TBD: September 2013

Home, sweet coconut trees at the gate to base

I realize it has been a while since I posted anything on this blog. I apologize. I’ve been too (fill in the blank with any two suggested words: happy/tired/busy/lazy) _____________ to update this. After at least two emails from concerned friends and family members, I decided to update this, as you are probably lacking in ridiculously beautiful island photos that will make/ruin your day.

Anse Royale

Takamaka Beach

There have been a few changes since my last post. I am now the base manager here at Cap Ternay. I know, I was shocked too. Last year, I came out here as a divemaster intern and met at the base manager and thought, wow, how did she get that job? Looks awesome (and hard), maybe someday I could do something like that. Cut to a year later and I am. Crazy how things work out! The community coordinator job now belongs to the very talented and capable Charlotte who will do a better job that I ever did looking after all of the community programs and playing with the kids from the President’s Village. In fact, check out our latest fund raiser and support us here: http://www.justgiving.com/beachesofmahechallenge

I have a new title and new responsibilities, but everything else is pretty much the same. I work with super, awesome, amazing groups of volunteers and staff, live in a gorgeous country with some of the best beaches on earth (refer to CNN article here) and am so grateful to call the Baie Ternay Marine Park my office. My commute to work involves driving Manta, our well-loved dive boat.

Manta in Baie Ternay

I can’t walk past a souvenir shop without looking at all the coral for sale, identifying each one with their full names while mourning for the loss of each little coral polyp that give it’s life so it can sit on someone’s coffee table.

Pocillopora Pocillicoporidae, Stylophora Pocilloporidae, Acropora Acroporidae, just to name a few (and some giant clams)

I can’t walk through the fish market without doing a fish spot or looking for sharks. In fact some of the fish that we survey here are seen more often on the cement slabs in the market and rarely seen on our actual surveys. Here are a couple.

Red Emperor Snapper

Longnose Emperor

Guitar Shark :(

I drive on the other side of the road sitting on the wrong side of the car (at least for the Americans). I can cook slightly better than I did before, or at least can cook something edible for up to 32 people on short notice. And no, not just pasta red or pasta white.

My weekends involve going to “town” (Victoria) to stock up on supplies or exploring the island and visiting new, lovely beaches when it is sunny or catching up on movies and TV series when the weather isn’t so great. How have I not seen How I Met Your Mother before? Brilliant show. Life here is simple and it is good. Wait, I take that back. Life here is great and keeps getting better.

I have rejoined the millennium and have a smartphone again, thanks to my awesome sister, so I can be a bit more in touch. I promise to keep posting photos and things to remind you all that I do still exist on the other side of the world. Much love from Seychelles!