I start cautiously near the pontoon steps (my 'security point'), gradually going a short distance with my face in the water, exploring the reef, marveling at the sea life around me. I return to the pontoon and set out again... eventually reaching the rope. I see snorkelers on the other side, scuba divers below me. We wave at each other. From the rope, I turn back to the pontoon and start over, staking out a new area.
With my eyes downward, I lose track of my surroundings. Suddenly I’m in a frighteningly narrow gap between two sections of sharp, bright coral. I avoid hitting the delicate structures and return to the pontoon. Then I swim out again.
Once more, I focus on sea life and forget safety. Abruptly I become aware of the sharp coral inches below me. I scrape my knee as I redirect to more open water. Back to the pontoon and then back out--and this time, I swim under the 'security'. I note where the other snorkelers are and turn back to the depths. I think I hear the whistle for lunch. I don’t care.
Now my security point has become the rope instead of the pontoon, and I return to it less often. My excursions get longer, and I look around the surface less. I’m peering into the ocean, taking in the dazzling display of coral, fish, and plants. I know it sounds trite, but I'm amazed.
Finally I lift my head. The pontoon is a large but distant shape and the sounds of other people are barely audible. I spin around in the water looking for other swimmers. No one.
I am alone.
I remember there are sharks in these waters and hope they don’t remember me, as I turn toward the rope that cordons off the 'safe zone'.
Back to the rope, as fast as I can swim, under the rope, to the pontoon. I realize I'm panting a little, and I know it isn't exertion as much as it was a little bit of panic--now receding. One of the staff says something about a little fish. It takes a moment to realize he’s talking about me.
Seconds later the whistle indicates time to re-board. This little fish reluctantly climbs aboard the pontoon. I realize just how tired I am. I wonder, for a second, if I was lucky to come back when I did. Would they have noticed a missing tourist?* The staff does a head count and announces that anyone who has scrapes from the coral should come to the first aid station; they issue dire warnings about bacteria that thrive in tropical waters. I go. My head is swimming (ok, bad pun) with what I’ve seen. Jacques Cousteau ain’t got nuthin’ on me.
Even if you never look at any other links that I post, I urge you to look at this short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8RlGbpuhgc from TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) This is a truly amazing piece of underwater film. Less than five minutes long, it will give you an idea of the sights that enthralled me.
*Since my first snorkeling adventure, I’ve heard about movies and stories of snorkelers and divers left behind on the reef, some true, some not. Since I was pretty much hypnotized by what I was seeing, I can understand now how easy it is to get a little careless. Only on hearing those stories did I realize how dangerous my carelessness was. Well, I said I was a wanna-be adventurer.
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Next: The Rainforest
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