Palau
There is this saying theory if the three fell in the forest and no one is there to witness it, does it really make it sound ? If you saw a absofuckinglutely awesome sunset / sunrise or anything else that left you in awe and there is no one to share with you does it really count ? Palau was one of the locations where when diving I realized that sometimes, the moment what everyone is trying to capture on camera is moment best shared with someone, right then and there.
After landing at Palau, what was a little bit similar to the Hawaii as the airport is simple one building and hot I met my driver as I have booked a week in West Malakal Hotel what is stone throw away from the pier. Also the hotel is close to the Sam’s Tour where I plan to complete my IDC and hopefully get a job as dive instructor and guide.
Woke up after some nice sleep and went for a little walk to get a local SIM card and some food in the downtown, before show my face in Sam’s Tour. Down town is nice as far as I can see the one long road with all the shops and services and side streets lined with houses and apartment buildings.
With new SIM card activated and in the mobile I was alive again 😊 I mean I was on the net and therefore I am as would teenagers nowadays think. Now is time to walk to Sam’s and see what can be done regarding the IDC and possible job.
Sam’s Tour is tucked nicely at the back off the main road, with private pier right at the sea side, where the access to the water is literally step away from the seat on dry land. Relatively big operation on first look with compressor room and cylinders, lined like solders at the fence. Walked to dive shop where asked for Andy the boss whom I did exchange some emails prior my arrival. Directed towards tinted glass door at the corner I went to meet the face behind the email name.
He did not recognized my name at first but then, when I mentioned the emails and IDC his face lighted as he remembered the name. So we did walked towards the smoking area what is the famous “water cooler” spot in every office where most of talking is done. Talked a lot, exactly whole day as he also drove me around downtown and showed me around so I know whereto shop, eat , etc. After the whole day and slow introductions to mostly everyone in the shop It was time to head to hotel and get some sleep.
Since I came week earlier to arrange necessary things to be able settle down here at this lovely piece of land in middle of nowhere I did went to some property management offices to ask about accommodation. However not before I got a some nice food in local store, where at the back they are serving the hot food cooked on daily basis. Then back to meet Andy as he offered me his car to be able get around the island. Hit the road towards the biggest island and looked for more accommodation around the road I picked few ideas and contact details. As i drove the petrol was needed and I stopped at the petrol station, get it twenty dollars’ worth and some tip for the person who filled the tank. Glad to tip him as when I sat down and turn key in the ignition, there was huge silence as the car did not even clicked. Guy straight away get to me and we pushed car sideways as his mate parked Nissan Micra opposite side and jump leads were connected so I could start the car. Up and running I left petrol station and went to explore island.
Drove slowly around the main road without stop, better say without turning off the engine, I stop few times but generally just drove around and admiring the lush greenery of the island around me. Bird sanctuary, jungle river rafting and capitol were the main attractions I will come back to for detailed exploration when settle in.
Got back to the Sam’s Tour informing Andy about his car security feature to not start with someone else behind steering wheel than him we laughed at it as apparently it had happened only once in past. We sat at the famous “water cooler” smoke area and he mentioned that there will be poker night and if I’m interested, which I was. Few more introductions to some other staff members and then chat with some of them, answering the questions and then was lunch time. The poker night came and it was held at some apartment of one of the instructors and we had to be quiet since his other half was on the phone i.e. skype doing interview. So we dealt the chips and started to play. The game was fun and nice but since I lost I decided to leave and also it was midnight so time to sleep.
Andy did mentioned that he would like to hire me in April and then I will take exam in June for IDC and meanwhile we could work on the work permit. He mentioned that big boss Dermot is the one who had main decision and that we need to wait for him to say Yes or No after he will return from new yar party. That sounds good since I had to board the liveaboard for week of diving and that gives some time to Andy and Dermot to sort thigs between themselves as if to hire me or not.
One more meal in the local shop, swimming at lovely public beach to refresh myself in this hot weather. I went for one more walk and coffee with banana waffle in the down town and back to hotel to pack bags. Left bags at reception and since I have time until boarding the receptionist offered me massage to relax. Well few moments later the car pulled in the hotel and Chinese lady took me to massage place where the other Chinese lady did work out on me ‘massage only’ until I was so kneaded like dough. The funny thing is that the door was always ajar open even when I was undressing and funnily enough she did not even turned face away when I dropped my shorts. I have no shame and I do not care if anyone sees mini me, since I’m nudist. Same thing when dressing up while she passed me shorts and waited until I dressed up.
Back in the car on the way to hotel the lady mentioned, that if I come earlier I might have her apartment for rent since she is going to china visit her family for two months. Well missed such chance of cheap accommodation but what can I do, it is what it is. Back in the hotel with two more guys waiting to board our liveaboard, one old Canadian and one young Indonesian. Here we are three amigos who never met before, waking together to the pier, rady to board the boat for week of gluttony and diving.
