recognise the miracles in your life, and be one...

Monday afternoon I went for a second dive with the couple I had dived with the day before. It started off slowly and surely and before long, we had gone down to a depth of 10m. This was such a wonderful achievement for them and I was so honored to be a part of their experience. It was incredibly rewarding. A highlight was that we saw a flounder which looks like it was a fish that had been sat on by a fat person with two googley eyes on top!

Tuesday I enjoyed a day off and was so fortunate to squeeze into a space in the spa for a massage. I thought I would lash out and treat myself before I left, and I am so glad that I did. I like my massages very firm and what I got was a perfect combination of both firm, and relaxing. I could have fallen asleep as all the pains and aches were soothed away. As I received the massage in an outdoor villa, it began to rain which just added to the tranquility. It was bliss.

Wednesday morning I went on my first discovery dive. This is where it is a staff only trip and we go to a new destination and scope out the place to create a new dive site for guests. The first site we went to was in Raa Atoll. This site was deep, beyond 30m and consisted of to Tila’s (pinnacles). I am proud to say that this was the best dive site that I have had in the Maldives. We had everything from the small gorgeous nudibranches - the best I have seen; right up to the big stuff like a Napoleon fish, Tuna’s hunting smaller fish, Eagle ray’s, beautiful soft and hard corals, scorpion fish and everything in between. It was so diverse. I loved being able to explore here. Between dives we played music and went to our next stop in our atoll, Baa Atoll. It was a place where the recreation team have been for a fishing trip, however never catch anything, so they believe that there are sharks as there is a channel = strong currents, which usually equals sharks. We saw an Eagle ray and all explore together as one big team. It wasn’t great, not much to look at along the reef, but then one of the guys took off and starting to signal to us there was a shark. We all swam at light speed to hopefully catch a glance... Before long we all saw the giant 2+ meter nurse shark hiding under a coral formation. Instantly I thought, it is far more threatened by us, then we should ever be of them. We took lots of photos through every corner we could before ending or dive. What a great morning of diving.

When we got back to the resort, I got off the boat I had my lovely new diver friends looking for me to join them for lunch. We enjoyed the afternoon eating delicious meals at Blu beach and enjoying some sun and salt water and lots of great conversation. Later that evening I was invited to join for dinner which was such a delightful treat. The spoils have been continuing and I have just been overflowing with joy and gratitude. We enjoyed the Bollywood inspired buffet dinner at Cafe Landaa where the two Aussie’s also joined us. The staff danced and we ate... and ate... and ate. I have not been so full since I lived in Italy, where after a family meal it would feel like the skin covering my stomach was about to burst open. We then went on to enjoy a sheesha at Al Barakat restaurant before retiring for the evening.

The following day I sadly bid my new friends farewell, and was given a very heartfelt handwritten note. I just love these to pieces. Thursday and friday saw me completing more staff courses. It is quite a juggling act trying to keep everyone in order and co-ordinating who does what and how many assistants I need when each member is progressing at a different level. It is very interesting to learn how to manage these aspects of diving.

Saturday morning before I got out of bed, I gave thanks for all the wonderful things in my life and for all the wonderful gifts I had recieved. The events which have put me where I am, whether they were good or bad. I was confused about what to do next, and I asked to be given signs through the day, that I would recognize which direction I should be heading.  I asked for them to be not too painful, as usually I find it is through hardship, we find the light. I had been so indecisive through the week, not yet booked my flight home, as I just couldn't help but shake this feeling that I was waiting for something to intervene. 

First thing that morning, I was asked to conduct swimming lessons with a guest who was slightly lacking confidence in the water. We met at the guest pool and we hit it off immediately. We got talking and swimming, and talking and swimming. It was so important that we built a relationship on trust before we even got into the hard stuff and before long it was blossoming into a kind friendship. I love recognizing a kindred soul in another. I was booked again for the following morning and asked to join for breakfast before we began the lesson. Since arriving, I have wanted to enjoy breakfast at the Cafe more than any of the other outlets. Everyone raves about the food and variety and I was jumping with joy that I had this invitation extended to me.

In the afternoon it was quiet at the dive centre and I signed up a new arrival family for diving. The mother and youngest daughter stayed at the centre while the father and two elder kids went for a dive. I started chatting to the mother and of course was smitten with the gorgeous little 2 year old girl. The mother was from Jamaica and we discussed the Caribbean and how she could imagine me living there for a very long time and enjoying the laid back lifestyle. She also mentioned about the Bahamas having great turtle rehabilitation programs and with not another word, I was sold! Mexico / Caribbean is where I want to be next.

In the afternoon, I hit some stormy water (metaphorically) and was very unhappy. Someone was being unreasonably difficult. Thankfully, I remembered the signs which I asked for that morning, and instead of completely loosing my cool, I thanked for the sign, and sucked it up. When I got home that night, I immediately booked my flight home. It was the push I needed, a good reminder of why I am doing what I am doing, who I should be aligning myself with and where I should be heading. Home is ten days, I can’t believe it! But as I have been told by several wonderful people this week, this is just the beginning for me; and this, I believe.

Sunday morning I met my lovely new friend at the cafe and enjoyed one, if not the very best breakfast I have ever had. I went straight for the cheese and cold cut meats, dolmades and hummus. I then had pastries, eggs, REAL bacon (not fake-on aka turkey bacon) fresh juice, coffee and so much more. The food was definitely one thing, the company and the conversation was another. I say this more and more often, the company which I share and the friends that I have made while being here, have been so rewarding and I learn and grow so much from each person that I meet. This wonderful woman made me miss my mummy, but also feel so much thanks for all that she does for me. Marce is going to get one great big hug when I get home (and T-dog too!) AKA Mum and Dad. After our wonderful breakfast date, we hit the pool and made some wonderful progress. Refining technique, and improving nearly 100% on the day before. I was incredibly proud of her, and just quietly, myself. Booked again for Monday afternoon, I do look forward to the leaps and bounds we will make again tomorrow.

Before leaving the guest pool, I met a very beautiful mother and her 2 year old son. After giggling and splashing in the water her gorgeous boy, we spoke about swimming and diving and then moved onto resorts and her previous holidays. She mentioned how she used to always holiday in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, and mentioned to me that they do a nice caring for turtles over there! Two complete strangers in two days! Things were starting to become pretty clear on where I should be heading next. How wonderful!

Sunday (today) evening, after a long nearly 12 hour day, all I wanted to do was sleep. My mind was so busy with so many thoughts, laying down and writing my blog and pottering about has been a good start in winding down.

Tomorrow morning, I have a late start thank goodness, my first half day since being here. If my mind keeps me from sleeping early tonight, at least I should have a late sleep in tomorrow.

Whether you speak to the universe, pray to God, or wish upon stars....  When I give thanks, ask for help, or request signs to help guide me; I get them, and you will to. The hardest part is being able to recognize them. They will never come in way in which you would expect, and perhaps many of the time they go unnoticed. I am so thankful that I was able to recognise in the day or two following when I had requested some guidance, I was reminded of why I chose to follow this lifestyle, the type of people I should be aligning myself with, and those I should not. I was given guidance that perhaps the Caribbean is the place that aligns with my true intentions. 

Many things I had realisations on this week, and I am so glad that they were not too painful.  I've realised that it is a strong emotion - usually a negative one, that propels us and pushes us in the direction we need to go. I've experienced both pain and pleasure this week, but how else do we truly appreciate the light without experiencing the dark? 

We live in a word of duality, and I always refer to one of my favorite quotes when times are hard; "It is always the darkest before the dawn".

Recognise the miracles in your life, and be one.

Lots of love, Kassie