From Christ rising from the tomb to the holy word of electrolytes. A journey through island fanaticism, PADI Platinum discipline, and the soul-crushing FOMO of a grounded kid.
Utila – Week 3, Day 1: The Big Hibernation
From 25 successful dives to a febrile mess in a dark room. A journey through tropical fevers, missing the sunset, and the long-awaited gossip of the island.
Utila – Week 2, Day 7: A Devilish Smile
From new GoPro tests at the Halliburton Wreck to staring down a Goliath Grouper. A journey through navigation wins, DSMB trials, and a battle with PADI bureaucracy.
Utila – Week 2, Day 6: A New Routine
From assisting my first Advanced course to becoming the island’s unofficial masseuse. A journey through buoyancy squares, marching bands, and the world’s worst pasta.
Utila – Week 2, Day 5: Thanksgiving Triumph
From pathetic fallacies and exam marathons to the triumph of the whiteboard. A journey through skill circuits, Thanksgiving feasts, and a bittersweet goodbye.
Utila – Week 2, Day 4: The Lionfish Hunt
From a biblical hangover to the adrenaline of the lionfish hunt. A journey through bloodthirsty dives, feedback reality checks, and a mid-training crisis in Utila.
Utila – Week 2, Day 3: The Potato Massacre
From botched gear prep and bruised knees to the art of spearing potatoes. A journey through 24 scuba skills, venomous lionfish, and a biblical tequila hangover.
Utila – Week 2, Day 2: The DMT Journey Begins!
From tropical storms and PADI curriculum scares to the secrets of the gear shed. A journey through steep learning curves, island life, and the first day of training.
Utila – Week 2, Day 1: Welcome to the Staff
From budgeting battles and double rainbows to the maze of the reef. A journey through underwater alleys, pufferfish secrets, and the start of a new career.
Utila – Week 1, Day 7: The Hell Dive
Surviving the “hell dive” and finding Barney. From treating sandfly bites to earning the “Old Man” title, Day Seven brings certification and another whale shark.