I conquered my first big challenge of 2016! I am now, after 4 days of hard work, a certified open water diver!!

Not going to lie, I almost quit on day two! Day 1 was theory, all about understanding diving, pressure, equipment etc. After the first lesson I was like :| I didn't realise how dangerous diving actually was! I was still excited but nervous to get in the water. We started early the 2nd day at 8am and went into the pool. We had to learn more about our equipment how it works, safety checks etc and then complete different tasks in the pool wearing our equipment.

I found it quite strange to breath using the regulator underwater but I was getting use to it. I completed all the tasks we were given and was getting comfortable with the gear UNTIL... Until I was asked to flood my mask with water and empty it underwater. I had a go and it didn't go well. I had another go and still it was like I couldn't breath and I kept bolting back up to the surface. The lady was wicked and kept encouraging me to complete the task. I got to a point where I decided I didn't like diving and that I couldn't do the skill and that I would die in the sea if I went hahaa I was done! She said that we could leave the skill for now and try later on because I wouldn't be able to dive in the sea if I didn't do it. You can't just quickly swim back to the surface and sort out your mask because if you go to quickly your lungs can burst! Hahaa crazy.

So anyway, after class I went to practice the skill in the shallow part of the sea and submerged myself in the pool and I could do it. I worked on it for about 15 minutes until I felt confident with the water in my eyes and taking my mask off underwater.

The next day we had more theory and had to complete our test - which we passed. All I could think about was showing my instructor that I could clear the mask. Afternoon came and we got on the boat to go to the sea. We had to set up all out scuba gear by ourselves. She told me I would have to complete the tasks at the beach end and then if I did it we could dive and I would have to do it at 12m! I did it first time woo! I taught myself how to stay calm underwater so that definitely helped in the process.

The first 2 dives were amazing!! We saw lots of beautiful fish and coral and I did the mask clearing first time again - Yayy! The next day we had our 18m dives and I had to take off my mask and replace it underwater. I did it again.

I'm so happy that I didn't quit!! I've never quit before so that's what kept me going and now I am a diver and can dive anywhere in the world!! I can't wait to dive again! Such an awesome experience.

I treated myself to a fish and chip dinner after I passed hahaa ironic!

I booked a night boat to a different place and arrived at the ferry port to see the boat. The beds were thin mattresses on crates in the cargo bay. They all looked like refugees down there. Some how I ended up upstairs with a nice bunk bed and a pillow Hahaa angels on my side there. Check the photos for reference hahaha!

Got to my hostel and although it was called Dream Cat-Cher I didn't expect there to be cats around :| Lovely hostel thoughh with an amazing lady who ran it. Will tell you about my adventure in my next post :)

Peace

E