Ok. So today deserved a blog all on its own…

WOW WOW WOW

What an incredible day!!!

This morning we went diving! I was a bit apprehensive but we were soon out on the water and I couldn't wait to jump in! Before we even reached the first dive site we saw a few dolphins; both bottlenose and humpback. We were getting ready to jump in but then they were gone. But hey-its my first day out on the water-I still have time!

The first dive I sat out and the researcher-Andrea and phd student (Chris) went down (as it was my first dive here and about 40m so not an easy dive). But it was good as just sat on the boat in the sun chatting to Doug (the skipper).

Anyway, off we went to the next site but WAIT we saw a manta ray in the water!! So we all jumped out and OH. MY. GOSH. It was simply incredible!! It was a Giant Manta Ray and had a wingspan of between 4 and 5 metres!! :o It was beautiful!

THEN we were looking for whale sharks (it was so sweet they were so determined to find me one!) and they spotted one! They let me jump in first to swim with it but all I could do when I saw it was squeal and then look up and say

'HOLY CRAP!'

And they were like swim swim! But seriously if you didn't know these things were harmless you would power in the other direction!! Between 6 and 10 metres long these fish are MASSIVE!

I was just in AWE; this was incredible. Here I was snorkeling along so close to this magnificent creature I could have easily reached out and touched it and at times had to swim faster so the tail wouldn't whack me! :o THEN I looked over at Chris and instead I see another even BIGGER (about 8m!!) whale shark headed towards me!! They have THE most massive mouths!! I seriously don't even know what to say-it was breath taking. We even saw a third! Wow.

AND I HADNT EVEN DIVED YET!!! :o

So then we went to the dive site which was a really gentle one apparently but I was still a bit worried! However I managed to get down without any major-ear-hiccups which is awesome!!! And check this; I dove in my bord shorts and a sun top!! :D hehe gotta love the tropical waters!

AND it was an amazing dive!! I just felt so relaxed and HAPPY! J We even saw a white tipped shark, a blotched ray and an eel as well as bucket loads of fish!!! Amazing.

So ye-we got back and cleaned the boat and were back in the office just after 2. Back at the computer but I really don't care. That was simply awesome.

All in a days work! :P

AH I'm just so stoked; what a beautiful day! :D

The above was written yesterday...also had a very good night last night! It was some Scottish dudes birthday who knows everyone so massive gathering/party thing at the local hotel! It was a bit scary at first as I knew no one but the two guys I went with but soon got chatting! Met some really cool people including someone from SHROPSHIRE!! I know right?! But it was good as practically the whole town was out so some familiar faces from now on! :D Oh and discovered the local Mozambiquan rum… It was interesting! :P Na it was good actually.

Anyway, this morning went diving which was super cool! To a place called Manta Reef-even though there weren't any mantas-but it was just awesome! Saw some cool fish; SO many fish! And just love it being under the water; brilliant. It was also my first deep dive-like 25m which was cool PLUS I didn't even have too many issues with my ears getting down, they were great in fact! Just a few issues with my buoyancy-kept floating up! But it's all good; had a fantastic morning!

Might be going out again tonight too but we shall see! I will also be going to a yoga class with Lisa-one of the girls I met on the bus up here and have hung out with her a bit-she's pretty cool! J

Anyway, I'm waiting for the internet as REALLY not in the mood for working to be honest… :S

And could do with some food actually…hmm..

SO I must do some work or actually I guess I could start reading my massive manual (how am I going to carry that round for the rest of my trip!?) for my diving Advanced course next week! :S

(And just a note-Dad I should have got you to bring my flippers when you were here as 90% of my time left I need them-that was silly of me! :S)

So I will write in probably a week or so and really do my best to put some photos up…

Cheers people!

And remember-stay happy; keep living, laughing and loving. :D