2 years ago when I did my DSD I would never have imagined training for my Divemaster on the way to becoming an instructor… in Bali! My name is Andrea and here is my story about how I got there, and my video that tells you about a typical day on my Divemaster Internship.
From yoga to DSD to Divemaster
My first dive was two winters ago while staying on Gili Air. I had arrived in Bali for a yoga retreat on Gili Air, was told the speedboats to Gilis weren’t running because of the rough waters and put on a public ferry to Lombok.. By the time I got there I had missed the last boats to Gili Air and found myself negotiating with a dive shop for a private ride to Gili Air that night – in exchange I booked a discovery scuba dive for later in the week.
During my yoga retreat on Gili Air I took a day off and went diving with an amazing instructor named Daan. I immediately fell in love with the underwater world, the peace, the beauty, and the creatures – the turtles at Gili stole my heart. I loved it so much I came back to the Gilis the following winter and did my OW Course.
Every holiday I have taken since has been focused around where I can dive and yoga…diving…and more diving. I did my Advanced and Rescue during my summer holidays in Thailand last year. This year, while I was in Ko Phangan diving at Sail Rock to try and see the elusive whale shark, I thought the dream would be to live on an island and dive everyday along with some yoga.
I was supposed to head home to Toronto and begin preparing for my masters degree but my heart was telling me to stay. I just wanted to stay in Asia and dive. So I stayed. I changed my flight to some random date in April and came up with a plan. I found Two Fish Divers and began a conversation to arrange for my DMT course, followed by the Instructor course in Amed.
I’m almost halfway through the course now and couldn’t be happier with my life. I was immediately welcomed into the Two Fish family by Dion and Emily (my instructors) and Rolly, Yuko and Roger (the local dive guides). I’m also learning Indonesian with the help of my new Indonesian brothers at the center!
Whats my DMT day like?
Diving in the morning
Early in the morning we prepare the dive bags, and carry bags and tanks together from beach to boat. We set up all the equipment and head back for some food. After breakfast we head out to the boat and begin our 10-45 minute journey to the different dive sites in search of mantas and molas. The wind blows into my face as Berto drives the boat. To my right, the beautiful blue of the sea, to my left the beauty of first Nusa Ceningan, then the stunning, rugged, expanse of Nusa Penida – life is perfect.
When we arrive at the dive sites, we have a quick dive briefing, gear up and back roll into the water. Sometimes we’re greeted by mantas swimming below or above us to say hello. Sometimes we see dolphins playing at the surface. Sometimes we get lucky and see a manta or a mola… or two.
Between dives and on the way home I hang out with guests or with the boys on the top of the boat as Roger shares the best music on his phone with the portable speaker! When we arrive at the beach the guests head back to the shop and we carry the gear and tanks back to waiting carts up the beach. We bring them back to the shop, rinse and hang up the gear, then we have lunch.
pool skills and dive theory
I get time in the afternoons to review skills with Dion in the pool or to go over dive theory with Emily. I’ve had an opportunity to practice my languages and spend nights conversing with happy customers over a drink and some food. Evenings are usually filled with music, sunsets, good food, beers, and always great company.
So far I’ve managed to finish my two DM exams, I’ve had the opportunity to observe and help out with guiding customers around our local hotspots, an Advanced course, a DSD couple, and now I’m part of a French Open Water course with Emily. I’ve seen mantas octopus, eels, turtles, dolphins, tons of fish, a shark here and there and, luckily, 2 molas! Life is amazing.
The DM course and getting to do it here at Two Fish Lembongan has been an excellent decision and a last minute blessing. The blogs I read beforehand here helped me make the decision to go with Two Fish so I hope my blog will also help someone make the choice to do their DMT with Two Fish Divers.
IDC Amed next!
After my DMT I’ll be headed to Amed to do my PADI IDC Instructor course with Marie (who also came to check on me!), then hopefully I’ll have an internship in Bunaken to reunite with my favourite diving buddies!
Eat, sleep, dive, repeat.
