How Diving Became My New Obsession

Quite a few people were shocked that I went on a diving vacation in the Philippines for Spring Break this year.  After my horrible experience in Myrtle Beach, even I never thought I would dive again.

As a recap, in 2011 I went diving in South Carolina with a few family friends.  The dive was horrendous.  The visibility was terrible, I didn't see much in terms of aquatic life, and I ended up with decompression sickness.  Apparently I couldn't read my depth gauge and I surfaced two or three times during my dive first dive (really bad) and went back in the water for a second dive (really, really bad) and lost my dive buddies.  I had a horrible bloody nose and once I got back to shore was sick and had some crazy hallucinations.  

I tried again in Honduras in 2013, but didn't love it.  Maybe because I didn't see a whale shark?

Anyway, I decided to listen to the advise of a few colleagues and go for my Advanced Open Water license because they PROMISED me I would feel more comfortable in the water and I would finally enjoy scuba diving.  

They were right.

Loving life on my morning shark dive

I was pretty nervous to start my course, but when I met my instructor I new I would be fine.  I got to work with Angus, a 6ft+ Scotsman (who looked more like a viking).  We knew that I'd be in good hands.  Once I was able to concentrate, I realized that I was lucky enough to be taking a course with the lead instructor at TSD. 

The course went well and I even ended up doing a night dive, entering the ocean when it looked like this outside:

And surfacing in the pitch black.  I loved it!  

Throughout my week on Malapascua I did a total of 17 dives.  I went to see the Threshers 4 times (and with a 4:30am call time that was impressive) and averaged around 3 dives a day.

Not the best picture, but I got to see several of these guys.  They were so cute!

Since I've gotten back to Shanghai, all I can think of is when I get to dive again.  So, I've already made plans to dive with sharks in Tampa. 

I'm also planning to continue my diving education, and am going back to Malapascua in October to complete my Rescue Diving course.  Woo!

Can't wait for another Shark Bite to celebrate my certification!

Way too excited to be diving.

How cute is this place??

 

I'm so glad I listened to everyones advice and cannot wait to get back in the water.  Maybe my next job will take me to somewhere tropical where I can teach scuba on the side.  Diving friends...who's with me??