Asia – since 2022
A quick summary of the places I dived at in Asia since obtaining my PADI OWD license in the Perhentians (Malaysia).
After falling in love with those little islands and the underwater world, I continued to seek out dive shops wherever I could find them around Asia. In the beginning those weren’t really world class dive sites, I mostly cared about gaining more experience. This is how I ended up diving in Koh Rong Sanloem, rather than Thailand.
I quickly realized that while the common factor in diving around the world is exploring the wonders of the sea, the experience varies a lot depending on different countries’, islands’ and people’s customs. While in Southeast Asia most dive shop staff and other divers speak English, this is hardly the case in East Asia. In South Korea, Taiwan and Japan for example I often had to resort to Google Translate to communicate. But once underwater, the internationally recognized sign language brings everyone together.
One of the highlights of my (short) scuba career was the week I spent in Cebu to get my AOWD license. I mostly chose the location due to the easy access from Japan, cheap prices and recommendations for Moalboal from fellow divers. My instructor ended up being super supportive and I loved the female representation in the shops and on boats there. Thanks to Jimmela, I also went to Malapascua during the trip where I enjoyed the best small island since the Perhentians.
Fully hooked on diving, upon returning to Japan I couldn’t wait to get back under water. I must have talked about it too much, since I even got my friend Neha intrigued enough to plan a joint trip to Bali where she got her OWD license. Playing among the Mantas there will always remain a special memory.
After Bali, I somehow survived an almost 1-year long surface interval. While trekking in the Himalayas the longing for the bottom of the ocean finally got too strong again and I ended my trip through India with a blissful week of diving in the Andamans. The place felt so special, I returned only a few months later for another week long stay.