Under water in Elba

Finally back in Italy. This time not for climbing, but for diving. I wanted to go to Elba already last year but I didn't have enough time. So finally now I found a week which looked just right to spend some relaxing days on the island made famous by Napoleon. And yeah, there are his ex-houses you can visit, but as I had other priorities, I really didn't bother. He wouldn't be home anyways...

I found reasonably prices flights to Milan, checked if Roberto, my travel mate from Borneo would be home and also let Tanja know that I'm going and wouldn't mind having company.

All worked out well, Tanja got some time off and Roberto joined us for a few days.

We rented a holiday apartment in Portoferraio, where the ferries run from Piombino. On the first day we drove around the island checking out some cool spots and just enjoyed the sun and warm weather. What a difference to Finland!

Rooftops of Portoferraio

Roberto had a friend living in the island who recommended us a dive shop. Tanja also decided to go for Padi OWD after a test dive (discover scuba). I joined a few other divers and went under surface 4 times in 4 days. Meaning only one dive per day. Which was anyways for sure enough, as all dives were very long, from 45 to 59 minutes. And all also very deep, always at least 26 m. On the last day I also joined the 30 m club as my dive computer recorded 31,8 m depth. Well, it doesn't really make any big difference if you're in 10 or 30 meters, just the visibility gets a bit poorer.

It's hard to say how the diving is in Elba as I really don't have enough (basically any) experience. Especially not from Europe. We saw a tuna, a few octopuses, a cloud of barracudas, morays, lots of sea stars etc. For me more important was to gather more experience and just to learn. How to move and not to move. A big thanx to Diving in Elba, great people and excellent guidance for a absolute beginner!

We had to leave Elba already on Friday even though our flight back was on Saturday, as the connection to Milan was a bit complicated. Rental car ended up being much easier and also cheaper than bus&train&train&bus -connection. We made a short stop in Pisa, took a look at the tower (yes, it's collapsing) and spent the night in Viareggio.

Once again, I got really sad when I had to board the plane and go back to Finland. But well, only 2 weeks and I'm back in the plane, this time flying towards Nepal!!! Once again :) Yayyy!!!