Throw back to 2012, where 18-year old Mae first touched Mexican soil and dived into it’s beautiful waters on the East Coast Yucatan Peninsula. It was here that I first embarked on my journey to becoming a diving professional undertaking my PADI Divemaster. I had one of the best adventures I could have asked for, meeting some friends for life, growing into the person I wanted to be and was fuelled to continue on the path that I have.

In February, I was able to return back to Mexico 5 years later, but this time to  La Paz on the Baja Peninsula, to join the Cortez Expeditions team for a few weeks of diving and adventure! I had already been “wow-ed” by the marine mammal life of the Sea of Cortez with the National Geographic Lindblad expedition around the peninsula but the proximity of marine fauna to the town of La Paz confirmed how plentiful this sea is. The gulf is thriving with life, and I wish I had the super power of X-ray vision to see all the marine creatures in their 3-dimensional world, swimming in the underwater mountain range of this special body of water.

Luke and Affy make up the Cortez Expedition Team and were the best hosts for my time spent in La Paz. Luke recently was awarded Runner-up 2018: Underwater Photography Book of the Year for his gorgeous collection “The Sea Lions of Los Islotes – The Jewel of Espiritu Santo”. The book is an insight into the the Sea Lions that live on the island of Los Islotes just out from La Paz and displays some beautiful images of their mischievous behaviour.

I think it’s fair to say that Luke has an affinity for these enchanting creatures who dive, swirl and cheekily tug on your fins. They are so easy to fall in love with. It was a joy to dive this site with Luke as he knows the Sea Lions well after diving here for 15 years.

However, that was enough of the fun diving. Down to business.

After a series of events, I ended up signing up for the PADI Instructor Development Course with Luke to embark on my next journey up the diving professional ladder. To be totally honest, I never saw myself becoming an instructor at the beginning of my scholarship year. As still a young girl settling into the diving industry, I thought that I wasn’t ready to impart wisdom neither take on the responsibility of teaching others how to dive.  But after the year I have had as the European Rolex Scholar, I have been exposed to such an array on diving experience that I feel that I was capable of becoming apart of the instructing community, not only to teach diving but share a love for exploring the undersea world.

It was an intense two weeks being whipped into shape in terms of theory and practicality. But I had an awesome buddy, Shea, who was the best peer to embark on this journey with and to help each other out. We soon found out that one persons weakness was the others strength and as a team was able to complete the IDC!  Luke was also a fabulous mentor imparting all of his wisdom as an instructor for over 20 years. Another adventure in Mexico helping me carve a path in the underwater world, who knows what next time will bring…

This beautiful part of the world is special, known for humpbacks, schooling Mobula rays and Whale Sharks. However, the only whale shark I saw, was unfortunately washed up on shore. I heard that this poor individual had been caught in an abandoned fishing net and was swimming around the harbour for nearly 4 days entangled before it passed away. It’s important to ask where our fish food is sourced from and how it is caught since, as I’m sure you’d agree, we have to protect these magnificent animals so future generations can experience their grandeur. And if we can’t stop people from fishing… maybe we can make sure we take out those nets before they do harm.

I was lucky enough to help out on a Fourth element photoshoot whilst in La Paz where all the swim wear is made out of recycled ghost fishing nets, these are the nets that are left behind by fishermen. Nets are collected from the sea and turned into Econyl which is used as the thread for the swimwear. Not only do the bikinis look gorgeous, but they are also good for the sea.

 

I cannot express how mind-blowing this part of the world is… as I made my way down to the airport in Cabo, my bus journey entertainment down the coastal road was watching Humpback whales breaching not too far from land… Quite the farewell party.

Thank you to Luke Inman for hosting me, I’m glad you enjoyed my salads so much! A big thank you to Rich Somerset and PADI for helping me sign up for the IDC, I am excited to complete it all with the exam soon! And Miss Katie Ayres for always making me laugh. I hope one day soon I’ll be back when they weather may permit more diving and to explore these lucrative waters once more.