Aufwiedesehen

Time to say goodbye. We packed our bags and had dinner last night then spent the evening chatting.  I didn't want to go to bed as it meant we would be leaving.  Dave and I were the first to leave this morning and it felt sad to say goodbye.  Some new friends had got up early to say goodbye, if you are reading this, thank you, it meant a lot :-).  We then had our heavy cases loaded on the dingy!!! We then had to get on ourself without falling in the water.....we did it then giving and receiving lots of waves. A taxi took us to the airport so we were able to see some of the local lives.  The houses looked a bit like barracks in the area we passed through. For some reason we were surprised that the Maldivian's drive on the same side of the road of us!  Part of the journey included crossing the airport runway and a sign saying "Give way to aircrafts" - a little unsettling :-).  

We are now waiting to board the plane and looking forward to seeing the photos and videos.

More importantly we can't wait to get home and see the family and Kea (the dog) :-))).

Adrenaline High and soon to say Goodbye

Well where do I start, we dived under a jetty last night and were surrounded by sharks and sting rays. It was a frenzy :-).  Before leaving I was pretty apprehensive. Although I was worried about the sharks I was also concerned about the sting rays - I really didn't want to come down on one of those!!!  

So it's dark, we jump in with a little light from our torches! As we descend what do I see directly under me....a sting ray!! It was actually an amazing sight :-).  We then settle onto the sandy bottom and watch the sharks and rays feed.....I can not say how many times I have been privileged this week. To see such wonderful animals in their natural environment has been amazing. There were too many sharks and rays to count, they just kept on coming, and coming and coming. The first spot quitened down a little then we moved to about 5 metres of water and saw more and more and more.  I just can not put numbers to these!  Alton Towers will need to up their game to match thus adrenalin rush. It's a strange feeling of being scared initially, to being excited then to a calmness and really enjoying them go by.  The sharks were mainly nurse sharks however there were also some black tip reef sharks.  We all thought there was only one black tip reef sharp however watching back the video there were three at one time going across so there had to be more!!  At one time one of the nurse sharks knocked into Dave.  At one point I felt something hit my tank, while I was under the water I told myself it was a person, but I'm not so sure. I didn't want to think what was behind me!!!!!  One of the lads Heika (not sure if that's spelt right), was telling us today that he was laying in the sand with his hands out front and on his knees, as if he was doing press ups, one of the sharks went between his arms and knees and allowed him to stroke it!  No explanation will ever give the full picture of this experience! I do have video but it needs editing! 

This morning we have our last dive and again a great dive sharks again..white tip and grey reef sharks. A turtle, a flat worm and and and....... :-).  Then once again just as we think it can't get better the pièce de résistance was a large leopard shark laying on the reef edge!!!

It is sad to pack our dive kit up but we have had a fantastic time. We have met some lovely people and had some great dives :-). 

Living the dream!

Three dives so far today! The first dive Dave didn't want to do so I went off on my own. The others in our little group had also decided to stay in bed so I had the dive guide to myself, brilliant :-)). Not a great deal to see but saw a few nudibranks, small morays, turtle and a shark!!  Vis was a bit low but a pleasant dive with just two of us :-).  On return Dave was up and waiting for the dohni.......I thought it was lovely he was waiting for me to return but now I'm thinking it was because he wanted breakfast :-).

Second dive was a wreck dive which was lovely, again some nudibranks, blue dragon fish (I think that's what they are called), a moray in a tyre! Pipe fish, rock fish and other marine life that I can't remember but a lovely dive.  I think we also saw a large shrimp that was in the sand :-) 

Third dive.....what can I say!! We went back to the manta feeding station and were given another wonderful show........,.it is such a lovely feeling sitting on the sandy bottom while the mantas just cruise by :-).

We are now just waiting for the briefing for a night dive......with sharks I believe.  A bit scared but also a bit excited!!!!!