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Hi everybody. Hope you're all well and not too stressed and running around madly trying to get ready for Crimbo! I'm now back from the Sunny Seychelles. (arrived back a day and a half before my luggage, but at least it did actually turn up!). The temperature is about 25 - 35 degrees C cooler here, but it's nice and snuggly wrapping up in fleecey jumpers (only wore one once in the Seychelles) and diving into a duvet, instead of laying on top of sheets struggling to sleep due to the heat!
So the GVI project was 10 weeks in total. After being ill and run down at the 5 week stage, following about 3 days in bed and lots of rest, I was pleased to get diving again a week later. A few volunteers left at the 5 week stage, to whom it was sad to say good bye, but a few more arrived for the final 5 weeks, including one hairdresser who for the price of 2 beers would give you a haircut - which was much needed and much appreciated by many of us, especially the guys.
Week 7 saw a drastic change in weather from the South East Trade Winds to the North West Monsoon. We had torrential rain and wind for a whole week. We hardly dived, but when we did, it was pretty challenging. The boat was bounced around like crazy, dives were aborted mid dive, and you'll see in the photos section some great photos with horizontal rain etc. Luckily after one crazy weather week, it settled into mostly overnight showers with mixed weather. We would still sometimes have beautiful sunny days, but often windy or showery days too.
With the routine becoming a bit on the monotonous side and not such good weather, I was delighted to be asked if I wanted to go to our satellite base, Curieuse island, for a second time. So for week 8, I grabbed this chance and was pleased to be castaway onto this tiny island. So we were doing beach walks to monitor nesting turtles and their tracks. We would also snorkel looking for young turtles, from which we would record varied data. Also, it was great to say hello to my friends the giant tortoises again.
Once returned to the main island, I continued to enjoy exploring Mahe and its beautiful beaches during week ends. Managed to find a couple of nice resorts with infinity pools, which we could visit for the day, so after living a very basic existence for a few months, it was lovely to enjoy a luxury day or two as we approached the end of the project.
After the project completed, my Swiss friend, Caroline and I spent 3 nights at a lovely little accommodation right on the beach. It was comparative luxury and a great relaxing time. I then spent 4 nights back in Beau Vallon doing a couple of days further diving. I completed my 'deep' and 'digital underwater photography' specialities, which was the completion of my 'Master Scuba Diver' qualification, the top of the recreational diving qualifications ladder. Then after a couple of quiet and relaxing days it was time for the long flight home.
So that's the end of a year of lots of travelling for me. I'll be writing a further blog in due course as a kind of summary or wrap up of the year. Meanwhile thank you to everybody for all your messages over the year, even if I didn't get to reply to them all while I was away. I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year. Bye for now and take care
Nicky x
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