a new year is just around the corner

Feliz Ana Nobo

Gelukkig Nieuwjaar

Happy New Year

May all your wishes come true in the new year!

Love,

Marijke & Remco

Happy Thanksgiving

Location: Cozumel, Mexico

Date: 24 November 2011

So how do your celebrate Thanksgiving when only 3 people out of 30 people coming together are from America and when you live in Mexico? Well you have Thanksgiving Mexican style!

Everyone brought some dishes that we could all share eating. Most of us however brought ...... CERVEZA ( hence the picture above). And as the Germans say "7 beers is the same as eating a snitzel " we had quite a few snitzels to eat... ;) All nationalities together the party consisted out of Germans, Mexicans, Dutch, Curacao, Americans, French, Chilean, Spanish, Puerto Rican and Italians. So fair to say that it was a proper melting pot celebrating a day of well I guess togetherness, no?!

Most important thing is that we ad a lot of fun and it only stressed the importance of getting to know your colleagues out of their uniforms.

Well seeing our "bar" picture above I think you can all imagine the state of our dive shop personnel the next day. Lets just say it was a tough one with a lot of water involved ;) 

Jaque & Pabl

Nacho, Remco & Nichan

Nancy and Leo

X Marijke

Pablo, Marijke & Daniel

Hurricane Rina is on her way...

Location: Cozumel, Mexico

Date: 25 October 2011

Having lived in the Caribbean most of my live I have been lucky not to have encountered many hurricanes. They always manage to move away from Curacao. We have had our share of hits but never as bad as the main land (Latin America) and the upper Caribbean. 

However it looks like I can't escape this one. Cozumel is prepared to take a big hit from Mrs Rina. Having Dutch genes and all I try to stay as down to earth as possible but I'll be honest that every now and now and then I do think.. yeah BUT WHAT IF? I mean we have all seen what these bad storms can do to countries. So we are obting to be better safe than sorry and have bought some canned food ( I mean honestly how do you prepare for something like this ? I dunno!). I guess Pasta and Tomato sauce will do.. right? We also bought candles, beer and wine... you know just to have the necessities and all ;) 

As off the forecast right now Rina will hit us early Thursday morning and is growing to be a catagory 3 Hurricane. I am just hoping that Rina doesn't like scuba diving and likes the deserted island holiday a bit more and changes her mind and not holiday on Cozumel. However currently it looks like she favours Cozumel as a holiday spot after which she will try-out Cancun before she diverts to Cuba.

Rina's forecasted path - aiming straight for Cozumel

So to be prepared we have cleaned the dive school today. Meaning that all the gear is stored in the hurricane shelter ( classroom and tank room), the whole of the front shop is empty and we have taken in the canoes and boats. All the tourists have been send over to the mainland so currently it is a ghost town!

Rain has started and wind is blowing but we are not really worried ( just yet). We will just have to wait this one out and hope for the best.

Keep you posted!!

Marijke

Gone Diving

Location: Cozumel, Mexico

Date: 16 October 2011

Daar zitten we dan, op cozumel Mexico. Na 10 maanden zwerven hebben we ineens een appartement en een baan. Een baan als duikinstructeur, wie had dat ooit gedacht he! We krijgen hele leuke reacties van mensen om ons heen die allemaal heel blij voor ons zijn dat we ons hartje volgen Het heeft wat voeten in aarde gehad maar hebben het nu ontzettend naar ons zin. Natuurlijk is deze fase alleen maar een voorbereiding op onze plannen op curacao ( to be continued, no doubt).

Onze multifunctie kamer :)

Hier slaapt ons bed

We hebben een super leuk huisje gevonden net naast het centrum. Het is heel schattig en presies groot genoeg. We kunnen zelfs een luchtbed kwijt voor eventuele logees ;) . 

Het eiland is niet heel grooet ( het zit zo tussen Bonaire en Curacao in kwa formaat) en er wonen zo ongeveer 100.000 mensen hier. Er liggen ook altijd veel cruiseboten en dan word het centrum net iets te amerikaans. Het toerisme zorgt er wel voor dat men heel goed tegenover buitenlanders staat en helemaal als je laat merken dat je de taal wil leren. Mijn leraren zijn voornamelijk Miguel en Aarom ( de capitein en marinero van de boot). Ze leggen me veel uit over duiken in het spaans en dat is echt super leuk. het begint al te komen maar echt hele gesprekken in het spaans is nog wat te hoog gegrepen. 

Op de duikschool komen veel amerikanen, canadezen en frans canadezen. Er werken 8 instructeurs ( ik ben de enige vrouw, want schijnbaar hebben ze slechte ervaring met vrouwen die prinsessen gedrag showde. degene die mij goed kent weet dat ik graag mijn eigen spullen sjouw en niet anders gewend ben om dit te doen.). De instructeurs die er werken komen overal vandaan. Er werken nu mensen vanuit, Amerika, Chile, Frankrijk, Duitsland, Mexico en nu dus ook een Nederlander en een antiliaan :)

Het duiken is echt FANAAAAAASTIESSSSS. Elke dag zie ik wel een zusterhaai, schildpadden, toadfish en nog veel meer mooie onderwater beesies. Verder is het koraal hier ook echt TOPPIE! er zijn duiken voor debeginner maar ook voor de advanced duiker is hier echt veel te doen. Al met al zitten we hier goed om flink wat ervaring op te doen!

M's eerste studenten :

AYO!

I got wrecked.....

Location: Playa del Carmen

Date: 4 October 2011

Once we were Partied out ( and boy was it a good party)... oh OK here are some pics ( do i need to say more?)

Anyway.. conclusion..... we had fun ;) 

However, we were not finished yet! Even though we are now classified instructors we all opted for another course which means we can also teach some specialities. For us it just meant some serious diving. The first day of our course was how to service our equipment ( yes I guess I am kinda technical now!), another part was going to the Canonero wreck near Puerto Morelos ( which is a town close to Playa del Carmen). Given the fact that I LOVE TO DIVE WRECKS i was seriously looking forward to this one. It menat we could go in the wreck using lines and explore it from the inside. FUN. Remco made a cool video of us have a look:

Now you know why I like sunken ships :) 

Ayoooooo!

New PADI instructors OLE

Location: Playa del Carmen, Cenotes

Date: 1 October 2011

They say time flies when you are having fun! They also say that you should follow your heart.... And after 3 weeks of training, studying and lots and lots of presentations we are now officially PADI instructors. I'll be honest this is only the beginning. here is so much to do and learn in the diving industry that I am looking forward to the road ahead of me and what life may bring me.

Let me tell you a bit what the IDC (instructor development course) entails. Before you even start the IDC you must have a open water, advanced open water, Rescue diver and Dive master certification. Once you have these on the pocket you can apply for the IDC which will be followed by the IE ( basically the exams). The IDC prepares you for the exams. We have been in the classroom for theory and presentational workshops, in the pool for skill sessions as well as in the ocean. Cuz now you are going PRO, what we learned during Open water is now something we actually have to teach ourselves. So the IDC teaches you how to teach - still following? Once you have successfully completed the IDC you can then apply for the "exams" which is about 2,5 days. It has open water and pool presentation ( you have to pretend you are teaching your fellow classmates), it has skill sessions in the water as well as presentations in the classroom. And guess what.. WE ALL PASSED!

We have 2 job offers ( I know luxury huh) so now we just have to choose between the 2 of them. And then we must get back to work. Only difference is that the ocean is our office and the tank is our desk, the regulators is our PC and swimming is our lunch break exercise. Such a hard life.

Playa del Carmen reminds me very much of Curacao however it has got that touristy feel to it and has a "strip". The strip is one of those touristy avenues where all the gifts are sold, you find the mex-tex restaurants but also nice little pubs. Some of which we have frequently visited ;)

In fact we are off for a party tonight!!!
Ayo,

Marijke

Cenote here we come

Location: Playa del Carmen, Cenotes

Date: 18 September 2011

OMG today was the day we actually went Cavern diving. This area of mexico is very famous for its Cenotes. So I wikipedia-ed it and it says:

Cenotes are surface connections to subterranean water bodies. While the best-known cenotes are large open water pools measuring tens of meters (yards) in diameter, such as those at Chichén Itzá, the greatest number of cenotes are smaller sheltered sites and do not necessarily have any surface exposed water. The term cenote has also been used to describe similar karst features in other countries such as Cuba and Australia, in addition to the more generic term of sinkholes.

Cenote water is often very clear, as the water comes from rain water infiltrating slowly through the ground, and therefore contains very little suspended particulate matter. The groundwater flow rate within a cenote may be very slow at velocities ranging from 1 to 1,000 meters (3 to 3,000 ft) per year. In many cases, cenotes are areas where sections of cave roof have collapsed revealing an underlying cave system, and the water flow rates here may be much faster: up to 10 kilometers (6 mi) per day. Cenotes around the world attract cave diverswho have documented extensive flooded cave systems through them, some of which have been explored for lengths of 100 km (62 mi) or more.

We all knew that is was going to happen during our IDC, needless to say we were al pretty excited when the day finally arrived. First we gat a tour around the surface area of the cenotes including some background info.

Cavern diving i a pretty serious side of diving however it is also very much excting and FUN! I felt like a kid in a candy store and could not wait to get in the water. The water was FREEEZING ( 24degrees) and I was very happy with my 6,5mm wetsuit... all nice and warm me felt!

Going into the Cenote is a very strange feeling as this is something i hadn't done it before so the anxiety ( the good one) did kick in followed by a big AHHHHHHH ( without dropping the reg from my mouth obviously). WHat an amazing world down there. Going from light to dark from fresh water to salt from cold to warm and from a stalagmite to mangrove. One word.. AMAAZING! So wanna get my cavern diving certificate now....more studying to do!

We finished the day with traditional Mexican taco's @ paco's :) could not have been a better day!!

Ayooooo

Marijke

Just a couple of days left in Dutchland...

Location: Gouda

Date: 27th August 2011

Just finished reading 3 letters mum wrote to her sister when she started living in Curacao. Brilliant to read about her perception of moving to a completely different country. I also recognised some things we stumbled upon as well when moving abroad. Everybody with the experience of moving abroad knows that in the beginning it is tough, not only cuz you miss your fams and friends but also because you have to start all over. To be honest I think it is quite refreshing as well.

I love meeting new people and getting to know new cultures, and even sometimes seeing the similarities between cultures. Sometimes in Australia I literally had to pinch myself making sure i wasn't in England. I know the whole English convict thing back in the day obviously connects the 2 countries but i never expected that 2 countries so far away from each other had such similarities. Australia is a lovely country and could see myself living there for sure ( up north that is cuz the south gets way 2 cold!!!!). Of course the fact that it has serious good diving does help a little bit ;) 

Coming in Bali you still see the Dutch colony signs ( even though the Balinese don't like talking about it, obviously....). Fiji just has the nicest people ever, without being to obnoxious which is something many countries can learn from! 

It is also hilarious to hear and experience how the foreigner sees the dutch! seriously we have heard every cliché and stereotypical Dutch "thing". So yeah yeah I know we are cheap, very tall, mostly blond, very down to earth and do not beat around the bush, we actually "go dutch" our selves as well ( hence the saying DUH) and that we of course all do drugs and walk on clogs all day! LOL. The conversation normally ends with me saying ... well actually... I wasn't raised in Holland so what does that make me? A "Yu di Korsow"!!! They normally thought Remco was Swedish ( the serious blond her and length) and me.. well couldn't really place me.. The Americans though I was Australian (seriously?), The Australians though I was English, The English generally just got scared of my accent and the Dutch said.... It takes one to know one.. ( oh yeah thanks for that!). We will see How Mexico perceives us hahaha

In a couple of days we will fly to Mexico, and seriously looking forward to it. Getting certified as a dive instructor is one of my biggest dreams and I have always wanted to live in a Spanish speaking country cuz that is the only way I can actually master the lingo! Hopefully we will find a job there for a couple of months but knowing us we could just as easily divert....... ;)

However the dream of moving back home ( Curacao that is) is coming closer and closer and makes me smile from ear to ear :). 

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.  It's the life in your years.  ~Abraham Lincoln

Bula (fiji), Pura Vida (costa Rica), G'day (aussie)

Location: Gouda

Date: 25th August 2011

After travelling for months through the most beautiful places I have ever been, a day with the camera in good old Gouda isn't so bad either ;)

Our next trip is only a week away. Ariba ariba!!!! Mexico here we come

Ayo!

True Bali time.....

Location: Padang Bai Bali

Date: 21st July 2011

Ceremonies are a way of life in Bali. They bless everything. Before every dive the dive guides will send a small offering onto the ocean to make sure all goes well ( part of the Balinese Buddhism). Everyday they offer their gods, in front of every door you will find some offerings and in every complex you will find a small area that is devoted to the gods. I think it is the charm of Bali. 

Needless to say that after having our new engines installed on the boat we need a ceremony to bless them. Without this blessing you will not get any Balinese on the boat and drive it.

The holy man and his wife were leading the ceremony assisted by the boat crew and the girls from the office (all are related as well). Remco and myself were very intrigued and asked if we could join.

First the offerings are being prepared and the holy man prepares the holy water. We then all sat behind him and his wife whilst he said his prayers and offerings were brought to the boat. After that we all prayed with him (well I held my hands up in the same way and drank the holy water but wasn’t sure what to ..... pray for... So i just imaged some good dives coming out of these shiny new engines ). The preparation actually took longer than the ceremony itself but gods behold.... the engines are blessed!

 All the pics from the album:

Bali

Ciao!

Galungan....

Location: Padang Bai, Bali
Date: 06 July

Today Galungan has started.....

Galungan is a Balinese holiday that occurs every 210 days and lasts for 10 days. Kuningan is the last day of the holiday. Galungan means "When the Dharma is winning." During this holiday the Balinese gods visit the Earth and leave on Kuningan. It is a major feast that is held throughout the island. On the first and tenth day all balinese men and women dress in traditional clothing. I was also introduced to this. The men ( Dave and Remco) didn't feel particularly happy about dressing up so they were our photographers :)

The balinese make special decorations that they place at the right side of an etry to a house. This welcomes the spirits to their former homes. The spirits must be entertained and welcomed, and prayers and offerings must be made for them. Soon I will upload some more pictures of all the decorations as it is truly a beautiful sight in the streets. Interesting fact..... the boys make the decorations :)

Bali

Ayo,
Marrem

Goodbye Australia

Location: Cairns Australia

Date: 11 June 2011

I cannot believe how quickly the months have gone! The time has come for us to leave Ozzieland. We had a great time and did some AWESOME diving. This leads me to the next step we are taking...... We are off to Bali for a divemaster internship and who knows what will come out of that. Maybe working as an instructor somewhere in the world? I don't know. Taking it day by day.

This does mean we are skipping Japan simply because I am afraid to go ( i know strange huh!). But after 1,5 year of running away from my emotions they have actually found me. Yey me..... ;) Japan was always the country my parents talked about. The holiday that they remembered. One of the main reasons of us planning it in our trip. My gut feeling says now is not the time to go for me.

Currently we are in Padangbai Bali, a teeeniy tiny harbour town with the most terrific dive sites. The infamous Gili islands are around the corner as well as Ubud the hippy town of Bali.

Leaving Australia is strange. We "lived" there for 2,5 months being familiar with Harvey Norman, Coles and hungry Jacks ( burger king for teh rest of teh world). We know that almost every Ozzie likes to fish, here are more free BBQ facilities than toilets........ and so much more. All in all it is a terrific country to travel through!

So bye Australia.. for now... never say never!

Ayo,

Marrem

diving the great barrier reef

Location: Port douglas

Today is our first glimpse of the Great Barrier reef and on top of that we might even see the minke whales ( very unlikely though). The boat left the harbour at 8.30 touring to the Agincourt reefs ( very north great barrier reef).  “The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres”. So fair to say that it is BIG!. You will recognise the reefs as big brown very shallow spots in the water. Finally the weather was actually working with us and we had perfect tidal changed so it all looked like perfect conditions.

And boy it was! We had a small group ( only 5 divers) and a guide that definitely knew his way around the reef.  On the three dives we did that day we saw a shark, swam through many tunnels and caves, loads of Nemo’s, a serious amount of clams ( one was 70 year old), big ass cucumbers ( which you can do all sorts of things with). The pictures will show more!

After the second dive we came out of the water and had soe good news, the minke’s were here! Oh yeah! So no need to think twice we stripped of our gear and jumped back into the water ad snorkelled with the whales. One word: WOW. Amazing experience.

Port Douglas reminds me very much of Curacao, same vibe ad atmosphere and nice cafe’s and restaurants. We ended up drinking a few bears with the crew and ended up booking another day on teh boat to do 3 more dives. Because it was just Remco myself and Nick our guide, we were able to dive a bit longer and do drift dives which was very cool. Again I was amazed by the underwater world. Love it. Dive instructors have the best office of the world. Yes I AM JEALOUS!

Pics will show all!

AU - Diving Port Douglas

Ayo,

Marrem