Ok, so officially last rant of the season. I say rant...I mean words of inspiration and wisdom right?! So the busiest week of the year is drawing to a close and I can say, after four solid days in the water I have had fun. We have a fantastic team at the dive shop right now which certainly makes it easier, and forgive me for being a little bit sexist here but for the first time we have more female divemaster and instructors in the dive shop than male. For those of you that work in the dive industry you will know for sure that this is not the norm. And may I add, they are an exceptionally kick arse bunch of ladies.
We have had lots of new divers coming through the center this week, people gaining their scuba certifications as well as fun divers and the water this week has held up well. I think my one and only low point of the week was possible being reminded how low other people can be sometimes, when the ever "wonderful" trip advisor rears its ugly head. Yes I really mean ugly head. We have been full up this week, on some trips for well over a month and on booking all clients are informed of the cancellation policies. Yet, there are unfortunately people in the world that feel that it doesn’t matter your position as a business, or that you have been turning away people, if they cancel a day or 2 before, they should have a full refund. Their way of securing this is by "threatening" you with trip advisor. Yes, really. Along the lines of "I am aware of your policy but if you can see to grant us a refund, this will be reflected in our words on Trip advisor". AAAGGGHHHHH!!! Seriously, some people are such "Plonkers!!"......notice the use of a very fluffy word there. That thing drives me nuts. I get that it is a good source for information when traveling to places, and I have honestly used it sometimes, but you really must take everything with a pinch of salt. If whoever happened to write that email is reading this you are a complete plonker and it’s called Karma, dude. Seriously.
Okay, rant over, words of wisdom will proceed, I just had to get that off my chest.
Last dive of the year is just heading out now and after closing up shop this afternoon we will be heading out to celebrate. I think I will take a chill day tomorrow as with the Tec 45 class starting on the 4th there is no rest for the wicked. I have decided to put in a Shark conservation program into the IDC in January. Is that a good thing? Input welcome. I figure with all of this shark hype at the moment it would be good to start spreading the word a little bit. And yes, being as we are one of the destinations to dive if you want to dive with sharks I feel it is appropriate. They have had a lot of bad press recently and now with the Australian culling that is a possibility it is starting to look bleak, after so much hard effort. So, new year, Yeah to the shark with the first IDC.
Words of wisdom for the new year,
"If you believe in what you are doing, then let nothing hold you up in your work. Much of the best work of the world has been done against seeming impossibilities. The thing is to get the work done." DALE CARNEGIE
I am living my dream here in Costa Rica. If you believe that that is you calling then don’t stop.
Happy New Year!!!!!