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Published: October 23rd 2010
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Leslie is now a Junior Open Water Padi holder...well done Leslie! What a week! This entry is about only one thing, the passion of a family for sharing life together, this is what make me think life is so great!
I have introduced Ma'ri to diving two years ago in El Nido, Philippines. Over the last two years, Ma'ri has now dived in more than 10 countries...and the year is not over, but she is already totaling 85 dives. Back in El Nido, Leslie did his Bubble Maker...a kind of dive trial specially made for the little ones. But since then, he has been waiting for his 10th birthday, and the chance to dive...like the "big guys". I still remember seeing him in Gilis back in June 2009...a junior diver of around 11 years old was getting to the water, while he was "only" snorkeling! You should have seen the eyes of Leslie...he couldn't wait to be 10!
So this week is important, I would say first for Leslie, but also for the proud parents that Mari and I are today.
As last year, we decided to dive with Dream Divers in Gili Trawangan. This time, we stay
first two nights in the Sheraton Senggigi, than one night on Trawangan before finishing by 2 nights back at the Sheraton Senggigi. This was the opportunity for us to try different places.
Security is paramount for me when I put my just turn 10 years old son to the water...and Dream Divers did raise to the level, thanks to them. We told Leslie, you want your Padi for your birthday, fine, but before this, you've got to read the book...and the book is targeted for adults, not pre-teen! But Leslie did properly read the all stuff. Due to that, he avoid spending to much time reading the Padi book during his "studious" holidays!
We dived 4 days on Gilis Trawangan. These are 8 dives each for Mari and I. The best part...my 300th dive was done at the exact same time Leslie had is first open water dive (for non-divers...this means in the sea and not the swimming-pool). He went down to 12 meters...I went down a little deeper. 300th dives over the last 6 years and half...next goal, five hundred...but better goal, I have now dive in 25 countries, the aim is 40...and only the best...well, I
can also dream, no?
We had to limit the pictures...I could have uploaded hundreds of them. If you are a parent, you know what I feel, if you are not, wish you could have the same feelings on day. Leslie has to do 4 open-sea dives with his instructor before being certified. He had a great, and very patient instructor, Avis. Thanks Avis! On the last of the 4 dives...we did a family dive. Avis, Leslie, Ma'ri and myself. Suddenly it's weird, I don't care anymore if we see 2 or 10 turtles, I'm diving with my son, I'm 36 years old, and diving with my son...no tears, just a lot of joy...and to be honest, a hint of proud.
Leslie has a lot more to learn...well...first we could improve his posture under water to make him a little more efficient. But he had no problems to take out his mask to clean it...a safe diver...maybe not yet an efficient diver!
What a week! For now, Leslie will be limited to dive to 12 meters...Mari and I are going to 30 meters down...sometimes even a little more. I will also limit him to one dive a day,
as it is impressive how dead he is after a dive...12 hours sleep a night enough after diving, not sure?
Some Dads enjoy the side of the soccer field to see their athletic kids running after a ball. Leslie loves soccer, but he will never reach any great level. Do we give him the passion of diving, or does he acquires it by himself...just ask him. One thing for sure, he loves diving with us, skiing with us...and when the course is not too tuff, even playing some golf together.
This is the point, the point is we are blessed by sharing things together. We don't play "taxi" to a pre-teen...we try to bring him to the adult world, smoothly, slowly...
What a week we had! And I know I should not say I, but we as Mari is sharing all this joy with me, and as she is giving so much to him, she deserves obviously most of the credits!
We are a family of divers! Next dive coming soon for Mari and I, Leslie will need to wait a little. But what a week in the Gilis. For more technical info, read our entry
back to June 2009 about the place.
Oh yes, something fun. I thought there was a early flight from Mataram (Lombok) to Bali, I was wrong. So in order to catch our lunch flight from Bali to Bangkok, we left our hotel early, very early. First, an hour taxi from Senggigi to Lembar. Than a local ferry for 4 hours followed by 90 minutes in another taxi to reach Denpasar airport. Oh, and it was seriously cheap! I didn't know what to expect from the ferry, but ours was pretty empty, well air-con, and very very clean...nice experience.
Next entry...from another dream place...you will have to wait (I've got to work!)...but not too long!
With Love from 3 of us back in Bangkok. PS...next week-end will be spend with Tiffany, but I will leave the honour to Mari to blog about this.
Wish you a lot of love and bubbles from Bangkok from 3 of us!
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Chris and Nikki
Chris
Fantastic picture, I can only imagine how proud you must have felt after his first dive.