Always start with the first step
Every once in a while you need to do something crazy and step out of your comfort zone. For us, it’s time to do just that. Therefore, we decide to go Winter diving not in the cold waters of the Arctic but in the warm winter sun of the Red Sea. Off to new horizons!
We are back for our favorite past time: Diving with the Atlantic’s apex predators in the polar ocean between Skjervoy and Hammerfest. And it is possibly the best trip, yet.
Out boat is rocking in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. All eyes are fixed on the surface. We have been adrift on the open Ocean for hours. Finally, the relieving call: “Shark!”. A dark fin circles the boat as we jump. Onto a fantastic blue shark adventure.
After a tough year of work with few breaks, we finally manage to take our summer vacation – in October. We are set to go diving with some really big fishes. And what better place to go than to Norway’s arctic region.
Happiness and melancholy can be found in close together. The former can be found at a parking garage at Manila Airport when arriving at 4:55 on our favorite flight Cebu Pacific 5J679 from Shanghai. The latter can be found in a bathroom stall at the very same airport when changing back sandles into sneakers.
However, this weekend was about something different. This weekend was about celebrating the awesomeness of being able to hop to the Philippines for a weekend to go diving. Yes, we can!
Continue reading “Diving Weekend in the Philippines – Yes we can”
At 6m depth, I turn around and see her. Michi is drifing on the bottom, not breathing. Three strong kicks, I am with her, grab her and bring her up to the surface. Mask off, regulator off and start rescue breathing.
Luckily, this is just a scenario in the Rescue Diver course and Michi is fine (exept for some bruises and some water in the lungs from my not yet perfect rescue attempts).
We are back at Malapascue for an intense dive training session with Thresher Shark Divers.
Here is the full story.
Majestic creatures. Here is a video from the second dive at Koh Bon on April 5th. Continue reading “Manta Ray at Koh Bon”
The Manta Ray glides above us, then circles around. We can almost touch it as it gently lifts its wing and drifts into the void of the Andaman Sea. Its our third sighting in two dives. These waters are teeming with life, from the giant Manta Rays to small boxer shrimps and sea horses. All this has been made possible by a diving accident that dispelled Michi to the deck of the Somboon 4.
5.35am, at 28m under water. Two dark shadows are circling overhead. Sharks! Thresher Sharks. They drift by gracefully with their long tail fin (also they have a slightly retarded look in their face). The water temperature is 27°C, even at this depth. Continue reading “Under the Sea – Diving in Malapascua”