Lake Malawi is known for its amazing fish population- several thousand types of cichlid and frankly there is no better way to see a lake than from the bottom.  So that’s how we found ourselves our first night in Nkata Bay- at the bottom of Lake Malawi- looking up at the full moon.
Night diving in Lake Malawi was an incredible experience, and for our first night dive it was the perfect place.  As the dive master said over and over again, there is nothing that can hurt you in the lake: no sharks, no rays, no crocodiles (at least not near Nkata Bay!).
As we flipped out of the boat and reassembled our dive group at the bottom I couldn’t help …

Wanted: Rest and relaxation for two weary travelers starting their travels in Africa.
Found: Tofo Bay, Mozambique.
Back in September we met a wonderful group of South African’s in Bolivia. Upon hearing our arrival date in Johannesburg they quickly informed us that well, the entire country is on holiday from mid-December to mid-January. Translation: transportation, accommodation and activities would be completely booked or ridiculously crowded and overpriced. Ouch. So our plan, at their suggestion was to hang out on the beach in Mozambique for a week or so and let the crowds have their fun and go back to work.
That was the plan. What we found when we arrived in Mozambique was an ideal little vacation spot on the Indian Ocean. We …

We earned our PADI Open Water Certifications through Underwater Vision in Utila, Honduras. Recommended by friends of ours, Underwater Vision was a great place to learn to dive or just dive in general. At the time we were certified (May 2009) PADI Open Water Certification was $250 including accommodation, equipment, certification classes and dives, and two fun dives. In total we had 7 dives for that price, which we thought was pretty good!
A laid back atmosphere, Underwater Vision has a comfortable feel in the classroom and in the living area, but a professional feel out on the boat and while diving. We felt that it was the [ad#reviews] right balance of island laid back and professional. …

**This post was created prior to the earthquake of 5/28/09– We are NO longer in Utila.**
Let’s face it, we do a lot of what most people would call “extreme” sports.  We mountain bike, whitewater kayak, compete in off road triathlons and do as many adventure races as possible.  Generally if there is an adventure sport/activity out there we want to try it.  For one reason or another, neither of us had ever tried SCUBA diving.  Not exactly a sport, but certainly an adventure.  I have a hard time snorkeling, really who likes to breath through a straw,  so when we inquired about taking classes in DC last fall I was needless to say, thrilled when it turned out to be …