Hail to the Hive!

Well the time has come, it would seem, to draw to a close this particular chapter of my life. After Seven years here in the Philippines managing a dive shop, I’ve made the decision to resign and move on to pastures new.

It’s been an interesting ride ,to say the least, with lots of ups and downs great characters and more than a few adventures along the way.

I’m not really feeling sad about it as it really is time and the timing , with everything really slow right now, is perfect for my successor to take the reins and move the whole show forward.

As i look back on my time here it’s without doubt the people that have passed through and many that returned time and time again that i will remember most as it’s been a whole heap of fun times. That goes for all the instructors that have worked here (many of whom were guests before they decided to come back and work) the local staff (most of whom have been here the whole way through) and of course all the divers that came through the doors from literally all over the world.

In all my years of working in dive centres in Jamaica, Mozambique, Zanzibar and Florida I’ve never experienced anything like it with the guests being from so many different places from all over the world. I remain in contact with a large number of them as the dive shop always seem to cultivate a home away from home & being part of the family vibe.

We’ve been planning this for a while and it really hasn’t been a difficult decision. The lockdown in quarantine provided the perfect setting to take stock of everything and really think about what was important to us and what we really wanted to be doing moving forward. As beautiful as the Philippines is, deep down we always knew we wouldn’t be here forever and if anything we probably stayed too long.

I feel pretty good about my friend Phil taking over from me as I leave as he’s always been part of the dive centre family from way back. Even when he went to work elsewhere for a few years he was always part of the vibe here and it was no great shock he came back to us last year, it seemed very natural as does him taking on managing the place.

Knowing what makes us tick here and the genuine personal way we go about things is a very important part of the dive shop philosophy we have always had and he really understands that.

I will miss the people and the vibe for sure. I was like a vampire feeding off the energy the dive shop created it was intoxicating.

Somehow all the elements of all the places I'd been before I managed to fuse together and create a truly unique dive shop. I'm sure it wasn't to everyones taste but the vast majority really just fell into our arms. It was a glorious time.

Safety first always as when you have that element sorted you can justify the fun element. Never the other way round.

Looking through these images I can't help but smile.

Instructors and divers of yesteryear and repeat divers and current staff. We created some real magic.

I'd be telling fibs if I didn't admit to a little dinking of an evening but the sunsets and tthe company made it impossible to resist.

Ask yourself what you would be doing if you were inserted into these images.

Pop a message below and let me know. haha

The fact that we became part of and contributed so much to a lot of peoples adventures around the globe and the great feedback we received fills me with so much happiness. When you can do that and it's actually your job it really is something very special.

Are you still with me? I'm getting emotional 😉

So here's to the future of the dive shop and more power to Phil and all the team. I am pretty sure they will come out the other end of the pandemic tunnel with a better dive centre and a great vibe to welcome all divers and travelers both old and new.

Do me proud Phil! I know you will. Cheers!