Diving in the Red Sea 🤿

This was me last Friday:

My journey back to the States turned into a 40+ hour travel saga, so I made the call to delay last week's Friday email until today. Plus, it gave me some time to process all the amazing experiences I had during my freediving trip in the Red Sea. Specifically the importance of completely disconnecting from technology.

Let’s dive in.

Hey, this is Kelsey, and you’re reading the SiteSee newsletter. Expect an email from me every week filled with tips for living a location-independent lifestyle and the gear to get you there.

Travel Story✍️

When I signed up for a freediving liveboard adventure in the Red Sea back in February, I didn’t have many expectations. My best friend Maria and I had recently completed our freediving certification in South Africa and were eager to put it to the test.

Just last week, our long-awaited trip finally began. 

Stepping onto the sailboat that first day, Maria and I were taken aback by its size. We hadn't anticipated just how small it would be. The boat accommodated 10 people in total: 4 staff members, 5 divers, and our incredible dive instructor and trip leader, Nikki.

Our room was tiny. We shared a bed and had our own bathroom. But it was one of those where you use the faucet as a shower, making the whole floor wet.

To add to the challenge, there was no cell service or Wi-Fi available throughout the entire trip. I hadn't gone off the grid like that since before getting my MySpace and Razr flip phone.

That first evening was rough. I caught myself reaching for my phone out of habit. I was concerned about not being able to respond to client emails, or at least have the flexibility to check them.

But by the time day two arrived, I felt incredibly disconnected from the world. The boat's size no longer concerned me; in fact, I found comfort in being close to everyone and realized I didn't require much space.

The most amusing part of the experience was that when I did regain phone service, I discovered that all the emails I had been fretting about had been resolved. Clients managed things independently, and being unreachable for a week wasn't the end of the world. In fact, it empowered others who depended on me to handle things themselves.

For the rest of the dive trip, we spent four days swimming amongst dolphins. The remaining part of the week was dedicated to exploring various reefs and a shipwreck.

Taking a deep breath and descending 15-20 meters beneath the surface transported us to a whole new realm. In those 30-45 seconds, I ceased to be just a human; I became a part of another world. I watched fish glide past, listened to the water's gentle hum accented by my own heartbeat, and marveled at the vibrant hues of the coral.

Interacting with the dolphins taught me the art of moving slowly. I learned how to descend gradually and seamlessly blend in with the pod, avoiding the need for splashing and frantic kicking to keep up.

But my favorite part of the trip was when we explored a shipwreck.

A Chinese boat from the 1940s lay sunken beneath the waves, its walls painted with ancient Chinese characters. Remarkably, even the bathroom remained intact, preserving a moment frozen in time. 

The boat's previously corroded surfaces were now adorned with hues of pink, blue, and yellow coral. Clams nestled within the coral, opening and closing occasionally as you swam past. Schools of fish had reclaimed the space, turning the main cabin into their thriving underwater home.

What was once a scene of devastation had transformed into something breathtakingly beautiful. The boat, originally meant to sail the open seas, found a new purpose resting on the ocean floor. 

And in my opinion, its current role is even better.

Perhaps, that was its destined fate all along. It just took years for it to transform into what it had become: a thriving habitat for coral, fish, and divers to explore.

And I think many aspects of our lives follow a similar pattern. 

What may seem like a speedbump or even a disaster in the present moment, might actually be the beginning of something beautiful. 

We just need to give it the time and space to evolve into what it’s destined to be. 

Gear Check🧳

I’ve always had a place in my heart for efficient packing. My close friend (and whom I fondly refer to as my Maltese sister) used this North Face duffel for our diving expedition. This bag hits all the checkboxes – you can sling it over your shoulder or wear it as a backpack. It's compact and stylish, which I totally love. And it fit perfectly under our bed, keeping her things dry the whole time.

If you need a durable duffel for your liveaboard or an extended outdoor getaway, this one’s got the double thumbs up from me.

Airport Reads🗞️

• I’m a sucker for high-quality leather bags like the ones from Cuyana. However, they cost a pretty penny. If you’re not willing to shell out some serious cash but still want a quality bag, check out this article we put together on the best Cuyana dupes.

• Want to learn a new skill for free? EdX.org offers free courses from Harvard, MIT, and other top universities.

• This website tells you what shows are available on Netflix in different countries. Simply search for a show you want to watch, see what country it’s available in, and then change your VPN to that country. Easy peasy.

Last Thing✨

Thanks for being here! Before we part ways, I wanted to share this cool website a dive friend recommended. It’s called FutureMe.org.

The tool gives you the ability to compose and plan an email addressed to your future self. This email can contain updates about your life or words of motivation, allowing you to connect with your future self, even after several years. How neat is that?

Onwards,

Kelsey

Was this email forwarded to you?