When we signed up to go snorkeling on our honeymoon, I didn’t really think it through. I don’t know why, but in my mind we were just going to show up somewhere and get in the water – no boats necessary.
First timer over here.
In reality, we were about 30 people on the boat, getting ready to go out nine miles to the Molokini Crater.
And I should probably mention: I’m not so good on the water.
When I was much younger, I have a memory of being with my family on a boat – a very slow-moving almost ferry-like boat – and feeling sick. So I fell asleep on my dad’s lap to try to ignore it.
About 12 years ago – again as a family – we went on a cruise. Cruise ships are pretty big. Sometimes you can almost forget you’re out on the water. Unless you’re me.
I felt every dip and every swell, and was guzzling ginger ale (and virgin daiquiris) to combat the nausea.
With all that history, I think it’s clear that I overlooked the boat aspect of the snorkeling.
But that’s a good thing. If I had, I might have psyched myself out and missed out on one of the best honeymoon adventures that we had.
This does not do it justice. I’m a poor photographer, and those underwater cameras don’t mask that fact.
Yes, I was a little nauseous as we started moving. And super jealous of the kids that kept running around the deck without a second thought.
And once we got the snorkeling gear on, I was extremely nervous about jumping in the water. I wouldn’t be able to touch the bottom! There were fish! There was coral! What if I got water in my mask?! What if I touched some ocean life I wasn’t supposed to?
(Apparently even when I’m scared I’m worried about breaking the rules.)
I’m mid-jump here. And while most people kept one hand on the mask when they jumped, so it wouldn’t move, I kept two – one to keep it on, and one to cover the tube lest any water get in.
But once I jumped in and put my mask under water, all those worries disappeared.
The view was breathtaking and the water was calm (except for all the other snorkelers churning it up). It was anything but scary, even as we got farther and farther from the boat.
That’s not to say that suddenly I’m an ocean girl. I still like my beach time, reading and lounging in the sun.
But, after swimming with the fishes (and one turtle!), am I as scared of the ocean as I used to be?
Not a chance. And that’s definitely a step in the right direction.
