Learning to scuba dive was a goal I had from the very early planning stages of our trip. I really regretted that I did not learn before we went to the Galapagos for our honeymoon and I was determined to use the time during this trip to get certified and complete at least 25 dives. So far I have my PADI Open Water certification and my Advanced Open Water certification, and on January 23, 2010 I finished my 18th dive on Gili Air, Indonesia. So after diving in three countries and as many seas I am well on my way to achieving my goal.
The goal of learning to scuba dive falls under the “Challenge Ourselves Physically” section in our trip goals.[1] Scuba has been a physical challenge, but I have found the mental aspects just as challenging. Scuba requires a calm mind, relaxed breathing, and a total awareness of your body and equipment. All of this while trying to take in some of the most beautiful landscapes and sea creatures I have ever laid eyes on. I have had the great fortune on my limited number of dives to see 8-foot Bull sharks, Moray eels, spotted rays, and many giant yet graceful sea turtles. The most spectacular was on a dive off the coast of Gili Trawangan in Indonesia when I experienced a 9-foot manta ray gliding silently only 3 feet over my head. It was awe-inspiring.
What I often think about after one of these amazing dives is why did I not make the time to do this sooner? I had lots of reasonable excuses. I was too busy. It was expensive to do in the US. Where would I dive in Philly? But the important thing is that I have made the time now. And I have these amazing experiences and memories from it.
This leads me to our simple, yet powerful motto for this trip, “If not now, when?” I know it is a little late for New Year’s resolutions, but what personal goals have you put off that you can commit to making a reality in 2010? What does it take to start today?
[1] Yes, we do have written goals and objectives for the trip. They are even in PowerPoint, and yes, I am aware of how incredibly Type-A this is.
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SCUBA diving is one of my fears. I have a powerful fear of drowning at sea or of some ancient sea-dwelling monster pulling me beneath the waves. Irrational, or echoes of a past life? Who knows, but I should explore overcoming this fear. It looks beautiful and sounds like a ton of fun.
Congratulations on achieving this goal.
Keith- You are probably not aware of this, but I have been PADI certified for years. Unfortunately Deb discourages me from diving. Too bad because I enjoyed it. Deb got seasick on the dive boat during my dive. Just a reminder, No Flying for 24 hours after your last dive. Gar
Gar that is to bad. Amy doesn’t dive b/c she has trouble equalizing her ears, thankfully she also hasn’t gotten seasick when she comes on the dive boat to snorkel while I dive. Thankfully we have very few flights for the next few months so no worries there. Although the limits on going to high elevations kept us from going to Mt. Sinai while we were in Egypt.