Ile Aux Cerf - Movie!

Not many single days can compare to the day we spent this past weekend touring around the coastal island of ile aux cerf.  The day comprised of back to back thrills strung together by transportation aboard a private hired speed boat.  The journey commenced in high flying fashion with an aerial view of the island while harnessed into a parasail.  The following waterfall surprised with naturally formed cliff dives, rock slides, and back massages.  We then dinned in high fashion, enjoying our beach grilled chicken, doral fish, and lobster, with the typical dessert of fresh pineapple.  The day could have been a wrap but a new slice of ocean beckoned for exploration.  We dawned our snorkels and hovered over the shallow coral with unabashed fish approaching at close quarters.  Incredibly escaping without a sunburn we docked around 4pm, exhausted and weary of the cross country drive home.

To commemorate the day I tested my hand at some home film making.  Here's the product.  Hope you'll enjoy!

                                           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x2PQbTHEFc

Birthday Surprise

Last year I celebrated my 21st birthday with a knee surgery and crutches.  That put a heavy damper in the usually highly celebrated occasion.  This year, as a consolation, I am claiming the entire summer for my birthday.  It just so happens that I am residing on an exotic island paradise during that period.  Makes for a pretty sweet birthday.  But in a complicated turn of events, I received even more reason to celebrate.  In leaving the United States for this worldly adventure, I regrettably said goodbye to my beautiful girlfriend, Jena, for the three month summer.  On Thursday, that goodbye turned into a mere two week separation.  At 6am I sat at the airport anxiously awaiting the arrival of the greatest present of my birthday summer.

Jena and I have quickly embraced the excitement of our adventurous summer.  On her first full day here we explored the depths of our new backyard, enjoying the sights of bright coral, parrot fish, Moorish Idols, and schools of convict fish.  On her second day, to enjoy water of a different form, we headed south to the Eureka Waterfalls.  We endured the chilly water for a fun day of hiking and splashing around in the cascading water.  Finally, I let her slow down and take a day of relaxation and tanning on the beach before she started her first week of work as a political intern at the United States Embassy.  I eagerly look forward to two more months of shared adventure with my favorite birthday present.

Open Water

Within minutes of reaching 12 meters down to the ocean floor for the first time, my dive instructor, Omi, spots a small octopus and pulls him from his hiding space in the colorful coral. He plays with it for awhile as it spews out black ink and I watch in amazement.  

The morning started without a plan.  After a quick glance out the window and a view of calm seas, Omi was on the phone and within 45 minutes I was sitting alongside my mom and Omi as we performed the customary scuba diver back roll off the boat, collected ourselves, and descended for my first open water dive ever.  We performed two dives of 28 minutes and 27 minutes.  I displayed my mastery of specific dive skills while surrounded by beautiful coral and fish of all colors.  

One day later with two more dives into the beautifully blue Indian ocean, I became officially certified as an open water scuba diver.  What a great way to cap off my first week in Mauritius!  Can't wait to see what the next 11 have to offer.

Find the Fish