After coming to the end of the first week in Guinjata, I really have learned the true meaning of “paradise”.

Starting off the week with padi open water training with Josko, allowed us to feel safe and confident when going to Casa reef: we heard the whales so close and on the boat saw so many breaches!

Yudmila took us through many lectures: teaching us about the importance of LTO and their wide array of projects all contributing towards the establishment of the locally managed marine area. I found the fisheries project the most interesting as it interlinks almost all the projects.

Coming up to the weekend we were fully knowledgeable about the organisation and ready to start fishery, transect dive and megafauna research in week 2.

Meeting and becoming friends with all the staff and volunteers, makes the organisation feel like a family as well as a team. From working together to collect BRUVS, Friday nights playing games in Jays restaurant and walking to the top of the world.

My time with love the oceans has been incredible so far and I cannot wait for what’s in store for us over the next few weeks!!

~Lucie