“If you don’t do it now, you might regret it for the rest of your life,” my friend said.
We were sitting in a cafe after work. As I looked across the water of Sydney’s Botany Bay, I knew she was right.
I was bored, single, and stuck in a rut. Fearful of stepping out of my comfort zone, I had stayed too long in a job that made me miserable. My hopes for marriage also seemed dismal.
Spurred on by my friend’s advice, I quit my job. With dreams of becoming Australia’s answer to Jacques Cousteau, I loaded up my hatchback with some clothes, scuba gear, and my CV.
All packed up, with everywhere to go.
Coastal dreaming
I planned to travel the entire coast of Australia, doing locum jobs to support my aquatic addiction. As I turned north onto the M1 at Hornsby, I daydreamed about how I would chronicle my scuba adventures, learn underwater photography, and become like Valerie Taylor (preferably minus the shark bite).
An early locum was in Casino, a small town in Northern NSW. I spent weekends in Byron Bay, diving with the turtles and teeming schools of fish at Julian Rocks Marine Reserve. Another job took me to the Sunshine Coast, where I explored the colourful corals of Flinders Reef to the sound of whale songs.
At one point, with no job to go to, I hopped on a flight to Lady Elliot Island and spent five incredible days in the waters of the southern Great Barrier Reef. I even swam with manta rays.
Me at Hamilton Island.
Getting my scuba instructor training
A few months in, I did a locum at Mackay. From there, I went to Airlie Beach and fulfilled my dream of becoming a scuba instructor. Long days in the classroom, pool, and ocean were exhausting, but passing my exam was one of the best moments of my life.
Showing off my scuba skills.
Three months later and back on the Sunshine Coast, serendipity stepped in. I met my soulmate while doing another locum.
How I lost my job
Because I’d met him at work, my boss accused me of inappropriate conduct. I was told to pack my stuff and not come back. Our relationship cost me my job, but has been worth every cent. We were married the next year, in a beautiful chapel at a Coffs Harbour resort.
One of the happiest days of my life.
That was almost 20 years ago. Now, we travel as a family. We have taken our daughters on a six-month trip through Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, NSW, and Queensland. We love travelling together, and hope to take off on another long adventure soon.
I’m so glad I took my friend’s advice. Mostly, I think, you regret the things you haven’t done way more than the things you have. Even if the things you have done cost you the occasional job.