If there is one thing I have learned through spontaneous travel - its not to force plans. Often better to just go with the flow.
A growing uneasiness about the Sumatra plans, friendly warnings from friends, a dive partner canceling, difficulty booking the ticket, missing my wake up call & waking up at 11am today (when I always wake up by 7am) missed the flight, all flights are booked till next Monday. Of course I could go to another airline, take a different route - impose my plan.
But at some point when so many details conspire to keep you from your goal - I think it better to just go with the flow.
Humm here I sit in the hub of the cheapest airline in SE Asia... where else would I like to dive??? Decisions, decisions. Its sad to let the adventure in Sumatra go but ya know I really miss Manado and Lembeh Straights. So many cool exotic critters - like a time out from the action adrenlin diving for a marine biology lesson. Such a strange world with tweeky fish geek photographers and really weird marine life. The perfect environment to test the buoyancy/trim and fine tune kicking & practice that elusive back kick in a fun environment where its much needed. Get out the magnifying glass, fish ID books, practice shallow breaths and flawless hovers, cause the critters might just be 1/8 inch
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As soon as I mentioned the decision and not forcing the flow, suddenly the rock solid customer service agent who assured me she couldn't refund any of my ticket, smiled and started with creative keyboard clicking. Within a few minutes the tickets to Manado were booked with a very small balance to pay! Ah and I found a great resort that just so happens to have vacancies for my exact time requirement ;-)!
Ahh off to hunt for the elusive Mimic octopus! And tweek out staring cross eyed at sea fans for pigmy seahorses. (oh did I mention I found my first pigmy seahorse in Anilao the other day - yes I found it!!!)
Now my growing uneasiness has melted into a a smile.
Honestly, after Coron Wrecks and the currents of Anilao a break from intensity is a welcome thought. I need the vacation fom my vacation! Now a break from challenging diving to focus on technique for a few -then heading to the dramatic Komodo underwater dreamscape with raging current!
Banda Ache - Sumatra - well hopefully I will see it some other day. Now on to the best Muck diving in the world!!!
Can't wait for the night diving! Oh how I wish I had a great camera!
If I get lucky I can snag some pics from another photographer and post awesome shots here!
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