Frank and Teja Dicopoulis, long-time residents of Manhattan, New York, chose to learn to dive at home and do their certification dives in the Cayman Islands. Frank is a 12-year star on the CBS soap opera, The Guiding Light, and Teja is a successful commercial actress and full-time mommy. Let's hear how this started in their words:

Frank: I have always wanted to dive. We have snorkeled in many beautiful places, and it always bugged me that when I held my breath and dove down, I couldn't stay more than a few seconds. I'd see something interesting under the coral, but then I'd have to surface, catch my breath and go down again. Nine times out of ten I couldn't find it.

Teja: Honestly, I was happy just snorkelling. I never really dove down, and I was both a little intimidated and nervous about everything diving entailed.

After some discussion, however, they decided to take this to the next level, together. They did their research and struck on an instructor they found dependable and trustworthy.

Frank: Cal, our instructor in New York, was great. He really cared and believed in us and that, in turn, gave us confidence in ourselves. I think this is very important. After we did our first official open water dive in the Cayman Islands, we ran back to the hotel and called to tell him, "WE DID IT!".

Frank and Teja settled on Grand Cayman for their open-water certification dives for several reasons: an affection for the island, a favorite resort with an on-site dive operation and a true fondness for the underwater world found there. How did it work out? Let's hear it from their lips:

Teja: It was really interesting to be around people who are hooked on diving. It's like a special community and everyone was very supportive and enthusiastic.

Frank: The whole experience brought me even closer to my wife. We now have this unbelievable shared experience. We will always be each other's "dive buddy." Seeing my wife 60 feet under water doing the full mask removal was something I will never forget. I was both afraid and proud of her at the same time.

Teja: I think it's a great thing for couples or good friends to do together. It does strengthen the bond between you. We are already planning our next vacation based on the diving possibilities!

Frank: Our first dive after being certified was Stingray City. What a rush! Stingrays wrapping themselves around you - it was unbelievable!

Teja: That was great, but so was the turtle we saw, the schools of fish, our first night dive with all the colours and critters, the entire experience we had in the Cayman Islands. I wish we had started all of this sooner!

The bottom line is this: Frank and Teja's experience demonstrates the magic of scuba diving - the beauty of the underworld combined with the pure joy of sharing this experience. The excitement is infectious and is easily achieved. Simply slip the gear on, slip into the ocean and go through the experience. Put the Cayman Islands at the very top of your list. There are not many places in the world that can offer you such spectacular diving and make it so easy at the same time.

page 2/2