Goin' Diving

I've just signed up to go diving this weekend. I will take a 45-minute high-speed ferry to just north of the Sumatran mainland to the island of Pulau Weh - also known as Sabang, the name of the main city on the island.

Before the tsunami, Pulau Weh was off the beaten track due to the 30-year conflict in Aceh Province - the gateway to the island. But Sabang was a spot that attracted many backpackers with its idyllic setting - lush tropical forest, crystal clear water, and rich marine life offshore. Many travelers ended up extending their stay; prolonging their original itinerary by months if not years.

The island did suffer from the tsunami, but despite its proximity to Banda Aceh, where over 120,000 people vanished, according to reports, only 12 people on Pulau Weh died. Iboih and Gapang, two of the more popular destinations on the island, suffered substantial damage. Beach front dive shops, bungalows, and restaurants were destroyed. Since then, many of the small businesses have returned because Sabang has become a popular spot for stressed out aid workers to spend the weekend and decompress.

The Lumba Lumba Dive Shop located in Gapang had its roof lifted by the tsunami, but is fully operational once again. A Dutch couple operates the shop and certifies new divers. This weekend, I'm going up there to do an Introductory Dive - which is a half day program that includes basic theory and a dive. If I decide to be fully certified, I will have to go back for 3 more days to complete the certification for Open Water diving.