Dive Log #11

By the Numbers: Bi-Weekly Dive Log
Dive #151 (BSD 100)	22/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:33	Bottom Time: 58 minutes
Max Depth: 14.5 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Aquarium w/Susanne, 2 clients. Nudibranch x5, scorpionfish x8, peppered moray x4, porcupinefish, hawksbill, mantis shrimp.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7228 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #152 (BSD 101)	22/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:37	Bottom Time: 55 minutes
Max Depth: 14.3 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Assist @ Horse Shoe Rocks w/Susanne, 4 clients. Spotted an octopus! Nudibranch x4, cowrie, peppered moray x3, porcupinefish x2, golden moray, lionfish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7283 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #153 (BSD 102)	23/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:40	Bottom Time: 53 minutes
Max Depth: 12.5 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Whale Rock w/3 clients. Octopus, nudibranch x3, lionfish, peppered moray, mantis shrimp, clownfish x3.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7336 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #154 (BSD 103)	23/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:28	Bottom Time: 56 minutes
Max Depth: 15.1 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Coral Garden w/5 clients. Nudibranch x2, marble ray (~1.5m), yellow-margined moray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7392 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #155 (BSD 104)	24/8/2011
Dive Time: 10:03	Bottom Time: 41 minutes
Max Depth: 17.4 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive 2 Lighthouse w/3 clients. White tip reef shark (1.5-2m), boxfish x2, pufferfish x2, lionfish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7433 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #156 (BSD 105)	24/8/2011
Dive Time: 12:00	Bottom Time: 45 minutes
Max Depth: 13.3 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Granbazar w/3 clients. COT x3, lionfish x2, nudibranch x2, peppered moray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7478 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #157 (BSD 106)	27/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:46	Bottom Time: 43 minutes
Max Depth: 22.7 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Twin Barges w/2 clients. Porcupine x2, lionfish x7, peppered moray x5, clownfish, hairy hermit crab.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7478 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #158 (BSD 107)	27/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:14	Bottom Time: 55 minutes
Max Depth: 18.7 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Coral Garden w/Susanne, Christian. Scorpionfish x2, nudibranch x6, peppered moray, moray, cowrie x2, painted lobster x5, clownfish x4.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7576 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #159 (BSD 108)	28/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:34	Bottom Time: 57 minutes
Max Depth: 11.9 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 100 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Sunset Rocks w/6 clients. Client @ 30 bar, shared air for last 10 minutes in order to return to boat. Scorpionfish x3, COT x2, white-mouthed moray, peppered moray x3, lionfish x4, porcupinefish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7633 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #160 (BSD 109)	28/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:34	Bottom Time: 55 minutes
Max Depth: 13.5 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Aquarium w/6 clients. White-mouthed moray x2, peppered moray x3, lionfish x2, scorpionfish, clownfish x2.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7688 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #161 (BSD 110)	29/8/2011
Dive Time: 10:04	Bottom Time: 53 minutes
Max Depth: 22.9 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 110 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Twin Barges w/2 clients. Nudibranch x3, stonefish, puffer, porcupine x4, lionfish x5, cleaner shrimp, peppered moray x3, yellow-margined moray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7741 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #162 (BSD 111)	29/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:40	Bottom Time: 45 minutes
Max Depth: 15.3 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 110 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: FIRST SOLO DIVE @ Granbazar. COT x3, clownfish x5, lionfish, peppered moray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7786 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #163 (BSD 112)	30/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:52	Bottom Time: 56 minutes
Max Depth: 22.7 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 80 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 1kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Twin Barges w/5 clients. Porcupinefish x3, pufferfish x2, boxfish x2, scorpionfish, peppered moray x5, starry moray, nudibranch, clearner wrasse, clearner shrimp, yellow-margined moray, lionfish x7,boxer shrimp.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7842 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #164 (BSD 113)	30/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:41	Bottom Time: 54 minutes
Max Depth: 14.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Joker w/2 clients. Nudibranch x3, white-mouth moray,lionfish, cleaner shrimp, cleaner wrasse.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7896 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #165 (BSD 114)	31/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:54	Bottom Time: 49 minutes
Max Depth: 15.3 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Lighthouse w/1 client. Bumphead parrotfish x3, pufferfish x4, porcupinefish, squid x9, mantis shrimp, white-mouth moray, honeycomb moray, titan triggerfish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7945 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #166 (FINAL BSD 115)	31/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:34	Bottom Time: 54 minutes
Max Depth: 18.1 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Baie Ternay w/Susanne, 3 clients. COT, Leaf fish, nudibranch x3, white-tip reef shark, yellow-margined moray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7999 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters

WK 22: Beginning's End / New Beginning.

My time in the Seychelles has come to an end. It seems like I arrived only yesterday, the memories from Cap Ternay still so vivid and fresh in my mind: the novelty and charm of the islands, the Kreol culture, and researching coral around Baie Ternay. Yet at the same time, it feels like I've been on Mahe for years. This little island paradise has been my home for the last 6 months, but I must move on and the future waits for no one.

WK 21: The BIG 100

My eyes fixate on an underwater rock. At first glance it's mundane, displaying the usual algal growth common to the countless other boulders. Even so, I stall and invert myself for a closer look. The rock blinks, its gaze meets mine.

The rock moves. Fins arch displaying a vibrant color scheme of yellow and auburn before nestling back into the substrate. I crane my neck around, signalling towards the rock. Some divers acknowledge my find with a smile in their eyes and the "OK" signal while others shrug staring at me and the rock quizzically. With my makeshift tank-banger (a dull and rusted garden stake), I point delicately to the top of the rock where a scorpionfish sits, perfectly camouflaged.

All divers are signalling "OK" and the group's energy skyrockets. My eyes smile back as I resume my search for underwater treasures, letting them relish the moment. It's my 100th dive with Blue Sea Divers and I make it count for all it's worth.

*****

This past week was yet another 7 days that passed by all too quickly. There was no downtime to pause and reflect. Every moment in the water, I was leading and learning, fully engaged in tailoring each dive to the needs and desires of my divers. Onshore, I was hard at work in the dive shop and beach kiosk tidying up, maintaining equipment, and counting down the moments until the next dive. It was a full week from every perspective.

On Monday, I plunged beneath the water for my 100th Blue Sea Divers dive. While the day and the dive proved to be an incredible experience, it didn't start off all too well. Firstly, I was delegated responsible for the "routine" dive boat which would take clients out for 2 morning dives around the usual Beau Vallon sites. While the responsibility was an honor, knowing that two of my fellow divemasters were fun diving at Aldabaren had me a bit sore. I'd been delegated to shop duty on the previous Aldabaren dive and had hoped to dive the wreck one last time. Even so, I was able to shrug off the bad vibes and chose one of my top sites, L'ilot, as the day's first dive (and my 100th!).

Having mended the morning's dive site upheaval, I joined my divers on the boat and gave them a briefing on L'ilot. Moments later, the skipper received a call from the dive shop prohibiting the boat from making the trek out to L'ilot. The news was like an urchin to the face, but I kept my cool and decided upon Coral Garden, a site where I've spotted a nurse shark, turtles, and lobsters. I knew I could deliver a quality dive there. Unfortunately, that notion was shot down since the site was obscured by bad visibility and the GPS was on the Aldabaren boat. Now, completely embarrassed and apologetic, the skipper and I begrudgingly decided upon Aquarium as the first dive site.

Despite the morning's madness, my 100th could easily contend with any 40m wreck in regards to quality. It seemed like every moment I was pointing to another find, from a timid mantis shrimp and delicate nudibranchs to colorful clownfish and camouflaged scorpionfish, we saw it all. I couldn't have asked for a better 100th dive.

Every now and again, life throws you an urchin. Impact is inevitable. The impending pain is a process: pull out what you can and take in what you can not. Don't back down- learn, grow, and thrive where others would crumble. This is how one builds character. This is how you catch an urchin without it catching you.

Seychelles Dive Log #10

By the Numbers: Bi-Weekly Dive Log
Dive #131 (BSD 80)	8/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:22	Bottom Time: 59 minutes
Max Depth: 23.6 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Twin Barges w/Simon, 3 clients. Nudibranch, devil ray, lionfish x5, peppered moray x3.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6188 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #132 (BSD 81)	8/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:01	Bottom Time: 54 minutes
Max Depth: 12 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 2-4 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Grambazar w/Simon, 2 clients. Scorpionfish, clownfish x4, COT x3, female hawsbill.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6242 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #133 (BSD 82)	8/8/2011
Dive Time: 14:37	Bottom Time: 41 minutes
Max Depth: 14.1 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 160 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 1kg weight (-1kg for Simon) in XS BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Sunset Rocks w/Simon, Sylvain, 3 clients. COT x3, peppered moray x4, scorpionfish, clownfish x2, hawksbill.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6283 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #134 (BSD 83)	9/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:26	Bottom Time: 47 minutes
Max Depth: 9.8 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 170 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1kg weight in XS BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Northolme w/Simon, Susanne. Scorpionfish, COT x2, peppered moray x4, cowrie, yellow-margined moray, nudibranch x3, lionfish, porcupine x2.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6330 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #135 (BSD 84)	9/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:13	Bottom Time: 49 minutes
Max Depth: 21.1 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1kg weight in XS BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Twin Barges w/Simon, Susanne (200th dive!). Marble ray (~1.5 m), peppered moray x2, dragon moray, scorpionfish x2, nudibranch x4, white-mouthed moray, porcupinefish, pipefish, remorah x5, cleaner shrimps, lionfish x5.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6379 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #136 (BSD 85)	10/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:38	Bottom Time: 49 minutes
Max Depth: 17.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1kg weight in XS BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Baie Ternay w/2 clients. White-mouth moray, nudibranch, white leaf fish, lionfish x3, squid, fighting parrotfish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6428 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #137 (BSD 86)	10/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:08	Bottom Time: 56 minutes
Max Depth: 13.4 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 140 sbar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1 kg weight in XS BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Baie Ternay w/1 client. Nudibranch, clownfish x3, hawksbill w/batfish, napoleonfish (~1.5 meters), squid x2, lionfish x2, yellow-margined moray, giant clam.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6484 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #138 (BSD 87)	11/8/2011
Dive Time: 14:44	Bottom Time: 48 minutes
Max Depth: 9.1 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 0 kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Northolme Rocks w/1 client. Scorpionfish, COT x2, porcupine, baracuda.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6532 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #139 (BSD 88)	12/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:43	Bottom Time: 52 minutes
Max Depth: 16 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ L'ilot w/Marcus, 4 clients. Porcupinefish, nudibranch, clownfish, bumphead parrotfish x5, giant moray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6584 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #140 (BSD 89)	12/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:19	Bottom Time: 57 minutes
Max Depth: 20.8 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 100 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Twin Barges w/Marcus, Simon, Susanne. Nudibranch x3, cleaner shrimps, peppered moray x3, yellow-margined moray, clownfish x4, lionfish x5, remora.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6641 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #141 (BSD 90)	14/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:35	Bottom Time: 64 minutes
Max Depth: 22.9 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 100 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weightin Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Twin Barges w/Susanne, 4 clients. Massive damage to coral reef, machine tracks visible. Nudibranch x3, juvenile peppered moray x3, lionfish x5, cleaner shrimp, clownfish x4.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6705 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #142 (BSD 91)	14/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:16	Bottom Time: 56 minutes
Max Depth: 13.5 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 110 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Horse Shoe Rocks w/Susanne, 4 clients. Scorpionfish, baby box fish, pufferfish, porcupinefish, juvenile ribbon eel, conch x2, cleaner shrimp, nudibranch x5, juvenile peppered moray x4, clownfish x2, lionfish x6.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6761 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #143 (BSD 92)	15/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:55	Bottom Time: 52 minutes
Max Depth: 16.1 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Coral Garden w/Adam. Painted lobster x7, cowrie x2, nudibranch x2.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6813 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #144 (BSD 93)	15/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:22	Bottom Time: 56 minutes
Max Depth: 14.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Aquarium w/Adam, Simon. Octopus, porcupinefish, cowrie, yellow-margined moray x2, hawksbill.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6869 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #145 (BSD 94)	18/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:29	Bottom Time: 48 minutes
Max Depth: 22.9 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 110 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Twin Barges w/5 clients. Peppered moray x3, lionfish x6, cleaner shrimp, painted lobster, emperor red snapper x2, sweetlips x2, yellow trumpetfish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6917 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #146 (BSD 95)	18/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:23	Bottom Time: 60 minutes
Max Depth: 14 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Aquarium w/Susanne. Clownfish x2, juvenile peppered moray, cowrie.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6977 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #147 (BSD 96)	20/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:46	Bottom Time: 45 minutes
Max Depth: 13.8 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead dive @ Twin Barges w/2 clients. Scorpionfish, juvenile peppered moray, lionfish, cowrie, nudibranch.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7022 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #148 (BSD 97)	20/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:26	Bottom Time: 45 minutes
Max Depth: 19.3 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead dive @ Coral Garden w/3 clients. Zebra eel, COT x2, helmet shell, lionfish, juvenile peppered moray, porcupinefish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7067 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #149 (BSD 98)	21/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:42	Bottom Time: 43 minutes
Max Depth: 25.9 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 90 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead dive @ Dredger Wreck w/3 clients. Peppered moray x3, porcupinefish x2, pufferfish, nudibranch, octopus.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7110 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #150 (BSD 99)	21/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:00	Bottom Time: 60 minutes
Max Depth: 13.4 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 100 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 0kg, Junior BSD BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Aquarium w/3 clients. Scorpionfish x2, nudibranch x4, peppered moray x6, hawksbill.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 7170 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters

WK 20: It’s Getting Hot in Here

Beach Kiosk

A bead of sweat trickles down my forehead as I bake in the Blue Sea Diver's beach kiosk. The heat of the day bears down upon the shack maintaining the suffocating temperature. The ocean waves to me from a distance, tempting me with its pristine waters. From within the oven, I smear perspiration from my brow with my forearm. There’s no relief from the heat. It takes all my might to focus my mind on the promise of tomorrow's dives-anything but the rising temperature.

*****

Remnants from the battle

This past week I officially completed my divemaster certification and have been creeping up on my 100^th dive with Blue Sea Divers. Looking back, the days are non distinct but the experience as a whole has been a good one. Over the past few days, I've led a number of successful dives with a few curve ball clients and situations that have only made me a better diver and divemaster. Out of the water I've been servicing equipment and maintaining the shop (and wishing I were diving of course).

Fruit bats continued to blast the staff house with their leftovers. Mango pits and branches have decorated our lawn becoming permanent ornaments. I had thought our house could not have any more character than before the fruit onslaught- I was wrong. It's been fun living at the Blue Sea Divers' staff house, but I do look forward to a good night's rest and some peace and quiet.

Next week, I’ll have my 100^th dive with Blue Sea Divers and say goodbye to one of my fellow divemaster interns. The end is fast approaching, but before I go- I’m going to fill every moment with memories.

WK 19: The Sky is Falling

Giant clam

Days blur together like colors in some sort of twisted painting, deceiving my eyes with uncertain shades. Yesterday, tomorrow- words devoid of meaning as only the current fleeting moment is framed perception.

I strain to find an anchor in the whirlpool time spins, but for the life of me, all I see are life's ever shifting hues and changing tides. I want to sink below the layers of color, below the constant churning waves where the ticking of time fades. I yearn for life beyond the frame, beneath the chaos of colors where worldly prejudices dissipate and peace resides.

*****

Each passing week seems to go by quicker than the last, and week 19 maintained the trend. I was constantly amazed at the dates in the shop's log book, second guessing their accuracy (and my own literacy). I was just barely able to keep track of the time of day.

Lionfish

Despite time playing with my mind, I've continued to develop my skills as a diver. Now that leading has become second nature, I've been focusing on developing buoyancy control. This past week I freed myself from needing 3-2 kg to diving without weights- a feat accomplished while still wearing a full wetsuit! Simply utilizing proper breath control I've been able to maintain neutral buoyancy throughout my dives.The experience has been liberating in every sense of the word!

On the home front, life has been a a bit dodgy. The staff house has been under constant siege. Merciless fruit bats have been waging a decidedly one-sided war, their weapon of choice: mango-bombs. The usual nighttime solace has been shattered with explosions, constant cracks and rumblings of bombs impacting the tin roof like lightning strikes and roaring thunder. Every morning, the lawn has been riddled with debris from the previous night's battle: mangoes, half-chewed pits, and even branches.

Juvenile peppered/geometric moray eel

If living on a battle site weren't enough fun, swimming in one is an experience beyond measure. If it rains, it pours and if it pours the staff house leaks- in every single room. The ceiling is bloated with water, caving in at the seams, and waterfalls rage down the walls. Rooms look like a feng shui master went mad, furniture and buckets strewn around like an absurd obstacle course. One can't complain though, the incessant rain means that we have running water throughout the house (from leaks AND the tap, yay!).

Life is a vibrant living painting with watercolors being the medium of choice for this past week. The colors and experiences will settle in due time. With just a few weeks left on Mahe, I am curious to see what final experiences will imbue my picture of the Seychelles.

Seychelles Dive Log #9

By the Numbers: Bi-Weekly Dive Log
Dive #112 (BSD 61)	24/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:29	Bottom Time: 50 minutes
Max Depth: 40.8 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 8-10 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 90 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (34/35).
Notes: Deep Dive @ Aldabaran Wreck w/Sylvain, Simon. Porcupine x2, juvenile peppered moray x3, swim through on deck.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5200 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #113 (BSD 62)	24/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:18	Bottom Time: 51 minutes
Max Depth: 9 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 7-9 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 160 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights (-1kg for client) in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (34/35).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Northolme w/Natacha, 2 clients. Barracuda, COT x2, moray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5251 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #114 (BSD 63)	25/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:24	Bottom Time: 48 minutes
Max Depth: 17.4 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (34/35).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ L'ilot w/Marcus, 3 clients. Porcupine x2, puffer x3, humphead parrotfish (~1.5 meters), yellow-margined moray, peppered moray x3.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5299 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #115 (BSD 64)	25/7/2011
Dive Time: 18:33	Bottom Time: 52 minutes
Max Depth: 22.8 meters	Water Temperature: 25
Visibility: -
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (34/35).
Notes: Night Dive @ Twin Barges w/Adam, Simon. Porcupine x5, puffer x2, scorpionfish x6, hermit crab x3, shrimp, painted lobster, lionfish x7, footballer cod.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5351 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #116 (BSD 65)	26/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:50	Bottom Time: 50 minutes
Max Depth: 16.4 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (34/35).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Lighthouse w/Adam, 5 clients. Stonefish, eagle ray (~1-1.5 meters), hawksbill turtle, lionfish, puffer x2, porcupine.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5401 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #117 (BSD 66)	26/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:31	Bottom Time: 48 minutes
Max Depth: 17.4 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (34/35).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Baie Ternay w/Adam, 5 clients. White leafish x3, lionfish x2, white mouth moray, peppered moray, nudibranch, cowfish, trumpetfish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5449 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #118 (BSD 67)	27/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:41	Bottom Time: 50 minutes
Max Depth: 18.1 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 2mm booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Fun Dive @ L'ilot w/Simon. Lionfish x4, bumphead parrotfish x2, nudibranch x6, porcupine, puffer, scorpionfish x2, reef octopus x2.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5499 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #119 (BSD 68)	27/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:18	Bottom Time: 45 minutes
Max Depth: 14.2 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 2mm booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Aquarium w/4 clients. Juvenile peppered moray, juvenile dragon moray, hawksbill turtle.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5544 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #120 (BSD 69)	28/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:54	Bottom Time: 52 minutes
Max Depth: 16.5 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 7-9 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (34/35).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Baie Ternay w/Simon, 1 client. Lionfish x2, nudibranch x7, white-mouth moray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5596 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #121 (BSD 70)	28/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:36	Bottom Time: minutes
Max Depth: 14.9 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (34/35).
Notes: Lead Assist @ Aquarium w/Simon, 1 client. Eagle ray x2, hairy hermit crab, nudibranch x2, clownfish x2.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5660 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #122 (BSD 71)	30/7/2011
Dive Time: 14:38	Bottom Time: 45 minutes
Max Depth: 9.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 160 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over full wetsuit, 2kg weights in XXS BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 2mm Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Northolme w/2 clients. COT x3, moray x2, hairy hermit crab.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5705 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #123 (BSD 72)	31/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:36	Bottom Time: 52 minutes
Max Depth: 16.8 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Twin Barges/Corsair Reef w/6 & 3 clients. Took on 2 groups of 3 divers for first half of dive on wreck. Split into 2 seperate dive groups (divemasters: Marcus/myself) for second half of dive on reef. Nudibranch x 4 (first twin chromodoris spotted), lionfish x5, peppered moray, zebra moray, cowrie.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5757 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #124 (BSD 73)	31/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:11	Bottom Time: 50 minutes
Max Depth: 15.9 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Aquarium w/3 clients. Clownfish x2, nudibranch, hawksbill turtle, mantis shrimp.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5807 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #125 (BSD 74)	2/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:32	Bottom Time: 51 minutes
Max Depth: 20.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Fun Dive @ L'ilot w/Simon. Fun swim through. Eagle ray, school of moorish idols, porcupine x2, reef octopus, juvenile peppered moray, cowrie, scorpionfish, clownfish, mantis shrimp, shrimp, oriental sweetlips.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5858 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #126 (BSD 75)	2/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:12	Bottom Time: 56 minutes
Max Depth: 10.7 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Coral Garden/Aquarium w/Simon. Nudibranch x2, clownfish, scorpionfish x2 (first Inimicus filamentosus spot), zebra moray, juvenile peppered moray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5914 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #127 (BSD 76)	3/8/2011
Dive Time: 14:56	Bottom Time: 52 minutes
Max Depth: 12.9 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 shorty over 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1.5 kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Assist @ Sunset Rocks w/Simon, 1 client. Moved anchor to prevent damage to sea anemone/clownfish. Clownfish, stonefish, scorpionfish, hawksbill, COT x4, cowrie, school of needlefish, benito, zebra moray, peppered moray, lionfish x4, octopus, porcupine x2.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5966 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #128 (BSD 77)	7/8/2011
Dive Time: 09:26	Bottom Time: 55 minutes
Max Depth: 13.2 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1kg weight belt, BSD Beuchat Master Lift Club XXS BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Assist @ Aquarium w/Simon, 2 clients. Scorpionfish, clownfish x2, hawksbill, lionfish x2.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6021 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #129 (BSD 78)	7/8/2011
Dive Time: 11:01	Bottom Time: 56 minutes
Max Depth: 9.1 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 160 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1kg weight belt, BSD Beuchat Master Lift Club XXS BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Northolme Rocks w/Simon. COT x5, zebra moray, scorpionfish, nudibranch x2, oriental sweetlips, murex, cowrie.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6077 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #130 (BSD 79)	7/8/2011
Dive Time: 14:44	Bottom Time: 52 minutes
Max Depth: 9.1 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, 1kg weight belt, BSD Beuchat Master Lift Club XXS BCD, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Northolme Rocks w/Simon, 2 clients. COT x3, lionfish x4, scorpionfish x4, cowrie x2, nudibranch x2.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 6129 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters

WK 18: All Your Base Are Belong To Us

Calling a truce with the urchins

The base at Cap Ternay is alive with activity for the 5 week BBQ. I feel at home yet out of place- everything is just as I remembered but different. The base is abuzz as current expedition members and staff prepare for dinner festivities. I look around and see the usual activity, but there are new faces smiling and different stories being spun now. Feeling simultaneously welcomed and alienated here at Cap Ternay, I’m content to spend a few hours catching up with the staff and making new friends before the night’s end.

*****

Keeping things short and to the point for Week 18: I completed my Divemaster Water Skills and visited base for their 5 week BBQ.

Hawksbill turtle says hello

The water tests overshadowed everything else that happened over the last few days because I was secretly dreading my last two skills, the 800M snorkel and tow. After a dreadful performance for the 400M timed swim, I feared I would not be able to earn high enough marks to pass certification.


I had written myself off completely and had no expectations for the 800M snorkel. My aim was to keep sights on the other divemasters’ wakes for as long as possible. As expected I took my place behind everyone else, kicking for dear life and just barely making out a trail of bubbles to follow. But time passed and the trail of bubbles kept me on course. Before I knew it, Simon and Susanne passed me on their way back to shore and Marcus was rounding the 400M buoy just a few meters ahead of me.

I could spend all day watching Anemone fish

I was in shock as I surged past Marcus. I picked up my pace. Adrenaline pumped while blisters and lungs burned. I did it. I swam the 800M in 15-16 minutes, earning a jaw-dropping 4 out of 5 points. That’s all I needed to top up and over the required 15 points for water skills. I surprised myself.

On Wednesday, Adam, Simon, Susanne, and myself visited base for the 5 Week BBQ. It was an odd feeling to be back at Cap Ternay. I felt both welcomed and estranged as I was greeted with hugs from staff and introduced myself to new expedition members. I hovered about the grounds, wandering around and taking in all the old sights. It was good to visit, but it didn’t feel like home.

With just 4 weeks left here in the Seychelles, I aim to hit my 100th Blue Sea Divers’ dive. Even if I don’t reach 100 with the shop, it’s not really about the numbers- it’s about living life to the fullest, doing the best I can with the time and tools I have. And so it goes.

WK 17: Still Having Fun

The sand soothes my sore feet like a pillow with every step. Blisters cease to burn. Scrapes and sores fade from perception. There are cuts and tears everywhere, but the pain subsides with each step along the moonlit oceanfront. I run.

Half asleep, half awake I run the length of Beau Vallon Beach at dark-thirty in the morning. Toes and heels sink deeply as they attempt to leave a trail but waves curl up around my heels, covering any trace of my passing like a blanket. Only the moon knows my path but she too is fading fast as dawn approaches.

In a few hours, I'll be back on this very beach, my footprints lost among hundreds in the sand. I'll be running about, kitting up customers for their daily dives as the morning light wakes up Beau Vallon Beach. Clamoring about with client's kits, I'll make sure everything is settled and sorted for the daily dives. It will be an orderly chaos as dive sites are confirmed, kits are loaded, and spare tanks checked. Though the morning run along the beach will have focused my thoughts and muscles for the day and I'll be ready for whatever the ocean decides to toss my way.

*****

Despite my forever raw blisters from poor fitting fins, this past week was pretty spectacular. I've successfully passed my Divemaster Exams Part 1 & 2, allowing me to focus on the last few skills for certification. In the water, I enjoyed a deep dive at Aldabaran Wreck and had an incredible fun dive at L'ilot where I had one of my best dives to date!

Having completed my Divemaster Exam was like having rays of sunshine pierce through a rain cloud above me. A flurry of positivity swelled up inside me as I reviewed my answers. With the written exam out of the way I spent the rest of the week focused on and in the water, one fin kick closer to Divemaster certification.

On Sunday, I dove at Aldabaran Wreck with Sylvain, the Blue Sea Divers' owner, and Simon, fellow Divemaster intern. Diving with Sylvain was (and always is) entertaining. He is much more experienced, knowing each dive site's secrets. Sylvain showed Simon and I a few swim-throughs and places to venture into like the ship's navigation room and main staircase. Being smaller than my fellow divers, I was able to surprise Sylvain by looping about the staircase, swimming out of the darkness through a different door than he expected. It was a lot of fun to maneuver through the ship's watery passageways at 40 meters below sea level. Whenever we've gone to Aldabaran it's always been a good dive, and Sunday was no exception.


I surprised myself and Simon at L'ilot the other day. The two of us had a fun dive and I've never had such luck spotting ever! From furry nudibranchs to scorpionfish and even a reef octopus, I could not stop finding creatures. Discovering the first reef octopus would have been the highlight of my week had it not been for the second octopus I spotted later as it swam gracefully from its hiding place in a rock crevice. Simon and I spent a good deal of time watching it change colors, camouflaging itself with the surroundings as we drew closer. When we surfaced after 50 minutes, we found ourselves only halfway around the island, having spent so much time having fun!

It's a bit crazy to think there's just a little over a month left before I return to the states. In the meantime, I'll just keep swimming, filling my days with dives and memories to last more than a few lifetimes.

Seychelles Dive Log #8

By the Numbers: Bi-Weekly Dive Log
Dive #92 (BSD 41)	10/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:32	Bottom Time: 42 minutes
Max Depth: 17.9 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit over 3/2 shorty, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Coral Garden w/5 clients. Nudibranch, cowrie.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4290 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #93 (BSD 42)	10/7/2011
Dive Time: 10:49	Bottom Time: 54 minutes
Max Depth: 14.4 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit over 3/2 shorty, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Aquarium. Juvenile peppered moray eel x2, nudibranch x2, yellow-margined moray, cleaner wrasse.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4344 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #94 (BSD 43)	12/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:43	Bottom Time: 43 minutes
Max Depth: 19.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Coral Garden w/Adam, 4 clients. Lionfish x2, Porcupine x2, nurse shark (1.5 m), nudibranch.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4387 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #95 (BSD 44)	12/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:09	Bottom Time: 52 minutes
Max Depth: 23.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Fun Dive @ Twin Barges & Corsair Reef w/Adam. Porcupinefish, juvenile peppered moray x3, nudibranch x3, painted lobster, lionfish x6.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4439 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #96 (BSD 45)	12/7/2011
Dive Time: 18:31	Bottom Time: 59 minutes
Max Depth: 14.6 meters	Water Temperature: 25
Visibility: -
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Night Dive @ Aquarium w/Adam, Simon. 100th Dive (96th in Seychelles)! Lobsters! Shrimp! Zebra moray eel, scorpionfish, porcupinefish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4498 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #97 (BSD 46)	15/7/2011
Dive Time: 18:28	Bottom Time: 50 minutes
Max Depth: 24.5 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: -
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Night Dive @ Twin Barges w/Adam, Susanne. Self-inflating BCD on descent, disconnected low-pressure inflator hose. Huge pufferfish, porcupines!, painted lobster, juvenile dragon moray x2, peppered morays.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4548 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #98 (BSD 47)	16/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:50	Bottom Time: 40 minutes
Max Depth: 13.1 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Sunset Rocks w/Susanne, 2 clients. Porcupine x3, yellow-margined moray eel, peppered moray x4, conch x2, COT x3, lionfish x2, scorpionfish, angler/scorpion?
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4588 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #99 (BSD 48)	16/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:23	Bottom Time: 36 minutes
Max Depth: 22.5 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Twin Barges w/Susanne, 2 clients. Porcupine x2, lionfish, peppered morays, trumpetfish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4624 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #100 (BSD 49)	17/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:50	Bottom Time: 38 minutes
Max Depth: 22.1 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 210 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Twin Barges w/2 clients.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4662 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #101 (BSD 50)	17/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:32	Bottom Time: 61 minutes
Max Depth: 11.8 meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 100 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Sunset Rocks w/4 clients.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4723 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #102 (BSD 51)	17/7/2011
Dive Time: 15:00	Bottom Time: 52 minutes
Max Depth: 4-6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 80 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Dive @ L'ilot w/2 clients.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4775 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #103 (BSD 52)	18/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:25	Bottom Time: 54 minutes
Max Depth: 13.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 13-15 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 12L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Navigation Dive w/Susanne @ Sunset Rocks. Leaky regulator. Pipefish, lionfish x3, juvenile peppered moray x3, moray, scorpionfish, clownfish x2, stingray (1.5 meters), COT x2.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4829 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #104 (BSD 53)	18/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:21	Bottom Time: 35 minutes
Max Depth: 15.2 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 13-15 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket (-1kg for client during dive), 10L AL Tank, 3/2 Booties, BSD full foot fins (40/41).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive w/Susanne, 5 clients @ Aquarium. Leaky regulator. Lionfish x2, scorpionfish, nudibranch.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4864 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #105 (BSD 54)	18/7/2011
Dive Time: 15:09	Bottom Time: 44 minutes
Max Depth: 22.8 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 13-15 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 1kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (32/33).
Notes: Advanced Course w/Ara, 2 clients @ Twin Barges.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4908 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #106 (BSD 55)	19/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:52	Bottom Time: 36 minutes
Max Depth: 18.8 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: ~30 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket (-1kg for client), 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (32/33).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Lighthouse w/Vera, 4 clients. Early ascent with client on reserve air. Eagle ray, marble ray, hawksbill turtle, mantis shrimp, baracuda.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4944 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #107 (BSD 56)	19/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:36	Bottom Time: 38 minutes
Max Depth: 18.1 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: ~30 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 160 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket (-1kg for client), 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (32/33).
Notes: Lead Assist Dive @ Baie Ternay w/Vera, 5 clients. Early ascent with client on reserve air. Eagle ray x2, spanish dancer eggs, clownfish x2, arabian boxfish.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 4982 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #108 (BSD 57)	21/7/2011
Dive Time: 14:51	Bottom Time: 35 minutes
Max Depth: 11.9 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Sunset Rocks w/1 client. Nudibranch x3, lionfish x2, zebra moray.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5017 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #109 (BSD 58)	21/7/2011
Dive Time: 18:48	Bottom Time: 49 minutes
Max Depth: 17.1meters	Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: -
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit over 3/2 shorty, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (36/37).
Notes: Night Dive @ Twin Barges w/Natacha, 4 clients. COT on shallow barge. Madness. Lost dive computer at harbor.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5066 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #110 (BSD 59)	22/7/2011
Dive Time: 09:19	Bottom Time: 49 minutes
Max Depth: 26.4meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 80 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (34/35).
Notes: Lead Dive @ Dredger Wreck & Reef w/Susanne, 4 clients. Porcupine, juvenile peppered moray x4, lionfish. Lost 50 bar inflating anchor parachute due to leak.
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5115 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters
Dive #111 (BSD 60)	22/7/2011
Dive Time: 11:15	Bottom Time: 35 minutes
Max Depth: 15.6 meters	Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD 3/2 full wetsuit x2, IST Proline LS Rashguard, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pocket, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins (34/35).
Notes: Lead Assist w/Susanne @ Grambazar w/4 clients. Early ascent. Lionfish, COT x3, clownfish x2. Found dive computer!
Seychelles Bottom Time: 5150 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 41.1 meters