Writings By Location| SCUBA Diving in Belize, Part 1 | 1 | 2 |
I was more than a little anxious about getting into the water for the first time with my SCUBA unit. Luckily the water is warm (85 F), so the first shock of the water is mild. It's a pretty amazing experience when you realize you are breathing underwater. The surface was choppy but as soon as we descended it was beautiful. Brightly colored fish, seagrass, and reef formations surrounded us. We started off with a little sightseeing of the reef. We saw two spotted rays, moray eels, fire coral, and fish: big fish, little fish, red fish, blue fish. I couldn't even count the different types of fish we saw. We got to hold a sea urchin, whose tentacles lightly dug into our skin to hang on, and watched whole schools of fish swim along or above us. The coral formations were pretty amazing, too; they would have been even more colorful had it been a bright sunny day.
Of course, we couldn't sightsee forever: we have a certification to finish. Most of the skills I completed without any problems, except taking off my mask. It's just so unnatural to remove your mask underwater. The water floods in and goes in your nose a bit (yuck!). And, of course, salt water feels so good on your contact lenses when you finally do clear out your mask.
We practiced our 'tired diver' tows back to the boat and had a quick cookie break in between dives. The second dive was a little longer and we had time to really cruise around the reef. So many pretty wavy things and swimmy things!!! (Ed.: When we were done with this dive, we hit the surface, and the currents were sweeping us straight past the boat in about two bobs. We finished just at the right time, cause the wind was fierce. Just getting back was like facing gales, as we bounced over two foot waves. Can't figure out why Erin forgot to mention that!)
Keith and I both felt very accomplished after our first two open water dives. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we finish our last two dives. I'm already trying to figure out when we can go diving again! I am so diggin' the SCUBA thing.
-- Erin
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