My diving course

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Im in Whangarei at the moment where Ive been completing a diving course with this company called O2 Below and staying at their hostel they provide for us.
I completed the course and I am now a qualified SSI Advanced diver with specialties in Deep Diving, Wreck Diving, Night Diving and Navigation Diving.
Its been an amazing experience! Ive met some great people over here. The owners Dave and Nyree have been brill. Its like Im back at home, like getting my washimng washed for me, as well as if Im stuck on any thing they would gladly give a helping hand. They also arranged a diving trip to Waipoa (3 hr trip) just so I could visit the largest public Kauri tree in nz it was crazy! Also my Dive instructor 'Owen" is a sorted guy. We're really good mates now we even share the expression 'Kissing the Guns' which is always funny as he tries to put his low northern english accent on for it.

But by far the best bit about my trip here has been my diving trip to the Poor Kinghts Island. Rated the 10th best diving spot in the world by Jacque Custoe (the inventor of diving) Sadly I havent got any pictures for under the water there but it is amazing! The visibility underwater is about 50m, the water is so beautiful - cyrstal clear blue. Ive seen heeps of different types of fish, differnt colours of fish Its just a whole other world at the Poor Knights. Just some examples of the types of things Ive seen. Ive seen huge stone fish with its deadly spikes, the stingrays with their tales up, thousands of Angel fish, snappers, John Dorys, the list is endless.

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Photos

Me the crayfish hunter
Look at my catch!

The Poor Knights trip
Ruku Ruku cave

Tane Muhuta
This tree has the diameter thats 13.77metres! Its ridiculous!

Me kissing the Guns
it almost looks kinda spiritual..

Comments

[kaite]

miss you
It looks so good ben, glad u havin such an amzing time but mising you so much! wots next then?? and wen u off to ausie land?? enjoy, love u x x x

[Mark]

Better than working for living
Hi Ben It looks like your having a great time - the pictures are superb Did you every find the Mermaids bar in wellington ;-)??? All is well back here - your sister is out choosing wallpaper and cussions every weekend - and i'm keeping my eye in with Pro evo. You won't be able to get near me when you come home! Ha ha. Speak to you soon and keep working on those guns. Mark