Morgan and Debbie diary from Punta Gruesa

Another "crappy" day in paradise. Waking up to the sun (again!), diving in two hours, sunbathing, and . . . those “bloody mozzies.”

Day 1: Woke up to the sound of whimpering in the hut. No, it wasn’t Maura, it was Tammy giving birth to her puppies under one of the bunks, followed by Jess bounding in her normal flamboyant manner saying it was lovely that our hut was all women as we would all be sharing our experiences together (we could only begin to guess what she meant). What a start to the 5 weeks!

Duties: Favo(u)rite time of the day. Clearly, this is something we had to look forward to at 5:50 every morning for the next 35 days. Every day we have a delightful obligation of kitchen, communal, grounds, and boat duties which become second nature after a week and something we sorely miss when we get a day off. After four weeks, we are now adept in cooking for 35 people with one lentil, and now practicing turning water into wine (watch this space!), raking sand around the entirety of the base, cleaning toilets (going to the “loo” will never be the same without a bucket with which to flush staring you in the face).

Nationalities include, Malaysian, Mauritian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, Australian. . . . and. . . The Americans vs. the Brits. Thought Spanish would be the language barrier. . . . . .not so much. . . . . . getting to grips with “English“ is the main problem. . . . Who the heck says “loo” for the bathroom. And, would someone please tell the Ecuadorian to stop losing her water bottle and the Australian to stop putting her hand-made (with love from all Brits) corked hat in the Lost Property box. Raph always finds it.

Never was the scene from “Shawshank Redemption” with the beer on the roof so like many moments we’ve had here. People are about ready to stab each other for a piece of cheese and the silence that ensues upon eating it is very much like this scene. We also have our “Pringle Moments,” which we now associate with Punta Gruesa i.e. something you really crave, never normally eat, and just can’t get here.

It’s surprising how a flimsy mosquito net can make you feel so safe; it protects you from Tropical Storms (when you aren’t showering in them because your shower day is 3 days away), snakes, spiders, scorpions, crabs, staff wake up calls (to which you eventually become deaf), mosquitoes, everything but Maura (the Ecuadorian) waking up at 2 a.m. and flashing her “torch” (That’s a flashlight for all you normal folk) around the hut and talking, or dogs barking. Getting into bed without sand will never be the same again. In fact, one crazy Brit says she is going to buy sand and throw it into the fan she is going to place in the corner of her bedroom along with her mozzie-net. Oh, she also brought her hair straighteners. . . .to the beach. . . .without electricity.
On the days that we don’t dive we are fortunate enough to spot the “plastic fish” in the homemade aquarium in the lagoon lovingly created by the ever enthusiastically creative Steph.

TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is challenging. We wouldn’t recommend anyone saying “No” if asked to do this as it gives you the greatest satisfaction you can imagine. Also, you get to eat cheese. Word of advice, Charcoal stays on skin longer than you would think when helping with the mural at the school.

On a serious note, “Whoopie” and “Wahoo” are the most common words expressed during diving. Incidental sightings include, turtles—loggerhead and hawksbill—Nurse sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, Southern Stingrays, Yellow Stingrays, Great Barracuda, Goliath Grouper, and Squid. Giraffes and “Greater Spotted Jessica Fish” are not included.

Written By: Debbie “The Brit” Carr and Morgan “The American (with the NOW British accent)” Grant

Morgan and Debbie diary from Punta Gruesa