Lyn's Quicky

 "SS President Coolidge"

 On the spur of the moment decision induced by a new special enticed a small group of us for a 6 day quickie to Vanuatu. This would be a great holiday diving on the Coolidge.

The new route exiting Brisbane direct to Santo (bye-passing an overnight in Port Villa) sounded great, it meant more diving. John, Mick, Ken, Steve, Bob, Lyn, Vicki, Boris and Jason, (and people ask "Where's Gordie"; he was supposed to come but injured his shoulder). Leaving the Stamford, after a hue-mungus seafood buffet banquette. Lyn, Bob, Ken and Mick (all still stuffed) departed on the early flight to Brisbane. John, Jason ,Vicki and Boris joined us at Sydney (Vicki & Boris Virgin flyers had to carry their max 20Kg baggage, while the rest of us Qantas flyers 32kg baggage checked all the way to Santo) sucked in guys on those more expensive flights. Steve flew from Mackay and met the group in Brisbane. Some important duty fee booze shopping and we were off. The flight to Santo been quite uneventful except for running out of red wine, although replenished during the 1hr stop-over in Honiara. Arriving to a hot wet Santo and then to a steamy Deco Stop Lodge (fantastic) greeted by the ever bubbling Cathie we quickly settled into or rooms but more importantly the POOL overlooking Santo from its high perch.

Diving schedule was tough, 0830 pickup to the Coolidge, then 1430 Coolidge and then 1800 Coolidge by night, the next day the same, then some relief a 2 dive Coolidge day, the following day Cathy's Reef dive, blue hole snorkel, and some cultural visits.

 Last day eggs benedict's breakfast farewell to enthusiastic Cathie Deco Stop Lodge, Allen Power, Alfred, Tony, Lionel and Tumara Allen Power Diving. Bye to Santo and 8 litres of good spirits and 1 Cointreau missing, accidentally left in the bus, ROBERT Heritage Tours.

Lyn's Quicky was very good fun, excellent wreck diving, lovely food, brilliant company, and a gorgeous rest