Recent feedback from Greg – April 2013

April 15, 2013

My time with ReefCI in Belize was the greatest experience of my life! I’m so glad to have had the opportunity!

When I arrived at the island it was even better than I could have imagined. I stayed in a cabana which was perfect for one person. I did not mind at all not having a washroom or shower in my room. It all worked out well sharing these facilities in the building. My view was amazing, as were the hammocks. The size of the island was perfect, as were the common rooms and dining room.

I was so impressed with the meals! Every meal was something new, and as a vegetarian the staff made sure I did not go hungry. The cakes were really good as was the eggplant.

I realize that my time of just one week was pressing, so for the time I had I was pleased with the conservation training of coral checks. Kaylee explained everything very well and took me on a dive to ensure my abilities to identify different coral. Then the next dive I was doing the checks by myself which was very rewarding.

I completed my Open Water Referral course, which was just the final open water dives. I finished my training with both Steven and Kaylee which was a fantastic experience! They were both very knowledgeable and made sure that the dives were as enjoyable as possible while still completing the required skills. I felt 100% safe underwater the entire time with the dive staff – for every dive after my training as well. We managed to finish the training fairly quickly which meant deeper dives faster. I was very pleased with my training and have gained much needed confidence to dive safely!

The diving itself was phenomenal. I was referred to as “the happiest person underwater” because I loved every second of it. The whole experience, between rolling off the boat and climbing back on, was spectacular. The different dive sites all offered different experiences, and the things I saw were unparalleled to anything I’ve seen before such as turtles, rays and porpoises. It was amazing to experience these things with people I had become so close to within a matter of days. The dive masters were always optimizing the dives – from running on the bottom of the ocean with Kaylee, doing backflips with Steven, Tracey pointing out many new creatures, watching Polly spear lion fish and being prodded with a stick by Simon!

The team at ReefCI were amazing. They were so friendly I felt like I had known them for years. They were so helpful with any questions I had, and made sure my stay was as great as possible. They were all very fun people to be around and made great teammates and opponents for the island volleyball tournament! I also loved everyone’s accents. The staff – as well as the other guests – were all such amazing people I already miss them so much.

The best part of my time with ReefCI was the diving. Every dive I did was special and exciting. Every dive I did, I dove with more confidence and was able to take in new things every time. My experience at ReefCI has certainly enforced my wish to continue diving! It is also notable that the boat ride back to Punta Gorda was quite a time.

I’m trying very hard to think of something that could be improved, but in Retrospect my experience was perfect. Even the things that could have been considered flawed just bettered the experience. I don’t know how any other experience will be able to measure up to the one I had at ReefCI. Coming home was so hard and now I find myself missing the caye and the people I had met while living on it. My nervousness of traveling alone for the first time dissipated as soon as I met Steven and Kaylee in the guest house, and any remaining worry I had was gone before we reached the island.

Thank you so much for everything you’ve, and the entire ReefCI staff, have done to make my experience absolutely fantastic!