What about underwater exploration? Are you game? I want to be, but I'm not. I don't even have the cojones to go snorkeling. As a former competitive swimmer, that's nothing short of pathetic. I love water but am near-deathly afraid of the open ocean, or lake, lagoon; pond. Doesn't matter if the water is clear or murky. Sealife just scares me! One of these days I will at least go snorkeling. I will. I think (I can, I think I can, I think I can). Until then, vicarious encounters like this one are just dandy.Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - otolithe - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!
Location: Seychelles, Africa ★
Photo courtesy of otolithe
Hello,
ReplyDeleteRegarding the picture, yeah, it was a special moment, not the moment when I shot it, but the whole two weeks I went on a diving cruise from Seychelles, where I lived, to the Aldabra Island.
You see, Aldabra is a really remote Island belonging to Seychelles (check it on Google maps). It has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
There's only a research station on the atoll, and maybe a couple boats go there every year. And I was lucky enough to take part in one of those trips, diving along the way from Mahé to Aldabra.
This particular picture was taken along the Astove (another small atoll) Drop-off, when this curious grouper went and checked out one of my dive buddies, like you would do someone who just entered in your backyard.
You can check other pictures from the trip over at my flickr set.
And thanks for choosing the picture.
p.s.: my wife was like you -loves the water, hated getting underwater. Until she tried it in Seychelles, where as soon as you put your head underwater, there's so much stuff to see that you forget to freak out... and now she likes diving.
It is good to hear that someone else overcame their fear of the open water to their love for it. There's hope for me yet! I hope you are right.
ReplyDeleteHow incredible to have lived there, and on such a remote island in the chain. Merci for the additional details of this picture and its context. From the look of this and the rest of the pictures from this trip in your Flickr set, it looks like a cinematic two weeks. You are lucky to have had such a time, and to have those memories captured so spectacularly. Glad to have found this photo! I still say coming face to face with that grouper would give me a heart attack ...
Let's hope not though because I'd hate to get all the way to the Seychelles and go out like that.
:)