Classed as one of the most advanced dives in the Maldives, the Kuredu Express gets its name from the currents and certainly earns its name! A channel dive in the Lhaviyani Atoll, it gives some rollercoasters a run for their money. … More Dive200 – #104 – Diving the Kuredu Express
It’s strange when I look back at all my posts since I started blogging and contemplate the person I was back then, and how much has changed. Girl, Independent was born back in 2011 out of a frustration to get away, at least mentally, from a job I hated and into a world where I … More Girl, on Independence
I’d been missing dive action, after spending more time in city breaks than in the water recently. So once again I headed off into the Red (blue?) Sea as a single traveller to sample the delights of live aboard action. Even though I’m now no longer a single girl, I’m still a single diver – thankfully live aboard diving is still a great option. This year, I decided to give the Southern Red Sea a try, in the hope of some shark action. … More Alone again (not really) – on the Grand Sea Serpent
One thing I learned about the Sardine Run, is that you never really know what to expect before you’re on the boat, out in the ocean, and dropping on a bait ball. For those of you thinking about it, here are a few hints I picked up. … More 10 things you should know before you dive the Sardine Run
It finally happened today. What I’d come to South Africa for. And it was stunning. … More Sardine Run Day 6: Into the Bait Ball!
Today started out with really flat surf, which was an easy if not surprising surf launch. It got even flatter, mid morning, and the ocean itself was like a millpond – which was utterly surreal, almost like being on a boating lake. No bird action, nothing. You could hear the surf crashing against the shore, miles away. … More Sardine Run Day 5: Into the Millpond
There was a glorious sunrise this morning, as we skirted out of the river mouth. The surf looked flat enough (to my very untrained eye) but watching the boat in front of us seemingly make a bit of a pig’s ear of their launch made me wonder if my eye needed more training. But Harvey negotiated it with little bother, leading me to believe a) he’s a good skipper and b) my eye is trained a little bit. … More Sardine Run Day 4: Into the water
As with most diving holidays, there’s an early start involved. Why Mother Nature decided the best things should happen at stupid o’clock in the morning is beyond me. But we’re up at 6.15, for breakfast and a 7.20 boat launch. It’s still dark. My wetsuit it too tight, and I’m walking like a neoprened Quasimodo. Im wearing a stupid red beanie hat, and I feel daft. But the adrenaline is more than making up for it. … More Sardine Run Day 3: Into the Boat
I’ve been to Africa a few times now; Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti and Egypt on many occasions. But this is the first time I’ve been south of the equator. In fact my first time south of the equator ever. Call myself a traveller? I feel inadequate. … More Sardine Run Day 1: Into Africa
At the start of the year, I was asked to partake in a cultural exchange. My boyfriend, an avid skier bought me lessons for Christmas: sheepishly admitting his present was, at that time, more for his benefit than mine – he loved his ski holidays and wanted to take me with him on the next one. Now, at that point, I fully admit to being a little apprehensive. My only skiing experience to date at age 14 had ended in a disagreement with a fence, and on top of that, aren’t holidays for going diving anyway?? Having had no prior knowledge of exactly what a skiing holiday consisted of, I was a little unsure. However, after realising the potential for a skill swap hiding in this opportunity, I agreed to try out snowboarding … More A Scuba Diver’s Guide to Snowboarding
Girl, Independent 