The expedition…

I spent two weeks on Hoga island, a small research base run by Operation Wallacea in the middle of the Wakatobi Marine Park in Indonesia, a region of very high coral reef density. During the first week, I gained my PADI Open Water qualification and during the second week I entered onto a Reef Survey Technique course where we learnt how to determine reef health and conduct transect based surveys underwater. The trip was incredible, and I could not recommend visiting this part of the World enough. The sheer biodiversity of the sub-surface world was stunning, the local people were an absolute pleasure to be around and I met some amazing, like-minded people from all corners of the World. Thanks to the GoAbroad scheme for supporting my trip.

A few snaps…

Buoy 2-Last dive complete, a big grin and a not so big island in the background.

A Seascape with a Sea Krait-one of the World’s most intoxicating creatures, and a paltry ten times more venomous than a rattlesnake.

Found him-Two jokers and an anemone.

Coral for days-all manner of shapes, be they swirly or curly.

Lionfish-a pest elsewhere but a local to these parts.

A rare few clouds-but no rain to spoil the view.

Sunset-a boatload of biological buccaneers make their way to an uncertain future.

Dive shed-twice a day every day, this is where dreams are realized.

Busy bees…buzz buzz-It may look like a lot, and that’s because it was.

‘Kuda Laut’ and ‘Teripang’-Seahorse and Sea cucumber, an unlikely pair

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside-oh I do like to be beside the sea…