On my second day of scuba school, we did a few hours in the classroom learning more theory and then after lunch we went out for our second dive. Our second dive was at Shark Point where we saw SOOO many turtles. Probably 15-20. And they were HUGE. I tried to make an X shape with my body to measure myself up against the turtle and a few of them were bigger than me.
We also saw batfish, moray eels, triggerfish, clown fish and angelfish. No sharks, but we were only at 12m deep and I believe they were deeper.
For those scuba minded folks, we completed our regulator recovery, mask flood and clear, alternate air source and all surface skills.
On our third and final day, we began learning about using the RDP, along with our dive computer and compass. We did two dives that day, our first dives going down to 18m.
Our first dive was at Bio Rocks and was a shore entry just down the road from the dive shop. Walking barefoot down a dirt road with all the scuba gear isn’t the most comfortable walk I’ve ever done. We saw LOTS of moray eels. They are such mean looking suckers (maybe if I’d never seen The Little Mermaid, I wouldn’t have such a negative view towards them) and a few popped out from their hiding place and scared the willy out of me.
We also saw a bunch of lionfish, a sea snake and puffer fish. We completed our controlled emergency ascent and another mask clearing.
Our final dive of the day was at Bounty Wreck, where we completed my least favorite skill of scuba diving, the mask removal and replace. There’s just something about being 5m deep and not being able to see (I couldn’t open my eyes because of my contacts) and fumbling around to put your mask back on. It’s not fun.
All skills were completed successfully.
After our four dives, my total bottom time is now 02:40 (not counting Australia dives). I got a 100% on my final exam. Now, it’s not all that hard and maybe because I’m not working, but I took my test very seriously and really wanted to get every question right. HA! Mission accomplished I suppose.
More importantly, I’m now a PADI Certified Scuba Diver (up to 18m, but I’m going to get certified to 30m in Thailand)!! Yay!
(temporary PADI certification; dive group – Daniel, me & Christiane with our instructor Donna)
Side note, since I learned how to scuba dive in Indonesia, I learned everything using the metric system (meters v. feet; bars v. psi) and I think the metric system makes things so much simpler in terms of scuba diving.
Congrats on the PADI Beth. I’m now home so keeping up with y’alls travels and getting super jealous from my cold flat in Glasgow. Keep living the dream and I look forward to many more stories. Eilidh xxx
Beth, I come home from a very tiring day at the office. Grabbed the mail from the mailbox. And before I can reach my front door, I am greeted with so much color. And more than that I read the back of the postcard and it was from you. Young Lady you did not just make my day, but my week, month and even my season. It was so wonderful to hear from you that I called your dad immediately. I have been enjoying your blog, I do read it weekly and I am currently living life vicariously through you.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! On becoming certified. Welcome to my world. Do NOT hurry to get back home, enjoy every moment you are are away. But when you do return we will all have to get together and blow some bubbles. I believe I know a few manatees that would like to get to know you.
Be safe and be like an ocean creature, the sponge, absorb all you do.
Coach Brad
So glad you liked it! Thanks so much! I’m now an Advanced Adventurer 🙂 Loving all the diving. Thailand was my favorite diving so far!! Perhaps at some point along the way, I’ll do my deep water or shipwreck certification. Looking forward to a dive with you.