A Big Thank You / Mes Rêves #9

#9: SCUBA dive at a WWII wreck site ✓

I would like to give a big thank you to the country of Malta for building up my dreams to unrealistic heights and then quite literally smashing those dreams into the rocks.

I am referring, of course, to the WWII wreck site of the HMS Maori, just off the coast of Valletta, where I am now. Unfortunately, the wind is coming from a northeast direction, smashing the waves -- and my dreams -- into the rocks. I might be willing to risk my life anyway, but so far I haven't found a dive shop that will take me out.

The other WWII wrecks are either above my skill level or above my experience.

Lucky for me, my goal does not read "dive a WWII wreck site" as I originally thought, but says dive at a WWII wreck site.

During WWII, Malta was center-stage in the Mediterranean theater of war - literally and figuratively. It's location was ideal for getting supplies to the Allies in North Africa as well as launching an attack on Italy. Consequently, they dealt with some of the heaviest bombing during the war. In fact, Malta holds the record for the heaviest sustained bombing attack - 6700 tons of bombs over 154 days and nights*.

You know what that makes Malta? A WWII wreck site.

Ergo, diving at Malta = diving at a WWII wreck site.

And if that isn't enough, my dive buddy was a marine for 32 years. Which means that I, a WORLD traveler, dove with my buddy, a WAR veteran, TWO times.

Diving in the Mediterranean Sea was really cool - I saw an octopus and jellyfish and even got to go in some caves (don't worry Mom, I made it out alive), but I'm still sad I didn't actually dive a real WWII wreck site.

Current score - Kenna: 0. Malta: 9.

So while Malta may have won the battle, I plan on winning the war. My new life plan involves getting wreck and technical deep certified, going on about 50 more dives, then coming back to Malta and diving not only the HMS Maori, but the Bristol Beaufighter, the Barge X-131, the MV Odile, and the Blenheim Bomber as well.

Next time I come to Malta I will be prepared. And Malta won't know what hit it.

*http://www.visitmalta.com/en/world-war-2