« How to win @ Facebook games | Main | Graduation Trip Post #1a - Diving Photos Part 1 »
Graduation Trip Post #1 - Diving @ the Great Barrier Reef
By arzhou | March 9, 2009
Ok, finally decided to get of my butt and clear the backlog of blogposts I was suppose to do for my graduation trip. It was a nice 7 week break after finishing up FYP and all.
Sunset @ the Great Barrier Reef
The full trip spanned both Australia and New Zealand. Me and Sipei first headed down to Cairns to dive the great barrier reef. For divers its probably one of the MUST dive locations in the world. And frankly it did not dissappoint, the vibrancy of colours, the clarity underwater, reefs teeming with wildlife. In fact you can do snorkelling and already see most of the good stuff. Diving just allows you to get much closer.
Went with the company called Pro Dive Cairns, took up the 3D2N live aboard package. That means for 3D2N you stay on a boat and just eat, sleep and dive. Really simple life yea?
Briefing just before each dive by the DM
Diving equipment
I will really recommend this company for those who wish to dive the Great Barrier Reef in the future. The staff are professional, and the food is GOOD. Lucy the onboard chef really is good at cooking! (And thanks for the curry recipe!)
Some highlights from the dive:
1) Swimming with a school of 30+ bumphead parrotfish. Each fish itself is 1.5+ metres long. This was during a morning dive and the entire school was asleep… until our bubbles “woke” them up
2) Not being able to find Brian (chestnutties will also recall “brian” but this is a different one). Brian is a 100 year old turtle who is a regular feature… but we were unable to find him…. because we got lost during out night dive.
3) Diving without the guidance of an instructor for the first time, being independent sure allowed me to put into practice what I learnt and become more aware of my surroundings. This will make me a better diver in the future.
4) Trying out underwater photography for the first time. Underwater pictures will be in a seperate post.
5) Most importantly is meeting fellow divers who enjoy it and are willing to share all their experiences. Learnt about more dive spots.
With Iggy and Noelia
Allison!
Dion!
Oh yes one more thing I learnt, after spending so long on a live aboard, when you reach dry land you will feel rather dazed esp once you hit the showers. It will feel as if you are floating and the world is swaying. Guess it is because your body has gotten used to the swaying of the boat. Turns out the easiest cure for this is ALCOHOL! Since alcohol makes you all tipsy, drinking it when you are tipsy to begin with will make it all stable again! Minus multiply by minus gives you plus!
Jagger Bombs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Partying with fellow divers!
Topics: My Life Story, Travels |
March 9th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
if only i can turn back the time and have a graduation trip.. sad~
spoon’s last blog post..Lyved 9 ways you can take advantage of this terrible economy
March 9th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
[...] the original here: Graduation Trip Post #1 - Diving @ the Great Barrier Reef | arzhou.com Leave a [...]
March 21st, 2009 at 12:48 pm
[...] Graduation Trip Post #1 - Diving @ the Great Barrier Reef [...]