The Slow And Painful Learning Process

Another View from The Hammock

McDonald's Boat

The course started with a man called Bola rocking up to where I was chilling one evening, handing me a PADI handbook and asking me to complete sections 1 to 3 before I started the actual course in two days time. I assured him I would then proceed to get drunk with Mark and Margaret on Fiji Bitter, the section of my brain that contained the information on which sections I was meant to complete being semi destroyed. The next day I began my studies hoping that I'd remembered which bits to do.

A Bit Of Nananu-I-Ra

Obligtory Hammock Photo

I haven't had to learn anything out of a book for over ten years let alone do tests, by the end of it my brain was fried and my highlighter pen had run out. I only had it for drawing on maps, education wasn't part of the deal and clearly it had issues with it but that was the boring bit over with. Jiorji was my instructor, a good bloke who greeted me with the words, "Bula bula! Welcome to sunshine Fiji!" I glanced back at the drizzle. Right.

The View From The Aptly Named Sunset Point

Mark And Margaret

After a few confined water dives and practising skills I hope I never have to use such as losing my regulator or mask or my air running out (come on, how much practise can prepare you for that kind of panic??) we headed out one morning to the Bligh Waters for my first open water dive. How exciting?

written by  Koala Bear on May 16, 2008 from Nananu-I-Ra, Fiji
from the travel blog: Learning To Dive Fiji Style
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