The Blue Hole of Athens
Some days passed before we could go deepdiving since my luggage arrived to Athens later than I did. The day after receiving my equipment we went to Pigadi. The blue hole of Athens.
Me in my brand new 5mm wetsuit, Proteus II, from Fourth Element. Photo: Michel Filinis Arrival
Luckily the luggage arrived with all items intact in the bag in which I had almost all my diving equipment including my brand new 5mm suit from Fourth Element. When we arrived, the sun was shining and we spent some time on the rocks by the sea to savor the environment. When coming to a new place I need some time for adjustment and just mentally land where my physical body is. The wind was a little bit cold but the april sun was warm enough to warm us up before the dives.
Michel preparing the diving equipment before entering the sea. 
Me in my rashguard from Fourth Element from the Ocean positive collection. Photo: Michel Filinis Sunshine, lighting & thunder
The clouds started getting thicker and darker as we started to put our wetsuits on. When all the equipment was on and we were ready to enter the sea we felt the first drops of rain fall on our heads coloring the rocks to darker nuances. We entered the sea and we saw the lightning. A lightning followed by a rumbling thunder. A magestic act of nature. I have always loved diving in the rain. The intense impressions above the surface in contrast to the calmness beneath is something special.
Pigadi – “The Well”
The name of the hole, Pigadi, means “The Well”. The bottom of the sea is at 10 meters, where the 3 meters wide hole opens and invites you to go another 20 meters. Pigadi has a total depth of 30 meters. At the bottom of the vertical cave an other horizontal cave leads to many other caves that no person knows for sure where they lead. New environments and new waters has to be explored with respect as the particular conditions differs from each site. For me it is the mental thing. To feel home. To feel safe. To dive in to a dark hole is quite an experience since it is hard to see what is in there, before you are in it. The way to find out is to approach it and enter.
Me exploring Pigadi. Step by step. Photo: Michel Filinis 
Michel during the first dive ascendning from Pigadi. Entering the unexplored
At first I could not even understand it was a hole. What I saw only looked like seabed on the bottom of the sea. It was so dark and hard to imagine that there was a hole to the depth of 30 meters. I decided to dive down and get to know it better as Michel prepared the buoy and the equipment. As I entered the shadow of Pigadi the inside revealed itself meter by meter. I had to take one step at a time for each dive to not be frightened by the unexplored. I needed some dives but then I submerged to the depth to see the cave that leads to the unknown. I stayed there for some seconds, looking around as the lightning from the sky above threw flashes of light into the hole for shorter than the blink of an eye. Above the surface the rain fell heavy on the surface of the sea. The lightning and thunder reminded us of the power and wonderful act of nature that we were fortunate to experience.
Be kind to your self, be kind to others.
Nicole Edensbo, 2019-04-24
Athens, GreeceSpring time call
It is spring time and usually in springtime something calls for me. It is a call that wants me to see, experience and learn new things. This time could listen to my call and now I’m here, for my call.
Training & Recreation
After a more than 12 hours long flight trip the plane started its landing. We we went through the soft and partially transparent clouds and finally I could se the beautiful landscapes and the blue water of the mediterranean sea. I was landing at Aten-Elefthérios Venizélos. I had landed in the capital of Greece.
The first days
This was quite a spontaneous trip. In the late winter I really felt to go, see and explore something new. Maybe to get a distance and time to think. This trip is primary a step to really learn new things about deepdiving and about my self. Since this is the third day waking up in this place on earth I’ve already spent some time training in the pool and diving in the ocean together with a new found friend. Since my bag arrived later than me I didn’t have all my diving equipment from day one so we also spent time just exploring above surface. Exploring the beauty of Greece at all levels. I enjoy every single moment and every second of being here, breathing here. And not breathing. Even though I lived in Crete I actually never spent time in Athens. The familiar and unfamiliar smells brings back and creates new beautiful memories.
And a competition
The 21rst of april I will wrap up my days here by joining a competition in which I’ll do DNF and DYNB. Looking forward to it. I’m expecting a delivery of my new bifins today! Can’t wait to try them on!
DNF-training. Photo: Michel Filinis Be kind to yourself, be kind to others.
Nicole Edensbo, 2019-04-17
Athens, Greece5 minutes Good Morning Stretch
A limber body and focused mind
Every morning I try to take a few minutes to awaken my body and mind and take some really deep and conscious breaths. For me, the most important is that I actually do this, that I make action of what I believe in in the long term. I want to feel that it’s effortless even though I might be on my way to somewhere. I believe in doing this a few minutes each day rather than doing one longer session once a week. This considering what I want to get out of it. A limber body, focused mind, two outstanding lungs and a lovely feeling every day!
I highly value this little moment. This moment only for me. The moment of conscious action. Conscious presence. Mindfulness. Here and now.Want to know how? See my video below.
Strech for everybody!
- Start by finding a free space where you will have room to move around. It is enough to have a surface that is a little larger than a yoga mat.
- Use a yoga mat underneath you, it makes you get good grip on the floor. You can also use a regular rug or practice directly on the floor if you don’t have a yoga mat.
- Start doing your exercise and make your body and mind awake in a soft way. Is there any movement or position you don’t feel comfortable with, change it only to your needs.
- Remember breathing, breathing the key in this stretch.
- Try to really feel the stretch in your body in every movement.
- Let this excercise take som more time in the beginning to get to know your body and needs better.
- Remember! This moment is only for you.
Be kind to your self, be kind to others.
Nicole Edensbo, 2019-02-18
Gothenburg, Sweden
