Bay of Islands!

We got in late last night at the Cowshed Backpacker’s Lodge, where Julia had delicious wonderful homemade lasagna, salad and garlic bread waiting for us. We had hot showers and stayed in bunk beds, and it was so nice to get out of the van for a night!! We’ve decided that we’re going to stay at the Backpacker’s Lodge again tonight (mainly for the shower and food—tonight is roast beef and potatoes and roasted vegetables) but all of the beds are taken so we will be staying in the van. Tomorrow morning we’re going to leave to drive up to Matauri Bay, where I’m sure I won’t have wireless internet.

Today we dove with Northland dive on the Wreck called The Canterbury and in a place called Big Eye Lair. Even though I’ve already dove the Canterbury, it was a ton of fun because Kaitlyn was here diving, and the friends I met on the boat yesterday were here diving as well. I ended up bringing 5 out of 10 divers on the boat today. The Canterbury was great because we went down with Shane as our guide, who brought us into the helicopter hanger near the stern of the boat. It was so cool because it was my first time inside of a shipwreck! We swam in through the back, saw where they’d have kept a helicopter and then swam forward and out a doorway. Then, Shane took us into another hallway which ended up in the pilothouse, so we could see out the windows of the room where they would steer the boat. So cool!! It was a little scary because it was a bit hard to see when we were in the hallway but Shane wouldn’t have taken us in a place that we couldn’t have gotten out of.

The next place, Big Eye Lair, was really cool because it included a pretty long tunnel (probably about 40 meters long) which opened up to a reef type area. There, we saw cleaner shrimp, which are brightly colored with really long antennae. Then, we swam back through the tunnel, out in the open for a bit, and ended in “Sonic Boom Cave” where you can hear the waves crashing underwater. There was definitely a bit of surge in the cave, but it was really cool to be in a cave and see waves crashing overhead. Overall it was a great day.

Tomorrow is more diving in Matauri Bay with the Auckland Uni Underwater Club! If I don’t get back here before Sunday, Happy Easter! Love you friends and family! Feel free to email me, Chelsea.roy@uconn.edu and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible! Sorry no pictures today, limited internet!!