I originally posted this entry on my family blog but was so happy with the experience number one and the photos that came from my Olympus Stylus that it was photography worthy. Starting to think renting underwater casing for my D700 might be a fun idea!!

Wow, I really don’t know how to start off this post but to say Wow.  For those of you that know me pretty well, you will know that my number one fear on this planet would be sharks.  I had a wonderful dream career of being a Marine Biologist, specifically working with dolphins, drift away right before I began college.   Yep, I watched JAWs and it freeakked me out to put it mildly.  I have had reoccurring nightmares ever since. Oh and a very very healthy fear of the water that has kept me from snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving.  I am very specific in the type and water conditions I will get in especially the depth of water.   You can find me hanging around the dolphin tanks at Sea Parks for hours trying to interact with the dolphins and dreaming of what life would be like to work with them every day.  Yesterday’s adventure, possibly changed my life so it was a pretty big deal.

After we took MD snorkeling to Hanauma Bay and realized that he loved it!  Well, I loved it too.  We wanted to take MD where he could  stretch out a little as the tide was very very low and the coral was too close to really enjoy.  Nothing like trying to float above the coral and needing to suck in the gut so you don’t get a sea urchin spine in your belly.  There was also the mass amount of humans that was a turn off for us.  By 10am the buses from the Waikiki hotels were dropping off tons of people.   That’s when the bright idea of the dolphin watch and snorkeling trip was hatched.  Without thinking too much about it, I paid for the tickets and said cool we are set up for tomorrow.  After and hour or so… The fear started bubbling over.  Buyer’s remorse.  Oh no.  What did I get myself into.  This is open water.  This is deep water. I am going to put myself and my child in the open water as shark bait.  UGHGHH.. Well, now was the time to suck it up and not impose my fear on my child and get in and swim swim swim.  It would be fine.

The dolphin watch portion was cool.  Top side show of 100 plus dolphins jumping, flipping and dancing in delight for our vessel.  That in itself was amazing to watch.  We were surrounded by dolphin!  It seems every time I have seen a dolphin in the water, my fear of sharks escapes me as the desire to be in the water swimming near the dolphins is so much greater.  Yesterday was no different.  I think it was the anticipation of actually getting in that pretty much gave me a coronary.  On the way out to the snorkeling portion, I became very still and quiet.  My brain battled the entire ride out to our snorkeling spot beating down my fear.  Luckily for me, fear lost.   We arrived at our spot and once again, we were surrounded by a huge pod of dolphins.  I practically dove off the top deck into the water.   I had to reign in my excitement to focus on MD so he would have an enjoyable experience.

MD loved the whole experience but his little body was cold in the deeper waters.  He could not stay in for long but the amazing staff of the Hoku Naia brought the sea to MD while he waited patiently for Mom and Dad to finish playing.  They dove down and brought up a variety of sea urchins and starfish for MD to look at and hold .  He was thrilled and could not wait to show us his new sea friends.

As for me,  The moment I entered the water and put my face down, I was set free.  Free from the years of fear.  The years of yearning to see what that sea world looked like through my very own eyes.  I wanted to see the sea turtles that I only have seen from above.  The sea urchins and the kaleidoscope of fish.  I was awash in bliss and excitement.  I wasn’t afraid.  It was blue, it was beautiful.  No dolphins seemed to be near us as we first entered the water but curiosity must have taken over and they came.  More and more swam towards us.  We did not see them initially but underwater even when they were far away, we could here them.  We could hear them clicking and talking in their high frequency chatter.  It was so amazing.   Brian and I saw a few from above the water and began swimming toward them.  What we did not realize was exactly how many were under the water when we were seeing only the few on top.  When we went underwater we were surrounded, they were all around.. swimming under us and behind us, then up and around.. My breathing up until that point had been pretty steady and relaxed.  When the dolphins approached and I realized I was swimming along side of them, I think I almost hyperventilated.  As this pod passed us, I sobbed underwater.  I wept tears of joy and relief.  I over came a serious phobia and experienced something that many many many people will go their entire lives unable to experience.  I experienced something that I have dreamed my entire life of doing but was unable to because fear held me hostage.   I weep now as I write this as it was one of the most amazing experiences in my life.  I swam with wild dolphins in open water and I feel pretty sure that I will be doing it again.

Oh, we did see honu and lots of fish and other stuff.. I will write more about the other stuff another day.. This was the day of the dolphin and the absolute best Mother’s Day gift ever!   I have to take a moment to thank my Mommy for always asking me if I have my camera when I leave the house and reminding me that I should always have it as you never know what you might see… thank you thank you thank you mommy..