Matt 19, UK

My time spent in Fiji is, to date, the most memorable experience of my life. It takes your ordinary life to a new level. The most enjoyable things for me about the Xtreme Gap Fiji Programme were:

The friendships I made with some of the group members for which I plan to visit in their home towns in Europe;

The very close interaction with the local Fijians, who are quite honestly the most sincere people on the face of this earth;

And I experienced some of the most pristine diving in the world – I can’t remember a single dive that was not enjoyable!
I was, of course, taught another step in my future development as a PADI Instructor. I was deemed Rescue Diver certified by the end of the six weeks, by Colin, who is an exceptionally fine instructor. And I certainly learned much more than just diving…

I learned a lot about myself, and what I want to achieve in life. It matured me in so many ways – in understanding other people and their differing cultures, and I even still use a few of the Fijian phrases that you cannot help but learn. The Fijians love their word, “Bula!”

I got to experience everything that a person seeks in paradise. I got to stand on the top of a tropical mountain overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean on several occasions and on several different islands. I got to taste new foods that I have become obsessed with – and the fresh fruit you can sometimes grab right off the tree is some of the most splendid stuff in the world – Lela (Kelera), the project leader, who I like to think of as my mother away from home, taught me all the names, both Fijian and English, of every type of food that exists out there! You can learn a great deal from her if you want to. I got to dive within 8 feet of hammerhead sharks, and loads of fish and coral of all kinds of bizarre shapes and colors. I got to experience nights out with my new friends and drink the local beers, and go dancing. I even got the once in a life time opportunity to work with Johnny Singh, the marine biologist, of the Jean Michelle Cousteau Resort, whom I hold in the highest regard – he’s a very cordial and funny little guy! I got to relax on the beach and get a tan I might still be wearing even a year later! And the most monumental experience I had was meeting a German girl, named Katharina, whom I fell in love with…
It’s an all around relaxing and eye opening adventure. Don’t pass it by if you have the chance to do so, it would be a travesty to not experience what I like to think of as the “epitome” of what life should be like. I believe all who are interested in the Fiji dive, conservation and culture programme will be corresponding with Xtreme Gap, who I can’t express how great an impact they have had on me, and how genuine their hopes and intentions are for us young people who come from all over the world! Enjoy! And “senga na lenga” (no worries – be happy)!