![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/3-13-13b-005.jpg\" "\\"OLYMPUS")
<\/a>Speaking of no wind, and I was earlier in this post if you have lost track, I almost have. \u00a0It\u2019s interesting how the wind goes light and variable ahead of a cold front.\u00a0 Tonight as the front passes, the wind will quickly build from the north and gust to 25kts or more for a day or so.\u00a0 So, today we will enjoy the calm conditions.\u00a0 After the front passes and the winds return to the east, we will probably be sailing to Cat Island our first move in a northerly direction since coming to the Bahamas two months ago.<\/p>\nThe two month milestone was particularly important given the fact that\u00a0 we had only been given that amount of time on our visa when we arrived and it will expire on Monday.\u00a0 One\u00a0doesn’t\u00a0want to have an expired visa, ever, I am told.\u00a0 Happily, we were able to renew our visas yesterday on Long Island from a very well dressed and pleasant officer here on the island. \u00a0All government officials dress really well. \u00a0The \u201cgovernment offices\u201d here in Long Island are \u201cmodest\u201d.\u00a0 Actually, the \u201ccomplex\u201d of buildings were mostly unmarked save a sign at the road. Getting to the offices without a car would be tough so it was timely that we had decided to rent a car with some friends to tour the island.\u00a0 The customs office was not even close to any harbor that we can get into here on the island.<\/p>\n Having a car and driving down the road, after two months of sailing was quite a novel sensation.\u00a0 To go fast in a car and not get splashed, as we do in the dink, was great.\u00a0 However, the thrill was tempered somewhat by the $6.00 gas prices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Long Island is actually quite long, as the name suggests.\u00a0 I say long and not large as while it\u2019s 50 miles long, it\u2019s only about a mile wide (or much less) at any point. Even though the main road is paved, it takes hours to drive from one end to the other, and on the wrong side of the road.\u00a0 Having said that, we\u00a0didn’t\u00a0have to worry about getting lost as there is only one north south road that runs from one end to the other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Our plan for the day was to do a bit of sightseeing\u00a0including\u00a0a visit to Dean\u2019s Blue Hole, billed as the deepest in the world at over 600 feet.\u00a0 This video is of some guy that did a free dive at Dean’s. \u00a0Take a deep breath and watch…<\/p>\n<\/a>The management of visas is taken very seriously here in the Bahamas.\u00a0 We had heard a story yesterday about a guy who had lost their immigration card, given to him when they cleared in through customs. On top of that they were late, by one day, applying for an extension. \u00a0Because of this\u00a0he was told to leave the Bahamas immediately, clear into another country and then they could reenter the country and get a new visa.\u00a0 And, all of this was happening with an approaching cold front making leaving dangerous.\u00a0 I understand that after much back and forth, he was given a stay of execution to remain in the Bahamas until the weather settles down next week. \u00a0Having heard about this we were a bit anxious about what sort of complications we might run into ourselves. Happily, all went well.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/span>To be able to walk out in water that is less than three feet deep and stand on the edge of a sheer drop off that plunges to that depth is an amazing sight to behold.\u00a0 The hole is a deep blue but it\u00a0doesn’t\u00a0really show in this photo as the surf was up and the water a bit murky.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>In the middle of the hole there is a raft moored for free divers to practice their \u201csport\u201d.\u00a0 This sport is to see how far down you can dive while holding your breath and return to the surface.\u00a0 Divers come from all over the world to compete for the distinction of being able to dive the deepest.<\/a><\/span>This guy was practicing.\u00a0 He sat for what seemed like for ever prior to slowly diving down. \u00a0Some meditate and are able to slow down their heart rate to a point where they can go with less oxygen than mere mortals. \u00a0He wore a single flipper that looked like a mermaid fin and held both of his feet.\u00a0 Notice the wire going straight down into the water from the float.\u00a0 They clip to that wire to help guide them down and back.<\/a><\/span>I understand that there is some hearty sole that actually reached the bottom and returned to the surface on a single breath. \u00a0Not sure I have that quite right as I have heard conflicting reports on what’s actually the deepest dive. \u00a0Those who practice the sport can hold their breath for up to four minutes.\u00a0 I feel short of breath just writing about it. Yikes\u2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n