Life under water

One of the biggest attractions of this region is not just life on an island but also the water surrounding the land and all the life in it.

At first seeing such clear and blue water seems surreal. Over time turquoise, navy blue, royal blue, sea green, sky blue, deep blue become your favourite colors. In fact you begin to find some sort of comfort in them as you take a walk on the shore. As you listen to the waves crash. As you catch a peek of a dolphin or other fish that jump. If you are fortunate you even get to see some sharks.

This experience I speak of occurs from staying simply on the land.
What happens when you venture into the ocean?

At first it's a bit scary to just go into the sea, because unlike a swimming pool you cannot see the other end. You can however judge depth based on the shade of blue.

So you begin with baby steps, keep walking until you can feel sand beneath your feet.... and then what?

Then you swim. If not let go, suppress the momentary urge to run back to the shore, to run back to safety and steady ground. Just float. 

Once I established a sense of comfort with the sea I decided to take on a new challenge: snorkel.

Hire some goggles, a tube to breathe through, some flippers and jump from the deep end and work towards the shore..this is in reverse to the actions performed before (from deep waters to steady ground).

Saltwater in your eyes, panic, salt water up your nose, a feeling that you are going to drown(even though you can swim), all that aside. It is beautiful to be able to open your eyes and look at the creatures under the sea.

Finding Nemo is just a teaser. Nothing in comparison. The blue all around you, schools of fish in oranges, blues, neons, yellows and reds. Turtles swimming with fish. There is a different kind of calm under water. A more quiet one that drowns out noise that comes from your head. Like a lullaby or a pleasant dream you don't want to wake up from.