Day Nine: Bucket List Day

There is only one name for a day like today:  a bucket list day.  The morning started with my first deep dive.  Check item #122 off the list.  We went to 100 feet and cracked an egg open, just to watch the yolk float out of the shell as though it hadn’t yet realized it had been released from its calcium prison.  On our second dive of the day I spotted a turtle, as we were all oohing and awing over a pair of trunkfish, both rare sightings. 

But at lunch we were informed the real fun would begin.  The water was calm enough to go searching for whale sharks.  We had all foregone showers for the week to conserve gas.  Gas that could either be consumed by the boat going to other islands for fresh shower water since the island hadn’t been rained on in months, or gas that could be used for a whale shark search. Enough said.  We were all going stinky.  If we spotted one, that would be bucket list #32.

Today was a very hot day, and the sun beat down on us as we tip-toed around the boat that was radiating the same heat it had been absorbing all morning.  We had been told the way to spot a whale shark is by spotting the birds going after the bait ball of fish at the surface that had been driven up.  Ten minutes of searching went by for it.  Nothing.  Tracy jumped to the bow of the boat to get a better view.  Fifteen minutes.  Twenty minutes.  Nothing.  I started to wonder when they’d call off looking when Snake, our wonderful captain, spoke Tracy’s name, she said “Yup” and we were full speed ahead toward a bait ball unseen by any of us. 

“Everyone get your fins and masks on; get ready!”  I’ve never seen so many people get snorkel gear on so fast in my life.  I think if we’d been timing it, we’d beat most Navy Seals teams.  The bait ball appeared out of nowhere.  Cormorants, turrets, and other sea birds swooped this way and that, diving full speed into the water at their prey.  Snake yelled “Shark!” and “Go!” and the first group was gone, swimming as fast as they could towards some lure the rest of us could only imagine.  Then it was the second group’s turn.  We had our gear on and slipped erratically over the side of the boat when Snake gave the go-ahead. 

I searched and searched and saw nothing but blue.  My stomach filled with dread.  What if I’d missed it?  What if that was my only shot?  Then I saw the first group that had made it into the water headed our way.  Below them emerged a silhouette of white spots, then an open gape, and then two eyes.  A mass of whale shark body followed.  I turned and our group plowed ahead, trying to keep pace with the animal’s effortless propulsion before it dove too deep for us to see.  We hovered.  Minutes past.  Like the Cheshire cat’s white grin, the whale shark’s white spots reemerged and were the only things to be seen in the darkness.  Finally its outline appeared and its whale-like head gave way to a shark-shaped body.  Another race ensued to keep up with its shallower projection until it dove down once more.

The boat came around for us and we crawled up one by one, beaming.  I haven’t seen the whole group that ecstatic in days.  Don’t get me wrong, they’re having a lot of fun here on the island, but they are long, course-intensive days.  This adrenaline rush purely for the love of fun and wonderment was essential for everyone.  And I’m pretty happy myself.  #32.  Check!

Tonight will be our first night dive.  Bucket list #121.  I’m so excited for what it will bring, as many species are creatures of the night.  And checking off a third bucket list item truly makes today a bucket list day.  Now I just hope none of us are taken by sea monsters.  If the ocean can hide a whale shark, it is unknowing what else may lurk out there.  Wish me luck!

Night Dive.