Underwater fun

Today CP and I start scuba diving lessons! Because we are headed to Ecuador and the Galapagos for our honeymoon, CP got us the lessons for my Christmas present so that we can check out the underwater amazing-ness in South America.

I am excited and nervous at the same time (and not just because strangers are going to see me in a bathing suit for the next 6 to 8 weeks- I am seriously translucent right now).

You see, CP and I did an intro to scuba diving day when we were in Hawaii. We didn’t have enough time to get certified before we went to Hawaii, but figured that there HAD to be an intro course on the island. Sure enough, we headed out on the west side of Maui to a shop that the guide book recommended.

We were told that we could either stay in waters less than 20 feet, or learn five basic skills so that we could travel to 40 feet below the surface. We decided that 40 feet would be much better, so we started off going 5 feet below the surface to learn how to let water out of the mask. This first skill? Didn’t go so well. I freaked out that there was water in my mask and was going into my contacts. I shot up to the surface with my heart pounding. I knew that it was the WORST thing to do, but all my head told me was GET THIS WATER OUT OF THE MASK SO THAT YOU CAN SEE.

After thoroughly scaring the instructor, we sank down 5 feet again and I was able to make it through the rest of the skills. After that, we did our first dive. The entire time I am thinking, “Holy sh*t, I am breathing underwater. Oh my god. How is this happening. I am seriously freaking out.” Etc. Needless to say, I wasn’t relaxed the entire time I was down there, even though the sights were amazing.

We took a break to go to the bathroom and rest for a moment on land and when the instructor asked if I wanted to go down for a second dive, I hesitated. I was almost ready to give up on this sport, but decided to give it one more try. I am very glad that I did. The second dive I was able to relax a bit more (although I did NOT enjoy peeing in my wetsuit) while swimming with brightly colored fish, eels, and huge sea turtles. Not to mention listening to the humpback whales while underwater.

So here’s hoping that I don’t freak out again when I have to clear my mask or do the skill where I “lose” my regulator. We will just be in a pool, but I still don’t want to look like a jack*ss.