I spent several wonderful hours the other day snorkeling in the area between the NaBalam Hotel and the Avalon across the way. Granted not much to see for a seasoned snorkeling. But to me, it was paradise. I actually saw fishes! Not very pretty ones, but fishes all the same.
After one failed attempt, I screwed on my courage and actually passed under this very scary bridge to the other side! I was really, really proud of myself! The barnacle encrusted pillars are just plain creepy but, oh, the fish that live under there!
And we discovered a most marvelous thing, quite by accident. Along those white sandbags that have been placed in the water to help rebuild the beach are fish nurseries! Little itty bitty tiny perfectly formed fish. Like a whole school of Nemos but not as bright. It was the perfect snorkel spot for me!
So for now I am just getting accustomed to breathing underwater and not being able to see all around me at once. Baby steps, but steps.
I'll let you know if I get up the courage to tackle the open ocean in front of my house.
12 comments:
Good for you. When you get braver your next step should be to snorkel at Hotel Garrafon. Turtles and lobsters can be seeen there.
Congrats Wayne! That area's a great place to start. People claim there are lots of colorful fish there, but I've only seen the tiny white ones. You might want to try the Garrafon Hotel next. I learned to snorkel in Kauai where there are loads of beautiful fish in shallow water. I'm still a chicken about that Caribe side. Craig snorkels there, but not me!
Good for you. There's literally a whole new & uniquely different world underwater just waiting for you to explore. You can always snorkel or dive anyplace there's water (ocean, lakes, rivers, etc) & the odds are very good that you will see something different. I've been at it for over 50 years & don't intend to stop until I absolutely 'can't do it anymore' Hope you keep at it. You might even want to get a disposable underwater camera which are relatively inexpensive-at least in the US.
Congratulations! That's a big step! I'd stop & think a bit more before going in across from your house--isn't it pretty rough?
Jackie: thanks for the tip. I have heard good things about that area. Not quite the open ocean so I think I may be able to handle it.
LAB: plus the rocks on that side, while creating great areas to see fish, are just plain dangerous. I did snorkel in front of the house once and ended up back on shore hyperventilating!
Tom: thanks for the encouragement. I keep telling myself that thousands of people get into the ocean everyday with no problems. I should be able to also.
Jamqueen: It is very rough during the winter months. In the summer and early fall, there are many days where the water is as smooth as glass over there.
Congrats! I'd stay in the calm waters for now.
I have learned that you go to your fear threshold and then retreat and keep repeat that and taking it just a little bit further each time and you eventually get over the fear! But baby steps is right!
Baby steps. The open sea is a big place!!!
Congrats, I am so proud of you! Definitely hit up Garrafon de Castillo, you'll see some amazing fishies and coral!
You'll be ocean snorkeling in no time. :)
Isla Contoy would be a good next step. Very calm water and beautiful fish to see. Sometimes it is a bet rough at Garrafon di Castillia. Of course, I am not telling you anything you don't already know.
You know...as many times as I have been on Isla I have never been in the water by the Avalon. I say every time that I want to go to King's pool and snorkel under the bridge. Time just gets away from me. Good reason to book another trip huh?
Amigo - I am not going to serve up any macho encouragement other than to say you are doing fine and don't try and compete - just the wise old man in me - if you can make the beach across the street work - that would be cool.
Picture are great as always.
Good for you Wayne! What an adventure you have set before you. A whole new world to explore!!
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