07 Jan PM – My First Snorkeling Experience

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Shortly after coming on this trip, I found out that I was the only person out of our group of sixteen students who has never snorkeled before. This naturally made me a little more nervous than I initially was because I didn’t want to slow down or deter anyone from what they wanted to do just so they can teach or monitor me. My first time in the water I was definitely NOT used to the snorkel mask and breathing out of my mouth and I would involuntarily breathe out of my nose which would just make me choke in the water that was leaking through my foggy mask. Also my wet suit was extremely buoyant and it was very hard for me to stay in one place. Needless to say it was not a great first experience.

Picture 1
View of under the rocks by the mangroves (photo by Kyle)

But a few hours later, we went snorkeling again and although I was not looking forward to it, our wonderful grad TA Amber took me by the hand and slowly led me through the water stopping periodically to point all the cool organisms out and making sure I was okay. We reached the mangroves on the side of the dock of the Marine Bay and I could finally see what all the hoopla about snorkeling was about. I was seeing giant schools of fish, algae, coral, anemone, and so much more, it was simply breathtaking!

Picture 2
A red Rock Boring Urchin (Echinometra lucunter) on the rocks near the mangroves (photo by Kyle)

I remember thinking; whoa this is even better than the Discovery Channel! The next morning I went into the water again still a little apprehensive but much more confident with my group members to do some more exploring and collecting organisms. We took some pretty cool pictures and they even collected a seahorse! Even better, there was a beautiful rainbow over the bay in the afternoon. I still am not the most comfortable snorkeling but I am looking forward to improving every day and feeling very confident in the water by myself in the upcoming weeks.

Picture 3
Beautiful fish near the mangroves called Slippery Dick (Halichoers Bivittatus) (photo by Kyle)

Picture 4
The beautiful rainbow above the bay BEFORE the rain!

– Fardina Miah

6 thoughts on “07 Jan PM – My First Snorkeling Experience”

  2. I love reading the blog to see what the students are doing each day & also enjoy the pictures! Hi Brooke!

  3. These photos are amazing Fardina!
    I remember the first time I learned how to snorkel — I had the same experience with not being used to breathing from my mouth! I was nervous but I eventually get the hang of it!
    I look forward to reading more posts and seeing more photos!

  4. Yea for Amber! When you get frustrated, just remember all the cool organisms you are seeing! Even in the shallow Bay there are amazing animals – the sea anemones, various types of shrimp and crab, sea slugs,… And of course, the different “personalities” of the fish! Have fun!

  5. Chris the pictures look great.. hope your having fun … I enjoy reading the blog about your trip… I cant wait till we talk about it in person.

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