heavy....Went back to the tent for lunch...sandwiches and fruits and drinks...the girls had finished their first dive and came for lunch...About 1:30pm we left back for the marina...the girls got in around 5:30pm after finishing 1 more dive....
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