Very Excited! I've uploaded the underwater pictures into the SURF AND SAND folder. Click Below:
Reminder: Click on any link above to go directly to the Photo Album of your choice. When you arrive at the photo album, click on SLIDESHOW. I have created a movie of sorts, including music and an assortment of my favorite photos, but the .exe file is VERY large.
(What is an "executable" file? An .exe file is one that will automatically prompt you to open/download it, so you don't have to search for a program to do it for you. Simply click on the .exe file and a window will appear on your screen asking if you want to "run" or "save" the file. Though it's WELL WORTH VIEWING, I would only suggest doing this if you've got a fairly current computer with high speed internet and ample space on your hard drive. Once you've viewed the movie, you can then delete it from your computer, freeing up the space it requires. CLICK HERE if you'd like to view the movie.)
You can't imagine how extremely peaceful it is when one is snorkeling... better yet, when one is SCUBA diving, unfortunately.... I hadn't the equipment (much less afford to rent it) and my NAUI certification expired many moons ago. As a teenager, my parents put my younger sister and I through SCUBA diving classes. From there I got my Sport Diving certification and was working on becoming an instructor. I'll always treasure the days and nights spent suspended in silent bliss among the ocean depths of South Florida. Maui reminded me of those fond memories long past, when it was simple enough to escape this world for another, by simply walking off a beach.
Collage of only a handful of the different types of fish I saw while diving.
Unless you've gone diving, you'll never truly understand the magnificent beauty of coral reefs and all the mysterious little creatures dwelling within. The underwater world is one of those magical places confirming my belief there is a God! Between the peaceful silence, except for the rhythmic sound of ones breath in a snorkel, or the faintest of clicking sounds coming from unseen creatures, and the rich vibrant hues of the ocean, fish and reef, there's no place on earth that compares.
La Parouse Bay: Site of lava flow from last eruption of Haleakala ca. 1700
While in Maui I'd read about the likelihood of swimming with sea turtles and dolphins in La Parouse Bay during the early morning hours. With a loaner mask and snorkel, and acquiring inexpensive fins from the WalMart, (yes, Wally world has invaded Maui.. and thank God for it!) plus jet lag (getting up at 3-4am most mornings), it was easy enough to make an early morning dive in La Parouse Bay.
Another diving spot
My first attempt was a bit of a challenge. Although most mornings the Bays were generally very calm, the waves were slightly up in LaParouse Bay, and the only entries into the water are via jagged lava rock (with spiny evil little creatures lurking in the crevices!). The other issue was I was about to break the diver's golden rule by diving alone. This coupled with the fact I'd not been diving in 27+ years, made me a bit nervous setting out on my own! So, I got back in the car and crossed back over the lava field to another site, and found plenty of other snorkelers, along with a smooth black sand beach to enter from. YAY!
One of the many turtles I had the pleasure of diving with.
First dive...... SO many yellow tangs! So much coral... and not far from the beach! Best of all, I saw sea turtles! The first turtle I came upon was gently making its way along the reef in water that I'd guess was crystal clear and about 10 feet deep. Before I knew it, the turtle was surfacing for air, then upon descent it stopped and hung in the water motionless, turned its head toward me and watched. I don't know about the turtle, but I was simply staring in amazement and wonder, as it didn't seem to be the slightest bit concerned about my presence.
My favorite photo!
What would any curious diver do at this moment? Get closer! I swam closer, hovering above, its eyes watching me as I approached. The beautiful creature still seemed quite at peace with me nearby. It was time to see if I still knew how to dive, so I took a deep breath and descended (awkwardly, and frantically trying to decompress my ears!) to the turtle's side. It continued to watch in calm stillness. The urge to touch the turtle was far too great, so with scant amounts of breath left in my lungs, I reached out and stroked the turtles back. ELATION! I'd have hung out all morning down there under the water, but my lungs began to insist I return to the surface. Drat!
So majestic. So peaceful. So graceful. Heavenly!
Needless to say, you can be sure I was beeming when I returned to the condo to tell Tony all about what I saw... wishing he could have been there with me. The dives that followed were as fruitful as this one, so I purchased a disposable underwater camera to capture on film what I couldn't show Tony in person.
The underwater ballet of a sea turtle.
Why Fr. Tony couldn't go diving? Well.....early on in our trip I'd made an honest effort to try and get him comfortable enough in the water to follow me around on a boogie board. Ohhhh, if only someone had been filming this failed attempt to get Tony to float! The waves were a bit up when I helped Tony into the water, struggling against the push and pull of the waves. Though he made a valiant effort, before it was all said and done, he was soaked from head to toe (hat included), lost his wedding ring, and proved he's completely incapable of floating any way but FEET UP! We must have looked like quite a sight out there in the water that day!
All was well with the world,
as Fr. Tony sat gazing out at the deep blue and green Bay,
as the tide gently lapped at his feet.
Yes, I'm still very much recalling the wonders of our journey far away. More to come. Night all, PitterPat
PS: Fr. Tony is still in Williamsburg, VA with the NNECA crew... rubbing elbows with the ECUSA bunch. He may be home tomorrow if he continues to have problems with his legs swelling.
