Mexican Update II
Well, all is going well here in Nuevo Vallarta. Playing in the surf, riding the waves on boogie boards, playing volleyball and other summertime activites.
The snorkelling expedition went much better than expected. I got into the water with about 80 other snorkellers, and we spread across the bay next to the Marietas Islands. Very quickly I was surrounded by all manner of colourful fish that were darting past me on all sides. I was amazed that they were so close and seemed so unconcerned by my presence.
Further toward the island itself, I saw a very, very blue fish that looked like a large Red Barb that I used to have in my old fish tank. There was another fish that was very long and very narrow with tiny little flippers that helped propel it through the water.
Next, was the one of the more frightening and exhilirating experiences of my life. I had stuck close to the guide that accompanied us into the water. We had ended up in deeper water and, from time to time, he was going down to the bottom, dropping food along the way to attract fish.
I saw some movement off to my right which I thought was the seabed moving. I stopped swimming and looked directly at a huge Manta Ray that was swimming slowly, gracefully along the bottom.
I was totally stunned motionless in the water. It was about 20 feet across and appeared to be moving in slow motion. It was swimming away from us, but then wheeled up and around...right toward us.
I couldn't do anything. I was frozen there as it softly floated toward me. The moment is hard to describe, but it was beautiful and frightening at the same time. The animal was easily 3 times my size, maybe bigger.
At a distance of about 8 or 10 feet (distance is hard to judge under water), it gently arced downward and continued to swim past us. I watched it for as long as I could until it disappeared in the gathering green of the distant water.
That alone was worth the trip.
Well, all is going well here in Nuevo Vallarta. Playing in the surf, riding the waves on boogie boards, playing volleyball and other summertime activites.
The snorkelling expedition went much better than expected. I got into the water with about 80 other snorkellers, and we spread across the bay next to the Marietas Islands. Very quickly I was surrounded by all manner of colourful fish that were darting past me on all sides. I was amazed that they were so close and seemed so unconcerned by my presence.
Further toward the island itself, I saw a very, very blue fish that looked like a large Red Barb that I used to have in my old fish tank. There was another fish that was very long and very narrow with tiny little flippers that helped propel it through the water.
Next, was the one of the more frightening and exhilirating experiences of my life. I had stuck close to the guide that accompanied us into the water. We had ended up in deeper water and, from time to time, he was going down to the bottom, dropping food along the way to attract fish.
I saw some movement off to my right which I thought was the seabed moving. I stopped swimming and looked directly at a huge Manta Ray that was swimming slowly, gracefully along the bottom.
I was totally stunned motionless in the water. It was about 20 feet across and appeared to be moving in slow motion. It was swimming away from us, but then wheeled up and around...right toward us.
I couldn't do anything. I was frozen there as it softly floated toward me. The moment is hard to describe, but it was beautiful and frightening at the same time. The animal was easily 3 times my size, maybe bigger.
At a distance of about 8 or 10 feet (distance is hard to judge under water), it gently arced downward and continued to swim past us. I watched it for as long as I could until it disappeared in the gathering green of the distant water.
That alone was worth the trip.
<< Home