Hello! It’s Bunaken Divemaster Trainee Dario again, this time writing from the beautiful island of Bunaken. I came just right after a VISA-run to Singapore and couldn’t wait to get back to the Divemaster course, wonderful nature and smiley people in Indonesia!

Life as a Bunaken Divemaster Trainee is definitely different compared to Nusa Lembongan and Gili Air. Forget about warungs, aircon, bars and grocery stores: here is just nature and two quiet villages. A great chance to detox from technology and modern life. And I’m not getting bored at all! Diving the wonder walls in Bunaken is just breathtaking and full of vibrant life. What to watch? Corals on the wall or big fishes in the blue?

Since the very first day, the ocean welcomed me with many local beauties: blacktip reef sharks, eagle ray, frogfishes, blue spotted ribbon tail ray, sea snake, tuna and of course the macro life: pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs and others. Big thanks to the very experienced eyes of the local guides and Manager Colin for spotting me the macro life of Bunaken!

A few days after I arrived, Shanu got her PADI Divemaster certification and we had a celebration together at the Deco Bar. Not before giving her the dreaded “snorkel test” to pass! Not long until I have to pass the final test too!

One week as a Bunaken Divemaster Trainee already flew by. While here I completed my final theory exam and practiced the PADI Divemaster required skill circuit. Thank you, Sophie and Maia, for the infinite patience and your time spent in the pool with me:) I’ve also got to know the local sites by assisting the guides when diving with customers. Learning how to guide is definitely effective when done in the “field”!

I’m now heading towards my last part of my PADI Divemaster internship, some more practical challenges are waiting for me and I’m sure ready to tackle them!

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