I was delighted to see our two new members, Devon and Justin, return for their second consecutive Bubbles of Hope trip! It brought me so much joy to watch them dive back into the experience, and I couldn’t be more pleased that the group is offering them the chance to dive more regularly than they’ve ever had the opportunity to before. It’s amazing to see how these trips are not only reconnecting them with the wonders of the underwater world, but also allowing them to grow and deepen their appreciation for it with each dive.
I was also accompanied by Mischa, who brought along her 10-year-old brother, eager to experience the wonders of the ocean. It was a truly memorable moment when he took his first breath underwater, his excitement and curiosity shining through as he plunged into the sea for the very first time. Seeing the joy in his eyes reminded me of the powerful connection we all share with the underwater world. There’s something incredibly inspiring about introducing people to the beauty of the ocean and the exhilarating world of diving.
The Discover Scuba Diving Experience is designed to be taken by people who have never done any scuba diving but would like to know what it feels like before committing to the learning and certification courses. One of Scuba Junkie’s PADI Professionals Zoe took him aside while we were gearing up for our cleanup and explained some of the basic dive gear, how to use it, and went over some of the skills they would do in the water.
We were already underwater by the time he did his first backroll without hesitation; quite an impressive feat! This entry into the water is symbolic of his first milestone as a new scuba diver. Zoe took him to the very shallow waters in which he could easily stand up to get him comfortable breathing in the regulator and performing some simple skills. Maybe a Bubbles of Hope participator in the making!
The four of us led by Jason and Alex were busy picking up plastic packaging, plastic cups, and of course, plastic bottles. Two big mesh bags were filled up within 30 minutes! We were diving in the Sapi House Reef which is our favourite spot to find the most trash, however, I’ve definitely noticed a reduction; where there used to be piles and piles of bottles, there is now scattered trash buried in the sand every few meters. Not sure if this was just because the current washed out the rest or if we headed in a different direction, but overall the dive site seemed more cleared up.
Jason headed up first with Devon, and the rest of us came back up later. As soon as we surfaced, they told us that a moray eel who had been residing in one of the plastic bottles had slithered out once on the boat, and had fled back to the safety of the water. This doesn’t happen very often, and we always remind ourselves during the briefing to shake out any bottles, however it’s almost inevitable to not get the odd critter here and there – although this will be the first time I ever hear of a moray eel sneak out!
After an exhilarating dive around the pristine waters at the back of Sapi Island, where Mischa’s brother also had the chance to explore the vibrant marine life, we enjoyed – as always – a delicious, well-deserved lunch. The warm sun and the peaceful rhythm of the waves seemed to recharge us. As we made our way back to the mainland, we were tired but fulfilled, knowing that once again, we had managed to contribute just another little droplet to a sea of change, continuing our journey toward making a lasting impact, one step at a time.
‘Til the next one! With the promise of more adventures, more impact, and more unforgettable moments waiting just around the corner.
Written by Julia
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