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May 13th
The destination was Mnemba Island, very small atoll off the coast of Zanzibar. The island is and surrounding waters are part of a marine preservation and so it is ideal for scuba divers and snorkelers.
We got on the boat around 9:30am and made our way up the coast to Nungwi Beach, where Nicio, Justin and our instructor Deus were to be picked up, along with our lunch for the day. It was raining cats and dogs for the pickup and the beginning of the trip, but luckily the rains don’t last long in the rainy season and by the time we made it to Mnemba it was peace and sunshine.
We got our BCD’s (buoyancy control devices, the vest that holds the air tank and also inflates) ready along with our wetsuits and weights. The first dive was for exploration and the 2nd dive was another skills test but this time at about 14 meters, or about 40 feet or so. That first dive was amazing, it was along a wall of coral and the colors and visibility was amazing. Unfortunately I couldn’t use the camera mask for the dive because (A) the batteries had
died and even though I had plenty of triple A replacements, they weren’t the special “lithium” type and so the camera wouldn’t even stay turned on, and (B) we were to be diving at a depth that was more than 10 meters, or 33 feet, which was as far as my camera mask could handle.
Maybe it was meant to be, fate, that I wasn’t able to record the beauty of the waterworld below, my own memory that I keep inside in a treasure box in a dark corner of my memory bank. You’ll just have to go yourselves and experience it first hand! I will say that it was single handedly one of the coolest experiences in my life. Feeling almost weightless and comfortable 40 feet below the water, surrounded by fish of all shapes and sizes and colors. The corals were also soo amazing, you can imagine since it is a preservation area and all.
The second dive (after a nice lunch on the boat) was also special, we spotted blue eels as well as a few that were goldish green, Tiger fish were also spotted here and there. After the second dive was done we
were lucky enough to spot some dolphins about 50 feet from the boat. Everyone quick jumped to their fins and snorkel masks and swam with the dolphins! I was late on the trigger though, as I was taking pictures so I didn’t get that close to them. I did see them for a split second before they made away, it was still special though.
We made our way back to Nungwi and Kendwa shortly after ur encounter with the dolphins, dropping off Nicio, Justin and Deus along the way. After getting to Kendwa I met up with Cameron and we had a couple beers with our new friend Frank, from San Diego. Also we met a Canadian from Nova Scotia (so random!) and had some drinks before going to a dance party. We danced out butts off, me especially cause it had been a good month (at least) since a Club David night back in Sioux Falls.
After getting it out of my system I headed back to the hotel room and passed out, wishing I had only a few more nights on the island. We were to leave Zanzibar the next day early in the morning.
Anyways, hope you like the photos and stories so far!
Until next time, Pura Vida and Hakuna Matata!
-Brendan
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