I dislike the water, I dislike it very much, it gives me anxiety, and makes me uncomfortable  but I decided to totally get out of my comfort zone and try diving in Gili Air.

Of course I went to trip advisor to find the best place for it and on my first day there I booked a dive.

The next day I was there first thing in the morning. I met my instructor, Vivian from Colombia, who talked for more than an hour about all of he rules and all the things I have to know and remember to dive. The talk got to be a little bit too long and by the end I had forgotten half of what she had said!

After the extensive introduction it was time to put on the wetsuit and practice the skills. We walked to the beach and went in the shallow end. The water was a little rough and my stomach was getting sick, probably because I was so nervous.

Once in the water Vivian went down and I started to go down… and by down I mean ONE meter! haha It was not deep, I  knew I would be safe but somehow my brain couldn’t handle it! I had trouble breathing, my nose wanted to do the breathing and not my mouth! Once I went a little down I completely stopped breathing and asked her to go up. I told her I couldn’t do it, I told her I needed time, she told me I was ok, she told me that I needed to try again.

Down we went again and she made me hold a rope and I held on to that rope for dear life. This time she looked me in the eyes and made some signs to calm down and breathe. She then proceeded to use hand gestures to breathe in and breathe out; I slowly was able to do this with her but since my nose was the one wanting to do all the breathing I decided to just squeeze my nose with my fingers and focus on breathing through my mouth.

After I kind of got the breathing down I had to practice taking the regulator (the device that allows me to breathe) out of my mouth for a couple of seconds and then blowing it to get the water out. Once she started doing it I just got super anxious and I tried to make signs that I couldn’t. At that point my brain had total control over me and it was bringing me down. I had to think positive and look at what I had accomplished so far and don’t give up. I made hand signals to Vivian that I just needed to keep on breathing and couldn’t try the regulator just yet. 

After a couple more breaths she looked at me and signaled to just watch her and then I was ready. I tried taking the regulator out and did the exercise and I was ok! Nothing happened, I got it.

Then, it was time for the harder exercise… I saw Vivian take the regulator out and let it go, she had to recover it from behind her shoulder so first she leaned onto her right side, then she looped her right arm under the hose and brought her left hand to her right palm and moved her left hand up the right arm until she got the hose, then put the regulator back in her mouth. I wasn’t really sure if I could do it so I kept breathing and trying to re-center myself and focus; after a couple of breaths I was ready, I tried, and it wasn’t all that bad.

Now it was time for the real stuff!!!

I got on the boat no problem but a little worried about sea sickness since I didn't take anything for it. The water was very choppy but it was only a very short ride so I was ok. On our way Vivian helped me get all my gear on and said “the way we go in is a little unusual so I won't tell you until we are ready to go so you don't get nervous"... Ok... That did not work, I got anxious! She should try not to tell people until it's time, that's how you avoid getting people nervous!

The way in wasn't all that bad, you just have to kind of throw yourself out of the boat backwards while you hold your mask and the regulator! It was actually kind if fun!

Once in the water I was impressed by how comfortable I was. Vivian had decided to put a strap between the two of us to help me stay close to her and guide me. I think it was the best option because I didn't have to worry about anything other than looking at the pretty fish. I quickly was able to breathe normally and really relax and go with the flow. I did not freak out once, I was strong and I didn't let my negative thoughts take control!

The dive was pretty cool! From the beginning we saw some really cool fish! We found nemo in an anemone, saw puffer fish, eels, and even two turtles who swam around me!

We were underwater for 45 minutes and everything went well, I didn't die and I had a good time looking at all the pretty fish and coral!

The next day the people at my hotel (actually the one guy who had english I could understand) asked me if I wanted to go snorkeling and I said not really but then he said the price was Rp100,000 (less than $8) so I went!

The trip was good, I actually liked snorkeling around the hundreds of turtles and little fish we saw.

After the tour was done I was at the hotel and the owner asked me how it was and I said good but that people were touching the turtles and she said that it was ok, that turtles are used to the tourists! OMG! I couldn't believe her! I had an urge to tell her that it wasn't right, that it was disrespectful to go into their environment and disturb the creatures but she wouldn't get it so I just quickly said that in the U.S there are rules about it and one can be fined if you come too close or touch a turtle... she just said "Not here, here Ok to touch turtles"... insert angry face emoji!