Monday, October 4, 2010

Underwater Joy - In Pictures

I'm back! I had a fabulous break in neighbouring Indonesia and spent a great deal of my time underwater in and around Komodo national park.

Scuba diving is one of my favourite ways to spend my time.  It's a visit to another world teeming with amazing colours and creatures. It's blue and you get to blow bubbles.  It's a breath-centered moving meditation.  In short, it's like a  form of yoga - but with fish!

This holiday I was blessed to spend some time with some of the rarest creatures beneath the waves: the majestic rays.  In particular, a large and beautiful Eagle Ray, and a gathering of Reef Manta Rays.  Be still my heart!!  Witnessing the magnificence of these creatures underwater is an absolutely amazing experience and one I will never forget.  It really hits home just how precious the oceans are and just how little we know about them and the amazing creatures who live there.

So here are some pictures for you all to enjoy!



Eagle Ray
Manta Rays!!


Did you know...
  • Rays are related to sharks, but they have no teeth!  They use a type of filter to feed exclusively on plankton and other microscopic organisms.
  • Manta rays and stingrays are related, but Mantas no longer have a stinger.
  • Mantas are the largest rays. The Giant Manta can be up to 25 feet in length, and they "fly" through the water using their wing-like fins.
Also...  Today is my birthday!!

Namaste~~~

PS - yes, I did see a Komodo dragon.  Horrible lizard.  I much prefer what's under the water.

12 comments:

  1. Love this blog, and also the background on East Timor.

    Bob W.

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  2. Awesome pics -- and Happy Birthday!!

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  3. Happy Birthday and what beautiful pictures!

    I am not allowed to scuba dive which nearly broke my heart both times I was in the Barrier Reef. Still I was pretty amazed how much I saw just snorkling!

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  4. Great pics, this must be an amazing experience!

    Happy birthday :-)

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  5. Happy Birthday!!
    what beautiful pictures- so glad you had a wonderful time :)

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  6. Thanks everyone! It's nice to be back. :)

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  7. i'm too claustrophobic to scuba dive! but love watching the underwtaer shows lol

    what a fab time you had, and i didn't know that rays and sharks were related.

    HAPPY DAY OF BIRTH fellow Libran! we're just one day apart.

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  8. Happy birthday! And I LOVE your underwater shots :D

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  9. Happy Birthday Bree! Absolutely MAGNIFICENT photos!

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  10. belated happy birthday. jealous but very happy for your trip :)

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  11. Happy Happy Birthday, sweet lady! Hope it was absolutely lovely!

    I'll have to go scuba diving someday ... work up the courage for it :).

    Much love to you!

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