Tue 9 Sep 2008
Hurricane Ike passed about 200km north of Grand Cayman last night. Nothing was closed and it was businesses as usual yesterday and today. During the night however, we had very loud thunder and lots of lightening. This is the closest that Ike came to us. More than close enough if you ask me! Lets hope this is the last system in a while.
I filmed the lightening in the Youtube video below. You will see that there was lots of it. Not my best video ever, but gives you a good idea. What was impressive is that it was one after another and not one ever 30 seconds or so. It was quite intense ; the video does not do justice to the event. haha
Finally, wave action in George Town around 3pm today. Similar to after Gustav in intensity. Notice that near then end of the video, a wave comes right at me and I had to get out of the way. I was on my way to a client meeting and did not want to show up soaked in sea water! 🙂
Lets hope everything stays calm so that I can complete my diving certification this upcoming week-end.
Congrats on the diving!! Your mermaid photo sent my husband to his Cayman map and found that we are ?? north diving vs south of Georgetown diving. He’s altering his itineray, I think! I had the kids watch the lightening… very intense! You continue to make monitering your site very enjoyable and informative. Best to you.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it 🙂 Glad you liked the Mermaid & lightening The mermaid is an easy shore dive away and well worth it!
Cheers 🙂
Micho
I take it Georgetown doesn’t normally look like that w/ waves? We’ve never been. What have the storms thus far (Ike & Gustav) done to the shallow corals?
Normally what I was filming (especially when I pan to the left) there are people swimming/snorkeling. The ocean normally only has very small waves ; these must have been 5-6ft. The corals should be just fine and ready for all of us to enjoy in 1-2 days when the wind dies down 🙂
Hey there. I really appreciate your comments and video re: the status of Georgetown and Grand Cayman. Any word on the recent action or damage on Cayman Brac?
Hi 🙂
Glad you like my updates. The best place to get news on the Brac is (you may have found my site from there though …) on http://www.stormcarib.com Go to the Cayman section and scroll down; there are some people who posted some pictures from there.
Cheers
Micho
Little late to the party, but have to ask (I’m not a diver, only snorkel): how do you clear a mask under water?? It sounds so simple, yet…
Just puzzled…
@Aldea
Its actually quite easy and after 1-2 attempts everyone in the class got the hang of it.
When the mask has water in it (even if its completely full) take a deep breath then lift the bottom part of the mask (top part stays on your face) about 1/16th of an inch (just a crack basically) and exhale via your nose for about 2 seconds. Almost like magic, your mask will be filled with air and the water will be gone.
Let me know how the practice runs go 🙂 You can easily try it when snorkeling.