I’ve had many great experiences while traveling, making choosing one a tricky task, however, the first time I dove the Great Barrier reef is definitely one of my tops experiences. I flew into the Cairns airport late, arriving in shortly after 11 pm and making it to my accommodations by midnight.
The next morning I was up at 7 am for a reef trip; I should have been tired having just traveled half way around the world but it was my dream to dive on the Great Barrier Reef, leaving me the opposite of tired. I felt electrified and couldn’t wait for my day to begin.
The boat ride out to the reef was beautiful. I laid under the hot Australian sun soaking it all up, somewhat in a state of disbelief; less than 48 hours ago I had been in three feet of snow in New England, and now I was in a scene straight off a postcard, on my way to one of the natural wonders of the world.
On arriving at the dive site I was practically humming with excitement, I suited up and without complaint, though perhaps somewhat impatiently, waited for my turn to jump in. Five minutes and one giant stride later I was descending, and it was the most breathtakingly spectacular moment of my life.
I literally had to remind myself to breathe because I found myself holding my breath in awe. While descending I allowed the beauty of my surroundings to wash over me and was overcome with feelings of serenity and happiness, feelings which will live on in my memory for the rest of my life.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Our company is unique because we offer sustainable vacations that not only rejuvenate a person’s body, but also their soul.
We aim to provide programs that are specially aligned with and respect local lifestyles, stimulate the local economy and promote environmental education and conservation.
Our volunteers not only get to enjoy a thrilling vacation but are able to simultaneously make a positive impact on the world around them. Our company was built on the desire and passion to make a difference in the world around us. That core belief goes into everything we do and that’s what makes me profoundly proud of my team.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I would choose our Costa Rica trip; not only is Costa Rica one of the most beautiful and vibrant places on the planet it’s also a front runner in sustainable tourism.
Beyond the beautiful setting of Costa Rica, this trip is my top choice because it allows me the opportunity to interact, and positively affect, not only young children but endangered and unique wildlife as well.
Having the chance to repel down a jungle waterfall is just the cherry on top with this trip, as far as I’m concerned!
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
A company is successful not only because they have a great product, but because their staff and clients have something you can’t teach - passion. Our staff as well as our travelers have an immense desire to make the world a better place through positive change and genuine person to person interactions.
By offering a responsible travel experience, our travelers have the opportunity to have positive impacts and make real connections with people they may have otherwise not had the opportunity to know.
