This day was going to be epic but we didn’t realise how epic it possibly could be!…

After being told I shouldn’t dive because I struggle with flying, I can’t equalise, meant I wasn’t feeling optimistic but I was determined to try and do it, gave up on the dream of being certified divers but was set on having a go. Kieran had to have his ears syringed a week before so we wasn’t sure if he was going to have much luck either, but glum we headed into a local tourist Center in town and started going through our options…far to many, all offering the same thing maybe just a slightly different vessel or different location out on the reef, making it really had to choose, one of the guys came over and pretty much dumbed it down for us on which was the better suited for us, he asked if we suffered with flying and I smartly said…sometimes…instead of all the time, without hesitation he placed down a flyer for ocean freedom and said this is the one for you, it included two locations on the reef, all equipment for snorkling and also included a free dive!, worked out perfectly because if we couldn’t do it it’s not as much of a blow, we looked at the weather and best days and all agreed Sunday was the best for being calm and sunny. 
So again we had to wake up at stupid o’clock  and be at the marina by 7:15am at the marina for check in.

We arrived and it’s just like the check in desks at the airport , checked in and got our boarding passes, 

  
we were also given a form to fill in, yes I lied, as it asks for you to have a medical referral if you suffer from certain things, such as  problems with your ears, I don’t recommend doing that,  but I know myself and I’m not stupid enough to suffer if my ears hurt, il just come back up.

We got onboard and immediately all the crew were friendly.

Got to sit on the back on the way out…

   
   
As we headed out we had pastries and drinks, and then everyone that was diving that day was gathered up for a talk in the bar area, 

All the talk was a little daunting , so much to take in, most of what she said was as she put “just for the curious” and was reassured that all we need to do and remember was to breathe… We were put in groups of four and had to listen out for our number, we were with German twins! 

When we were called we were to proceed down to the back of the boat to get suited and booted!

We had time to start to head out on the glass bottom boat which as soon as you got on fish were all around, the guy driving the boat was so insightful and extremely passionate about the reef couldn’t of had a better guide.

He to.d us of the mimicking squid, that flattens his head down and bring all his tentacles to the back to look like a sting ray, and also mimics a sea snake by stretching out in front and behind and changing colour to black and white strip markings. Freaky!! 

   
 
As we headed in we were told we had plenty of time to have a go at snorkling, thought we may as well get wetsuits on ready for when we are called, with our limited timing we didn’t want to go to far so just had a bob around…

   
 
I waited and watched how they went about the dive, I certainly had mixed emotions about it all. More concerned at how my ears were going to be.

 
Then  it was time…  

Putting all the gear on was making it all more real and more daunting, just had to keep my cool. One by one we were lifted to our feet and pretty much carried to the back of the boat to take the plunge.

Felt like forever till my turn after kieran, I even had more weights added on!! I’d rather float thanks!… Haha so heavy!!…

I waddled with the Italian guy edging me closer, didn’t realise I was having to step/fall in to the water!! Thought there would be a lift! Haha, he was talking so quick I didn’t take in a word he said and after trying a few times to get his attention our dive instructor that was already in the water shouted to me “don’t worry il sort you out when you get down”… Argghhhh!!… 

All I got from him was right hold you mask and take a step, as I slowly did not sure if the weight of me took me or weather it was a kind bump by the guy but I was in! 

Didn’t start off to great as when I fell my mask just lifted and filled with water, which made me panic , I was sinking and I couldn’t bloody see!

If it wasn’t for how lovely the female dive instructor we had I think I may have got out,for the life of me I can’t remember her name, but she calmed me and indicated to rise back to the top, as we got there she produced a smaller mask that fitted perfectly. Now time to join the others.

As it was an intro dive we had to hold her hand at all times, which we were more then happy with, especially as you try mastering breathing and adjusting mask and the oxygen mouth piece. 

I’m afraid to say I don’t have many photos of the actual dive, one because I nearly forgot entirely because I was to busy enjoying it myself but two I filmed as much as I could, I hope to take snippets from the film but with out my Mac it’s pretty much impossible….

   
    
    
 
  
Got to swim with nemos!! ( clown fish) touch sea cucumbers that really are rubbery, and stroke some coral that felt like fur in water, it was amazing the experience but also that we both were fine and managed to dive to 6meteres!! Very proud of us both.

Next was feeding time which from the adrenaline we needed!… 

Best view to eat your lunch!!

  
 Special boy was very hungry…
The views from the boat are just amazing, again the camera is brilliant but no photo captures the true beauty you see through your eyes…
   
   
Giant bat fish were at the back of the boat they enjoyed everyone’s feet, thought they were going to be fed…

  
Next stop wasn’t to far from where we were, as the tide goes out an island is created, a lot shallower than where we had been…

  
All the dark patches you can see are coral, and this was our play zone, along with the island, 

We decided that because it was shallower we would just stick to snorkling and try our luck!!…

It payed off, unfortunately we only filmed, but we not only found a reef shark in the first 5minuets of being in but it swam out from the cove and was able to follow till it sped off, and no joke a few minuets later as I was watching a giant clam another larger one swam underneath us!! We followed that until he too sped off into the distance, the video other than kieran drowning me is brilliant!! Again we’d like to take pictures from our footage when we get home but here’s a few snaps from our snorkel to the island…

   

  
    
   
 
This is the same type of coral we touched down on our dive…

 
Here’s a few fishes…  
    
   
We then beached ourselves on this horrible island ;)… I joke it’s beautiful..

   
    
 
Even had our own birds?!…

  
One of the guide brought over to show us a corn shell…

  
we recognised it but then was told this little guy is a bastard… Considering the other week we were watching and playing with one we were keen to know why… Well …They have a long needle that they stick out , (we thought that was its maneuverer/leg) big mistake! they  use this to poison anypart of you its likes, i.e. your nervous system! Paralysing you! We will never play with a shell again!!! Haha!..

We then headed back in one last time !…

   
    
    
    
 
Giant puffer !!!…

   

That was it!! Our day was fantastic and certainly made us hungry for diving!

We were awarded certificates for our intro dive, and it only felt right to have a picture with our fab instructor.