Getting my diving certification - Let loose in the ocean - Join me on my journey to go restore coral reefs.

And then, after all my mishaps during the lesson in the pool, they let me loose in the ocean...

Suddenly there is a current, so much space, fishes, an octopus, more diver friends, sea cucumbers, is shipwreck, flashy air bubbles, plants waving at me, my diving instructor waving at me, what is he trying to say? My air supply? 2 hands and 4 fingers: 140 bar, oops I am floating up. Still not a professional at keeping my buoyancy in check, but I'll get there one day.

During the ocean lessons I had some more issues with my mask, or, my tiny head. Though we thought we had selected a mask that before had served me well, my diving instructor said he saw tiny bubbles of air coming from around my face. Meaning that air was leaving my mask and water was slowly creeping in. After the last dive we tried a few more masks on dry ground that need to be tested underwater soon. That way I can select a good mask for me, buy it for myself and be done with this issue once and for all.

The last dive actually wasn't supposed to be the last one that day, but the mission was aborted due to not the best visibility in the water but mostly due to my issues with the mask. I felt really sorry for we had taken along another diver who was looking forward to a second dive. But after a 20 second talk everybody agreeingly went back to shore.
I was surprised by how relaxed and understanding they were. I am not really used to this attitude. People had told me that the diving spirit is a different one, but it is a whole different thing to experience it for yourself.
The diver who joined us that day says diving is the best thing to balance a stressy life, it is better then therapy and the diving school becomes your family.

I am looking forward to get to know these people a little better and to buy my own mask!

My totally by chance found mission: to go volunteer in restoring coral reefs, has given quite a twist to my life! Next to my investigations about the reefs (see previous posts) I have started an online course in oceanography, joined a beach cleanup and found more force to adapt to a more sustainable life. And now, I am Padi Open Water Diving cerifified!!