Rays

Adventure #10

Diving into the unknown can be unnerving. You do not know what you will encounter or where it will come from. This can be true swimming in the ocean. Things can come up from behind, below, or beside you. Logically, I know that most of these things are likely to hurt me, and yet sometimes I still get twinges of nerves that surge through my body.

There are a few hidden gems of swim spots around where you can feel completely safe splashing around in shallow waters. Luckily, we found just one of those spots.

There are ancient royal fish ponds scattered throughout the coasts of the island. Made to keep and sustain fish to feed the kings and queens, they remain to view from the shore. To my surprise, we found one that allows swimming. It is unbelievable how many diverse and vibrant fish swim in this small pond. Swimming right in front of or alongside of you, are hundreds of different fish species. It feels as if suddenly I have become a fish too. The mask and snorkel allowing me to breathe air while keeping my face constantly in the water.

Suddenly, a Spotted Eagle Ray swims up from below and passes closely under me. It is startling, and exciting. I have always wanted to swim with a ray and here it is right in broad daylight.

It is an unexpected adventure we stumble upon while on an otherwise uneventful day. This is really just a pitstop on our way to Kona. Needing relief from the heat, we seek to cool off with a swim. I had no idea we would find this. Truly, one of the best parts about adventures is that they can come at any time and in sometimes completely unexpected times and places. It doesn’t have to be a big epic, planned out excursion. It can be completely free and spontaneous. You never know what you might find, swimming in the new and unknown.