It does seem like things have fallen off, but like was said, people have gotten busy with other things. When I started diving again in 2007 I figured it'd probably been 14 years since I'd dived last. Little by little, life got in the way. I went pretty hot and heavy for 3 years, averaging over a 100 dives a year. During that 3 year period from, almost 200 of those dives were in the Philippines
Then life got in the way again. The military sent me to Afghanistan (for my last year before I retired
) After retirement, I went back to Afghanistan for two years as a contractor. Possibly it might surprise some people, but the diving isn't very good in Afghanistan
I came home earlier this year, and just this month dug out my dive gear. Took my regs in for service, put stuff together doing function checks, etc... Updated my CPR/First Aid qual last week. I'm going diving next weekend. Freshwater, but at least I'll be getting wet
I also booked a trip to the Philippines. After an almost 4 year absence I'll be headed that way in 3 weeks. It will be my 7th trip the Philippines and my 3rd visit to Malapascua. I'll be diving with Matt and David at Evolution. I'm pretty psyched to be coming back after all this time
I'm really looking forward to it! It will be the shortest trip that I've ever made there. Travel time is MUCH longer from the US than it was when I was stationed in Japan
) I'm only going to have 8 dive days, but I plan on cramming at least 30 dives in