A lot can happen in just over a week when you are doing your Divemaster internship at Two Fish Divers Amed. I have been busy studying my Divemaster Manual and going over the knowledge reviews with Eazie – first exam is out of the way now! J – learning how to demonstrate skills in the pool, assisting one of my instructors with an Open Water course and, of course, diving!
But I have also had the opportunity to experience some of the Balinese culture and traditions. Last week, on March 7th, was Nyepi, also known as the ‘Day of Silence’, a Hindu celebration commemorated every Isakawarsa – Saka New Year – and it is a day of silence, fasting and meditation for the Balinese. In my case, it served as an excuse for a bit of an internet detox, some good rest and studying.
As a part of the PADI Divemaster course, participants must assist instructors when conducting courses both in confined and open water. I absolutely loved helping Markus teach Lara, from Germany, her Open Water course. I learnt so much from him, had the chance to put my skill demonstrations into practice in the pool and, most importantly, felt amazing watching Lara become a diver. The highlight of the course was probably the third open water dive at the USS Liberty wreck, where we were lucky to see a school of around ten bumphead parrotfish. Not bad for a third dive!
I am fascinated with the amount of life we have seen during our muck dives both at Batuh Niti and Banana dive sites. Boxer crab, halimeda crab, bumble bee shrimp and countless nudibranchs and seahorses were among the species we spotted – or actually, that our amazing guide Bayu spotted with his incredible sight. Coral sites such as Pyramids are also fantastic, with blue spotted stingrays, garden eels and or leaf scorpionfish. Amed does actually make the perfect place for diving due to the variety it offers, with a combination or wreck, muck and coral dives. I certainly won’t get bored any time soon.
Last but not least, I was privileged enough to attend the PADI Member Forum 2019, which took place at the Reef Bar in Amed on March 12th. It consisted of a set of presentations, followed by quizzes and of course, a drink or two. I never thought I would get to meet the PADI regional managers for Asia-Pacific, let alone have a beer with them!
Overall, it has been an amazing week. Yes, it has been busy and challenging but I am learning so much and enjoying every second of my course and I am sure I will continue to do so.
Eugenia Moras
