KAPPOWWWW. I have arrived at Liquid Dumaguete. Not in a fanfare or to a 21 gun salute, but in the only way I know best – sweaty, a little bit tired, massive bag on my shoulder (I had put my rucksack inside a larger dry bag to enhance its capacity) and a HUGE/excited smile on my face.

Hurdle #1 was easily overcome seeing as Mr Liquid Dumaguete aka Tim was at the airport in Dumaguete to pick me up. The best part for me was he had a board with my name on it (check out the photo!) so as to heighten our likelihood of recognising each other. I have never had that privilege before so things were already looking good and it was irrelevant that I was the only bearded white guy on the flight.

I kid you not. I feel like I have landed in paradise. I had the news broken to me that the staff quarters had not been built yet and so I would have to sleep in one of the beach front bungalows. Tough life for some! I am not showing off, but have a look at my view! I genuinely thought that views/houses/situations like this only existed in dreams and holiday brochures. From my personal experience, holiday brochures are as true to life as Lord of the Rings.

Who am I? Why am I invading your screen? How did I end up here? How do I get my hair to look THIS good? All questions I will answer in good time. We, no doubt will become old friends who regale our grandchildren with stories of restraining orders against each other and bar fights due to disagreements on the principles of modern art but for now, here are the basics. My name is Adam WonderBear Detre and I am working at Liquid Dumaguete towards my PADI DiveMaster qualification. So I do have some purpose to my life. I have spent the last four months training, living, and working in the jungles of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo as part of a working-out-what-I-want-to-do-with-my-life journey’. I am not a fan of the modern use of the word journey. It is horrendously pretentious and horribly faux-liberal. Before this recent incarnation, I worked in a political communications company where I met a good man named Gav. It was a balmy sunny evening in early April, in the pub, after a few drinks that we started talking about my trip and he mentioned how his best mate Zoe was opening a diving resort in the Philippines. I emailed her that night. The rest is history.

Let me paint you a picture. You drive through Dumaguete towards Dauin on the island of Negros along the coastal road. The island is full of life and colour with breathtaking backdrops in every directions. The people are laid back and friendly with smiles being flung about with gay abandon. 20 minutes later and you turn off towards Liquid Dumaguete. To call this turn-off a road would be EXTREMELY generous but fortunately ‘The Lobster’ (the LD dive jeep) is well equipped. The hallowed gates appear and we turn in. BAM. You are hit by serenity, happiness and warmth – emotional and physical. You/I have arrived. I was gently ushered up to the bar/restaurant which is COMPLETELY open with view out towards the ocean. I mentioned the beautiful backdrops but they have NOTHING on the soundtrack to Liquid D (I am still trying to work out how to shorten the name). The ocean is the best piece of nature’s music that I have listened to. There are lovely people bustling around, it is nigh IMPOSSIBLE to carry anything for yourself without one of the many capable and friendly staff taking it off at a gallop to your destination. I’ll stop gushing now. In a nutshell, this place is heavenly. I feel very lucky.

Within a few hours I was in the pool with SCUBA gear on learning my first lessons. Day one, ended as with every other day with everyone eating dinner together. The food is perfect. A nice blend between slightly experimental (see spicy fruit and vegetable salad) and comforting (see breaded freshly caught fish and parsley boiled potatoes. Every day has been highlighted by heading INTO the water - twice at Publacion and Cars and twice OFF THE BOAT (checkout the pictures) at Masaplod North and Dauin South. By the end of day four I had six dives under my belt everything but my final test to do to pass my PADI Open Water Diver. I. FREAKIN’ LOVE IT.

I shan’t start to talk the big talk about diving (yet). At the moment, I am very aware of being a complete rookie. BUT, the oneness created by the peace and weightlessness coupled with the necessarily slow breathing is not replicable. I am happy and proud to be the first at the Liquid Dumaguete DiveMaster Academy.

Just as a bit of a side note. There is ONE song that I thing will forever remind me of this first life changing week. Have a listen to Is Love Enough – Michael Franti & Spearhead feat. Gentlemen.