17 Nov 2007 — I saw my first turtle diving at Pineapple Reef today. In fact, I saw two. I squealed with delight, not so much because I saw them, but because the promise that I will see them for the first time today was fulfilled. In the last few minutes of the dive no less. As if that was not enough, my massage with Nui didn’t get bumped. Seriously? A 6pm appointment on a Saturday? With Nui? This is too much… it ended at 7.30pm, the sky had just begun to turn dark, but not quite, there was the faintest hint of pink and violet left in the horizon. I was in a state of bliss. In this state, I was untouchable. Just as well. Death must feel this good.

The beauty of the Maldives stirs something deep within. It moves you in a profound way. How did I come to be here? To witness this perfect night before me? How can anything faze me here when I am in the midst of grace. No, nothing, it is all good. The rest, just let it slide. All is forgiven. In this place, my heart expands to match the vastness of my surroundings and the magnitude of God’s benevolence. Can I truly bear this beauty? And how shall I bid adieu come January? I shall return. I must return.

15 Nov 2007 – It’s been a week, how time flies… I didn’t have high hopes for my birthday. It’s the first I’ve celebrated “on my own” in a long time, and to top it off, Yukiko who left a few days before for her vacation was not even around to celebrate it with me. Not that I’m the sort that makes a big deal of these things anyway. So yep, the day arrived and still I had no plans, save to dive.

And dive I did. It was a lovely day too, perfect weather.

This time my dive master was Bobo.

And Yoshi was there too.
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