From a “nuclear explosion” of a multicultural potluck to the heartbreaking twinkle in Catherine’s eye. A journey through turkey, shakshuka, and the impending grief of leaving home.
Utila – Week 6, Day 7: Spaceships on Christmas Eve
From the “ROSL” (Rolling Over the Seafloor) euphoria of forty meters to the clinical hum of a hyperbaric chamber on Christmas Eve. A journey through island routines and heavy hearts.
Utila – Week 6, Day 6: A Hungover Baby Jesus
From the “Baby Jesus” hangover of the century to the decision to finally lose my tattoo virginity. A journey through post-graduation bliss, dried blood, and Photoshop scribbles.
Utila – Week 6, Day 5: The Legend of Baby Jesus
From the “natural high” of 40 meters to the chaos of the most scandalous divemaster graduation in Utila history. A journey through narcosis, dolphins, and a “BJ” manger.
Utila – Week 6, Day 4: The Final Skull
From the “underwater paradise” of Ted’s Point to the final skull on the scoreboard. A journey through tangled reels, Captain Paul’s bad-boy navigation, and a Baby Jesus costume.
Utila – Week 6, Day 3: Sidemount Survival
From the ” Rolex-grip” on my tanks to a PTSD-inducing swim-through. A journey through sidemount redemption, tangled hoses, and feeling like a pro compared to Monkey.
Utila – Week 6, Day 2: The Successful Loser
From the epiphany of the “Successful Loser” on a musty bunk bed to the legal-ish thrills of a propeller plane runway. A journey through bat caves, beaches, and a long-overdue reset.
Utila – Week 6, Day 1: The Tank Incident
From picking up 50 bags of trash to the adrenaline of a World Cup final and a terrifying tank loss at 45 meters. A journey through guilt, glory, and near-misses.
Utila – Week 5, Day 7: Sidemount Struggles
From the “descent disaster” to looking like an underwater spider with a rogue bladder. A journey through sidemount failures, badass trim, and the leap of faith.
Utila – Week 5, Day 6: Underwater Gardening
From the zen of “underwater gardening” at Bando Beach to the horror of green blood and fire coral stings. A journey through 800 transplants and sidemount dreams.