Tag Archives: PADI

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Feeling Lucky in Malta

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Once in a while the present can hit you right in the chest and you recognize instantly how amazing this very moment is. This week in Malta has been exactly like that.

On Land

The country of Malta is actually three inhabited islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. I skip over the main island of Malta and head straight to Gozo, the smaller and more laidback option. Gozo is known for being the location of many films and TV shows: Parts of Troy, Game of Thrones, and Brad and Angelina’s new movie By The Sea were all filmed here. There’s a very distinctive landscape with rocky limestone cliffs, which are reflected in the scenery under the water as well. It’s evident the cities here were built long ago because the streets are impossibly small and difficult to navigate. Vehicles constantly have to pull over to allow oncoming traffic to pass and I’m still in awe that busses can fit around even the tiniest street corners. Not to mention all the roads look the same and curve in confusing directions. One night I spend a full hour walking in circles trying to navigate the 1km from the town square back to the guesthouse. Quite an adventure!

Though the island is small, the busses run so infrequently that I learn it’s actually better to walk the 2.5km to the dive shop in the morning than to try to navigate the bus schedule.

View of my daily morning commute — not too bad!

Marsalforn, where my dive shop is located

Actually one of the larger sized roads in Gozo

 

Yes, this is a two-way street and yes, busses drive through here

 



Under Water

There’s lots to explore on the island, but my sole intention is diving so I spend five of the six days here underwater – exactly where I’m happiest! It’s my first time diving in Europe and it’s very different than anywhere else I’ve been so far. Continue reading →

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SE Asia Chronicles: Trading Shoes for Fins

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“Have you ever been scuba diving?”
“No.”
“Do you want to try?”
“Sure.”
“My Lonely Planet book says this island in Malaysia is one of the cheapest places to take a certification course.”
“OK, let’s go.”

If only all life-changing decisions were made this easily and arbitrarily.

We thought the night bus would bring us directly to Kuala Besut where we could catch the morning jetty to the island. But of course that would be much too easy. Instead the bus drops J and I off on the side of the road at 4 am. It’s pitch black and we have no idea where we are. Luckily, a man with a “taxi” (see: unidentified vehicle) is waiting to take us the rest of the way. How did he know we were coming? It’s better not to ask these questions in Southeast Asia. After a brief half-hearted negotiation on the fare — I did mention it was 4 am, right? — we hop in. He does take us to the correct destination and four hours and a jetty ride later, we arrive: Pulau Perhentian.

Perhentian Map

Map of Pulau Perhentian and dive sites (Photo credit: Julia Thompson)

Continue reading →