3rd and fourth dives

The third dive, I equalized every second of the way down. We used the anchor rope as a guide. I reached the bottom with a breeze. I followed the instructor. He showed me a few pointers which I had gotten immediately. Later after the 3rd dive, he told me in front of everyone that I had improved 100%. Of course I am happy! I was able to move along side my instructor. I saw a few big flowery corals and of course it won’t be complete without the pesky blue fish.I saw an intriguing blue, green and yellow fluorescent fish. I witnessed up close and personal how nemo was trying to hide in his anemone. I saw his grumpy face too because we were hovering around his home. I was stopped dead on my tracks..oh well mid way in the water that is by a giant garoupa. It was lazing around on the sand at the bottom of the sea. It was a mind-blowing sight. We went to the 12 meter level and I have set my eyes on a lot of the wonderful creature of the sea. It was an exploration that I don’t want to end. I want it to go on forever. We break for lunch and dived again after that. Our final dive before the certification. We touched down nearly 15 meters deep. The final dive saw everyone following the instructor like a swarm of underwater bees..if there’s such a thing! I forgot to give a mention about my dive buddy. He was a good dive buddy. I am sea-ing him in a new light. He checked my equipment without fail everytime before a dive. When I look at the back, he was always nearby. He is a great dive buddy. I wouldn’t mind going for more dives with him in the near future. As we were moving together as a group there was this big boulder in front of us. It was incredible how we need to maneuver ourselves around it and that required skills! We did it with ease. I spotted a lion fish and I was puzzled as the instructor was signaling ‘danger’ to us. Later I found out that lion fish is 8 times more poisonous than scorpions. Hmm... Staggering revelation! I witnessed more nemos, flowery and brain(it looks it) corals and a swarm of yellow fish. More big beigy fish and of course pesky blue was always there. I was so relaxed and calm that I didn’t want to leave. Time stood still when you are underwater. Before I knew it, my buddy was signaling that he was low on air. We quickly informed the instructor and he made preparation to ascend. We had gone down nearly 15 meters deep and during ascending we had to stop at the 5 meter level to clear our system of any nitrogen build up. We stayed at the 5 meter level for 3 good minutes then only we fully ascended. I love the gloomy and calm feeling. I am addicted to this. Can’t wait to go for my first fun dive. I talked to Dean and he said that it’s good to get out from your routine and go do something like this. I remembered when we were in the tiny boat, rocking back and forth, I mention to Sam that I will do this because this is one of the 100 things to do before I die. Sam shushed me and asked me not to talk about dying especially in our condition then. It is funny remembering it now. He laughed when I reminded him about it. I am glad that I did it. It was fun and it is a sense of personal achievement to me. Alex was jokingly trying to scare me by kept on reminding me that if I found a ship wreck and at the window if I see a face pressed on the window paint, remember her and laugh. It made me chuckled every time I think about that but under water when you chuckle you forget to breathe so I was biting my lips not to laugh. The funny part was I kept thinking of the lyrics of I who have nothing. It’s a sad song until the lyrics goes “nose pressed against the window paint” imagine that. It’s kindda funny. Next mission- ship wrecks! Congratulations to me! I needed the diversion! It was a good one! Chao!

First and second dives

Yep! I had gone through it. It was a dive into an ocean of uncertainties and enigma. However it was magical and I didn’t realize where the courage came but before I know it I was taking the plunge into the ocean. Once in the water, all the seasickness fled and I was calmed and composed being swayed by the waves in a persistent lullaby. Once we descended into the ocean, I saw the corals up close and personal. I think I might have hurt some in the process of stabilizing myself. Thank god it was hard corals and they are a bit sturdy. They were brown in color. Our first dive was in the Japanese garden. The water was choppy and strong currents were pushing us out of balance even when we were kneeling on the sea ground. There were multi colored and reef fishes. It was amazing and I was stunt by the whole God’s creation. To be able to swim along side the fishes and other sea creatures was already mind boggling. The dive master pulled my hand forcing me to touch the anemone and it was nemo’s! It was an astounding feeling! I marveled at the pesky blue fish which was checking me out. He must be thinking, what is this giant thing swimming in my sea. I caught a glimpse of a sea urchin. It was quite big and the instructor had signaled to us ‘danger’ pointing at the urchin. Astonishing really! To be so close to this creature when you normally see them in National Geographic. We were in there for a good half an hour before the water became too choppy. The current was so strong that it kept pushing us farther. We had to ascend to the surface. It was a remarkable experience for a newbie like me. After lunch we proceeded with the second dive. I forgot to equalize and experienced a bad ear pain. It took a couple of descend attempts before I managed to go down to the 6 meter level. Only then I discovered that I was the only one at the bottom. I saw Sam and Lina on top of me. I wanted to wander off alone but then I remembered that I need to stick with my buddy. At that exact point of time he was trying to help Lina whom her partner had left her be. So I ended up playing around that area, looking at the corals and trying to catch the fish that crossed my path. I did that for quite awhile until the dive master signaled us to ascend. When we were in the apartment, my ears were still hurting. I guess when you don’t equalize at every meter, you put pressure to your ear drums and that caused the pain. Anyway, I had a really good night sleep that night, with the rocking lullaby of the waves and sea. Dreaming and hoping that the next two dives will be better.(picture: the beautiful but poisonous lion fish)