Day 13: The Ocean and Coral Reefs are so Close, Yet So Far

Day 13: The Ocean and Coral Reefs are so Close, Yet So Far
Monday March 16, 2016

The resort is in paradise. The ocean is just 100 feet from my room and the coral reef is just 100 yards from shore. I talked to the dive crew and they stated that they saw turtles this morning and perhaps at 4:00 would be a good time.

I broke out of my quiet, shy, shell and said hello to a couple in the restaurant. Evidently the wife has been going out with the dive boat in the afternoon and saw Millions of Sardines. I’m going to head out to the dock to talk with the dive guides…sounds too cool.

I was going to hit the pool to see if I’m fine, but I’m big, I float, and evidently one just floats in the current next to the boat as the divers go underwater. Photos Soon…I hope.

AWESOME….AWESOME…..AWESOME….ETC.

Paradise has been met, and has been conquered by an Olympus TG-4..

I joined the woman whom I met (whom? correct?) waiting for the dive boat at 2:30. We joined the dive boat (probably cost me $20 to be billed later). They drop off the divers, move about 200 yards upstream, and drop off the snorkelers. The current pushed us towards the boat…and it was magnificent. Next time I’ll use my fins to push upstream so I have more time along the drift. I didn’t get brave and dive until the end of the drift. Since I did not have my reading glasses on, I just allowed the camera to focus and then snapped the picture. I figured with 200 pictures there should be a couple of good ones. You are in luck:

The drift.

Sardines in the millions

Coral Galore

I then went snorkeling right off the pier at the resort. I went with a family originally from San Francisco but now living in Singapore. It is really relaxing in the water and I was able to see:

Shrimpfish (thought they were pipefish)

Starfish buddies (or enemies) and yes, I saw anemones but they weren’t in “bloom” so I didn’t take their pictures. My Anemone is my enemy???

And then we saw what we were looking for. A sea turtle, about 5 – 6 feet long….gigantic. However, it is going to take a lot of photoshop skill to draw out the green turtle resting on a green background!!! Maybe I need to talk to some Academy of the Redwood kids for help.

I started the day wondering if I could snorkel without getting hurt (exhaustion, hyperventilation, etc.). I actually thought I may have to just swim in the pool. However, I ended up with two sessions of snorkeling, and seeing what I had hoped to see on my bucket list: sardines, sea turtle, coral. However, I missed one of my favorite sea animals – the seahorse. Evidently I swam through hundreds if not thousands, and they are large, about 8 inches in height. So, the next time I snorkel the house reef I’ll be on the lookout for seahorses and turtles.

I have signed up for a tour for tomorrow to swim with the whale sharks, and a second one to see Kawasan Falls. I look forward to a great time.