I fell in love with the underwater world when I snorkelled for the first time in Corfu, Greece in 94. However, snorkelling wasn't enough... I needed to stay down longer and go deeper.

The following year, I snorkelled some more and became ever more interested about scuba diving. I attended my first theoretical Scuba Diving class in Ayia Napa, Cyprus (Lucky Divers) and what I heard was scary, with lungs and eardrums bursting, eyes coming out of their sockets and all kinds of nasty things if you didn't follow some simple rules.

But in 1997, filled with courage, I took the PADI OPEN WATER course in Sosua, in the Dominican Republic (Northern Coast Aquasports Dive Center). I hated all the drills in the pool and felt claustrophobic. But when I had my first open water dive and was greeted by hundreds of colourful fishes (including a seahorse), I just wanted to stay down there forever. It's the most amazing sensation, flying in the blue exploring a completely different and extraordinary planet.

I then tried to dive back home in Portugal, in the Algarve (Sagres). When I hit the cold water, all I could see was murky grey, so I climbed back onto the boat and decided never to dive in Portugal again. The owner of the dive centre convinced me to accompany him the following day and promised me that I would see a lot of life - and I did! You don't have the diving-in-an-aquarium type of experience, but finding something interesting is worth that much more. So, I decided to become a better diver and took the ADVANCED PLUS and MEDIC FIRST AID in June 98 in Sagres, Portugal (Centro de Mergulho Ilhas do Martinhal).

In October 2000 I took the RESCUE DIVER course in

Sesimbra, Portugal (Nautilus-sub).

Now, I dive when it is possible - in Portugal: Sagres, Sesimbra, Portinho da Arrábida (Portinho Divers), on the U-1277 in Leça da Palmeira (Clube Naval de Leça) and the Brenha in Póvoa (CASP) or in Spain: O Grove (Argo Sub); (Bahía-Sub); (ESCOSUB) and the Cies Islands, Bayona (Prodiving).

During the Summer holidays I select destinations with good diving: 

Malaysia (1998) - The Pulau Payar Marine Reserve in Langkawi (Langkawi Coral) and the Perhentian islands (Steffen Sea Sports); 

Mexico (1999) - Cozumel (Aldora Divers), including The Devil's Throat (a vertical entrance to a Swiss cheese!); 

Egypt (2000) - Sharm El Sheikh (Oonas Divers) and Hurghada (Emperor Divers); 

              

Jordan (2001) - Aqaba (Aquamarina Diving Center);

Madeira (Jun 2002) - Garajau Nature Reserve (Tubarão Madeira Diving Center); 

Thailand (2002) - Phuket (Marina Divers) and Phi Phi Islands (Leisure Dive Center), where I saw a whale shark for the first time;

The Azores - Faial (Apr 03) (Norberto Diver), where I had probably the best dive ever, as well as having seen common and bottle-nose dolphins and a sperm whale; 

Belize (2003), where I saw manatees for the first time - Ambergris Caye (Amigos del Mar and Hustler Tours), including the famous Blue Hole; 

Cuba (2004) - Varadero (Barracuda Dive Center) and Cienfuegos (Whale Shark Scuba Center);

Indonesia (2005) - Tulamben, Bali (Pro Dive Bali) and Gili Islands (Dive Indonesia);

Maldives (Apr 06) (Ocean-Pro Dive Team); 

Honduras (2006) - Roatán (Coconut Tree Divers) and Utila (Utila Dive Center), where I took the ENRICHED AIR DIVER (NITROX) course; 

Micronesia (2007) - Palau (Sam's Tours), including the magical Jellyfish Lake and Yap (Beyond The Reef);

Costa Rica (2008) - Playa Hermosa (Diving Safaris);

Porto Santo (Jun 2009) - (Rhea Dive);

            

Australia (2009) - from Cairns (Silverswift -Prodive) and (Reef and Ocean Quest Liveaborad -Prodive) and from Port Douglas (Poseidon);

Tanzania (2010) - Pemba (Swahili Divers);

Maldives (Dec 2010 - Jan 2011) (Euro-Divers);

          Panama (2011) - Isla Coiba (Scuba-Coiba and Panama Dive Center and Bocas del Toro ( Starfleet);

          Canary Islands (Apr 2012) - Tenerife (Aqua-Marina Dive Centre).

I've been a DIVEMASTER since August 2001.

 

The reason why I love the sea I cannot explain. It's physical. When you dive, you begin to feel you're an angel.

Jacques Cousteau

Yes, I love it. The sea is everything. It covers seven-tenths of the terrestrial globe.
Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert where man is never alone for he feels life, quivering around him on every side.  There is supreme tranquility. The sea does not belong to despots. On its surface iniquitous rights can still be exercised, men can fight there, devour each other there, and transport all terrestrial horrors there. But at thirty feet below its level their power ceases,  their influence dies out, their might disappears.
Ah, sir, live in the bosom of the waters! There alone is independence.
There I recognise no masters! There I am free!

Captain Nemo in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Jules Verne