New Zealand conjures up many images. A country steeped in tribal history and culture, it makes me think of the Haka and fierce warriors, beautiful countryside and stunning vistas. It also conjures up images of sheep, snow and rain as opposed to sunshine, beaches and tropical warm waters ideal for someone who is adverse to being A Bit Nippy to learn to scuba dive in.

So I went to Fiji for 11 days.

Over 300 islands make up Fiji. Places like the Yasawas and Robinson Crusoe island are where the backpackers flood to but I just wanted a quiet time. Oh come on, I'm Mid-To-Late-Twenties, the idea of sitting on my arse and reading a book appeals to me now and anyways I didn't want any alcohol related distractions while I was learning to dive. I'd booked a dorm room at McDonalds Beach Cottages on Nananu-I-Ra island, sort of at the top of the Viti Levu (the main island), where the biggest inconvenience is waiting for your hammock to swing the right way so you can reach your beer.

Andy The Cab Driver

I digress. *wipes chops*

Arriving At Nananu-I-Ra

No, Mark Isn't Nekkid In This Photo

After the drive and a 15 minute boat ride I checked into McDonalds, introduced myself to Mark and Margaret who were also staying there, got a beer and as I sat down the heavens opened with that kind of warm, torrential rain you only find in the tropics.

written by  Claire on May 13, 2008 from Nandi, Fiji
from the travel blog: Learning To Dive Fiji Style
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Another View from The Hammock

McDonald's Boat

The course started with a man called Bola rocking up to where I was chilling one evening, handing me a PADI handbook and asking me to complete sections 1 to 3 before I started the actual course in two days time. I assured him I would then proceed to get drunk with Mark and Margaret on Fiji Bitter, the section of my brain that contained the information on which sections I was meant to complete being semi destroyed. The next day I began my studies hoping that I'd remembered which bits to do.

A Bit Of Nananu-I-Ra

Obligtory Hammock Photo

I haven't had to learn anything out of a book for over ten years let alone do tests, by the end of it my brain was fried and my highlighter pen had run out. I only had it for drawing on maps, education wasn't part of the deal and clearly it had issues with it but that was the boring bit over with. Jiorji was my instructor, a good bloke who greeted me with the words, "Bula bula! Welcome to sunshine Fiji!" I glanced back at the drizzle. Right.

The View From The Aptly Named Sunset Point

Mark And Margaret

After a few confined water dives and practising skills I hope I never have to use such as losing my regulator or mask or my air running out (come on, how much practise can prepare you for that kind of panic??) we headed out one morning to the Bligh Waters for my first open water dive. How exciting?

written by  Claire on May 16, 2008 from Nananu-I-Ra, Fiji
from the travel blog: Learning To Dive Fiji Style
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The Dive Boat

Jiorji And A Fat, Red Me

The Bligh Waters are a stunning place to learn to dive though, we saw some of the coolest things. After a day off we went back out to finish my course then I went out on my certified dive. Over the course of all my dives we saw Murray eels, heaps of fish and coral, barracudas, a white tipped reef shark, a sea snake and a couple of lion fish. Two years in the land of Things That Can Poison You Or Tear You Limb From Limb taught me nothing, I still followed the sea snake for a photo op. I think they're pretty venomous, they just don't care enough to bite you is all. Lion fish are poisonous too. I'm not sure if you have to actually suck them in order to die or if they just have to take a fancy to your extremities. I'll look it up and let you know.

Sea Snake

Lion Fish

I fucking love diving so much, seriously, its amazing. It's a whole different world, I can't wait to start diving in other parts of the world and to do some more courses. It ain't cheap but hey, gotta have a hobby apart from travel and what two hobbies go better together than travel and diving? Apart from drinking and shagging but that aside.

Anyway, its official. Finally I'm a diver.

And not just of the muff variety.

Diver!