Celebrating life today!

Today, a year ago, I dived Purple Cave just outside the reef of Blue Bay, Mauritius. I was travelling solo for the first time in decades and the first time since becoming mobility challenged. During the beginning of my stay, unfavourable weather conditions kept me confined to my studio flat, before I could start diving. I travelled to Mauritius planning to dive as often as possible, being new to SCUBA diving, after having waited two decades to be able to do my Open Water Diving Certificate.  Saying that I was eager to get into the water would be a huge understatement. I started diving as soon as possible, although the weather still kept us in the lagoon on my familiar sites.

Then on 17 June 2023 we had perfect weather. A completely windless and clear morning begged for reflection photographs as I took the bus to my dive centre. I anticipated a fantastic dive, what I did not anticipate was how it would change my life! I had what my dive log refers to as “The best dive of my life!”

I concede that it was only my 19^th dive, but it was truly perfect in many ways. It was my first dive outside the reef. I studied Coral Recognition and saw a huge diversity of large healthy Corals as we started our descent. Their surface structures mesmerised me, as until then I was looking at most of them on photographs only! I dived a tunnel too! Euphoria had me sucking air at a rate I hope to never repeat! Back on the boat I couldn’t shut up and my talking had me making friends with two brave girls, my captured audience.

They invited me for a supper, a night at a very cool local bar and more. The morning of the Purple Cave dive, I was wondering how I was going to leave paradise and get onto a plane home, as I was starting the last week of my stay. My new found social life gave me the courage to postpone my flight. When it became time to leave again, I visited Immigration and postponed my flight once more, staying in paradise as long as possible.

Five months later I was returning to paradise, where I felt I dropped anchor in the azure water of the beautiful old Grand Port of the Mahebourg lagoon.  I thought I had an opportunity to work on a coral nursery. My mission since my qualifying dives in December 2022 was to be involved in coral conservation. If I could clean a nursery, do coral transplantation, or conservation advocacy or fundraising for a conservation NGO or make tea for those who came out of the water from the nurseries or other projects. Anything I could contribute to the common goal – saving the reef – would have me living my dream!

Life does not always play out the way we hope or plan. I did have a fabulous three month stay in paradise again, though. I maxed out my credit card to get underwater, as my planned trip had me underwater on a coral project, not leaving a dive budget. I developed a sense that I lost my dream, as time showed me that the opportunities and connections I thought I had were not getting me into a project. I had to accept that there was no opportunity for me to volunteer the skills I have to support a team of Sea Keepers. My French improved and I learnt things about myself that I would not otherwise have known. I had a lot of time in my flat again, as we had the wettest January/February in recent history. Three cyclones in less than six weeks. During this time, a friend told me that those who could not appreciate my passion, commitment, positive energy and creativity were the ones losing out and that I should not for a moment consider waiting for anyone or anything to be included in a team of Sea Keepers. I should just live my wonderful life.  

My last dive, before returning home, was with this friend, the buddy I made on my Purple Cave dive so many months ago. This time we were diving Lobster Cave together. Again I was in awe of the lava structures, tunnels and an arch, as well as the vast diverse coral surfaces with their intricate patterns and colourful inhabitants. The tunnel’s sides and ceiling was covered in tiny sea fans coloured bright orange and purple. We moved ever so carefully as not to touch these fragile lives accidently. Apart from the black and white Nudibranchs and these tiny fans it was a day of bigger discoveries. I saw the largest Moorish Idol to date, flaunting its long dorsal fin in a trailing crest and flashing its bright yellow and black banners. We were surprised by a snake like Eel, a very large one, but he was shy and moved to hide amongst rocks. A grand Moray Eel was less shy and did not mind being seen. To my delight the bright purple Crown of Thorn Starfish, which I saw on this site previously, was there again. This time, not hidden under rocks but out in the open and glorious to behold.

We were two groups of divers, a full boat. When it came to handing up gear and getting back into the boat, it was a busy time. Instructors and crew were fastening tanks, storing gear and such. I was on an adrenaline high and decided to not wait for the usual assistance to get up the boat ladder and into the boat – my mobility challenges need someone to assist and stabilise me. So I used all the strength I had and managed to pull myself up the ladder, my legs only able to get onto the second step from the bottom. I then stretched out my arm to grab hold of a strut and pulled myself into the boat with my left arm, while stabilizing myself with my right hand on the side of the boat. I did it! I got into the boat without help. A major sense of achievement!

I have been back home now for two months. It feels like much, much longer since I said my goodbyes at the dive centre and to my friends. This past week I booked a flight back to paradise. This time it is different though. Not only will I be going in the peak diving season (expecting good weather) but I have also come a long way in personal growth! I am not trying to kick open any doors in marine conservation, neither am I begging for an opportunity to gain experience in coral farming and transplantation. I am going back because I like being there! My landlord is welcoming me back to my “usual flat”, I will be walking next to the sea, speaking French and diving with a fabulous crowd. There will be lots of laughter and time to read, as I do not bother to turn on a TV when I’m there. I will spend time on the beach. Swim in the pool, a couple of steps from my flat, after a long invigorating walk and possibly snorkel at sunset with a friend. I was promised that upon my return we’ll flambé bananas on the grill outside and I know there’ll be island vibes and much to celebrate.

On the island it is said that we are not made for tomorrow – we celebrate life today!

By Lynette Gerber-Lochenkov