April 12 2013-04-11
There’s always something exciting about getting on a plane
with a one-way ticket. The excitement comes from the fear of the unknown, the
chance of adventure, discovery and exploration of new characters and
experiences.
When I got up in the morning of April 12th 2013 I
ran through what has become a bit of a routine for me. Head fuzzy from the
leaving drinks the night before as I lumber my over sized baggage into the back
of my dad’s car. I turn to my mum and give her a long hug while we both stay
strong and hold back the tears, knowing that voice will be our only interaction
for the coming months. After talking through last minute logistics down the M1
we arrive at the Heathrow, check in with a playful smile to the lady at the
desk so she over looks my extra kilo’s then settle into a final coffee with the
old chap. Once again the holding of tears keeps us both strong and im released
through security.
I have a new travel rule – DO NOT transit through Miami
airport, it sucks and I always seem to blank it from my memory. After nearly
missing my flight due to government budget cuts im on the final leg. All that
remains now is to sneak under the customs radar of The Turks & Caicos and
I’ve made it.
I awake the next morning in the hotel room after a few Gin
& Juices with the new purser the night before. We leave it til the last
possible moment and head over to the boat to begin week one. When we get on
board it’s like I never left except there’s a few changes to the crew. A crew
really makes a boat what it is and I really thinks its going to be a good year.
The fact that I am only sitting down to write this in week two is a testament
to how much more I am enjoying this year than last.
I have a new vision this year and a fresh focus as to why I
am here, a plan some might say but it really is in the roughest and flexible
sense. But as im sure you already know, that’s just how I live my life.
The diving is as amazing as the year before and im sure
there will be plenty of adventure and tales to recount. Life has many cross
roads, all of them with positives and negatives, trying to quantify every
detail is impossible, some times you just have to take that leap of faith,
enjoy the positives and learn from the negatives.
