Melbourne to Hideaway Island

On the 10th of May Jimmy and I flew out to Vanuatu on a diving holiday. We went with 8 others from the Warrnambool Dive and Firearms Shop organised by Brian Brumley and his wife, Leanne. Also goingLæs mere
Bonzer wreck dive @ 24 metres

Ben's birthday today but he's back in Melbourne
Today is our first Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver certificate dive for those of us doing the course.
When we got into the water, my mask filled withLæs mere
More wreck pics and a Polynesian banquet

Tonight we are treated to a Polynesian banquet. There is dance and music. The banquet is traditional food complete with a Kava drink but some think it is watered down a bit. Tastes a bit muddy but okLæs mere
The People

A good bunch of people. The other 2 ladies don't dive but are here on holiday with their hubbies. The Brumleys know old friends of ours, the Murrie's who used to live on Flinders but now live inLæs mere
The Place

The Abyss @ 30.6 m

This was classed as a deep dive and our second Advanced course dive. Any dive over 18 metres is classed as a deep dive and shouldn't be done unless you have the advanced ticket. You shouldn't go belowLæs mere
Aloara wreck or "Rising Sun" wreck 26m

Deliberately sunk wreck, resting on it's starboard side and slightly upside down. We weren't allowed to penetrate (go in) as we haven't done a specialty wreck dive course but can go around and overLæs mere
More Abyss pics in shallower water

Vanuatu Island Fire show

Tonight we take the water taxi back to the mainland to Mele Beach to have pizza dinner and watch a very spectacular fire show. very well done by the locals
Dive crew

The Cathedral off Port Vila, Vanuatu

3rd Advanced cert dive -"boat dive"
Today we took water taxi again to mainland to get to Port Vila where we go on a boat charter with "Big Blue" dive. It is a bit of a boat ride to get out there withLæs mere
Look around Port Vila

After the boat charter we have a look a round Port Vila and have lunch a t a lovely restaurant. A cruise ship is in so the market is open too.
Jimmy was tired a bit and vomiting today so he stayed atLæs mere
Night dive, 26 degrees, 20 metres

I didn't do 2 dives today as my ears still hurt a bit but I did do the night night as it was part of our Advanced Course. I was buddied up with Adrian as he was having trouble with his ears too.
ForLæs mere
West Side Story @ 20 metres

Reefs of staghorn corals, fields of different colours. Lots of pretty fish with crevices in between the reefs.
My ears still hurt a bit but then became OK. There was a slight current and it was quiteLæs mere
West Side story 2

More Day 6

We are now Advanced Open Water divers!!!

Navigation Dive ugh!! Our 5th Advanced dive and compulsory component. I stuffed up a couple of times but eventually passed it. What a shocker! We did it around the underwater Post Office just offLæs mere
Underwater Mail Box

This is a true commissioned working mail box. You can dive or snorkel down to post your postcard.
Divers come and empty it out every few days. A great tourist attraction
Language

Jimmy and I loved the pigeon english.
Last day in the water - snorkel

You can't fly until at least 24 hours after your last dive so we just relax, go touristing or have a snorkel. Jim and I stay and snorkel and read as we've had enough of things. Most of the others goLæs mere
Port Vila town and market

Jimmy hasn't been to Port Vila for a look around as he was sick when the rest of us did it so we pack up early and go into Port Vila for a tourist look. Jimmy is so tall and blonde especially amongstLæs mere
Bauerfield International Airport

Time to go home