Location: Arborek Island, Raja Ampat
Today was the best day of the trip by far! We split up into four groups and all went scuba diving in different locations. Our captain, Mac, along with Anda and Kat, made a delicious breakfast casserole, which fueled us up for the day. Group one (which included Zoe, Marijke, Jackson, Imogen, and me) went to our dive spot at 7:15 am and saw a total of 6 manta rays that were between 2 and 4 meters! In the morning, Jackson, Garret, and Anda went ashore to the local village and taught the locals the sport of lacrosse. Group 2 (which included Arden, Luna, Seb, Josh, and Lawrence) went out at 9:30 and also saw six manta rays that they said were even bigger! They swam within arm’s reach of them. We then had Lunch, which was Jambalaya. Group three(which included Jack, Noa, Will, Mack, and Sam) again saw 6 Mantras. Everyone returned to the boat and hung out until group four went. Group four included Jose, Ty, Anda, Garret, and Kat. They went out late in the afternoon and sadly did not see any Mantas. However, they claimed to see a whale shark. During that time, a big group of people from the other dives went snorkeling and saw a leopard shark! We then had chicken pasta for dinner and enjoyed a beautiful sunset.