“Self contained underwater breathing apparatus
\nis what it stands for,” the tour guide at the front
\nof the bus, also our instructor, explained to us
\non the way to the SCUBA diving resort,
\nas we pulled out of sight of the gleaming blue bay
\nand our sleek ponderous white cruise ship.<\/p>\n
She was a blonde, muscular, suntanned, pretty
\nwoman in a blue bikini and tank top. who
\ndemonstrated the flippers, mouthpiece,
\nfacemask, weight harness, and airtanks,
\nunderwater handsigns, procedures, rules
\nand more procedures to us on the half-
\nhour ride to the SCUBA diving resort.<\/p>\n
By the time we got there, our tingle of
\nnerves had turned into anticipation,
\nand our disorganized banter had become
\nan efficient compliance and and docility.
\nShe was good. She was also the owner-manager
\nof the SCUBA diving resort and a hotel on
\nanother island across the deep blue Carribbean.<\/p>\n
We broke into groups and each were fitted
\nwith equipment, which we carried out to
\nthe sunny beach set deep in a palmy bay.
\nWe land-drilled without thte gear, then with
\nthe gear, how to breathe, signal distress,
\nhow to switch to snorkel, why snorkel is on the left
\nAll kinds of stuff I didn’t know.<\/p>\n
Underwater, I discovered I \u2014 a strong swimmer
\nand ex-lifeguard \u2014 didn’t know how to sink
\nso they added more weights to my web belt.
\nBefore long we were under water, and the breathing
\nwas as natural as breathing on land, except
\nyou had to keep the mouthpiece in place.<\/p>\n
This was as close to freeform flying as is possible
\nwithout growing wings; it is as lovely and sweet
\ndown there with the colourful fishes as strawberries
\nand cream and a glow in her eye. About ten feet above,
\nI could see a lovely lass in a very brief striped bikini
\ntreading water with a grace that exists only in dreams.<\/p>\n
and below was a peace that cut out world and weather
\nand distance and hurry: all was blue and pink and yellow
\nand muted by a silence in which bubbles were the highlight
\nand graceful motion was as normal here as gravity on land.<\/p>\n
Everything was delightful: flashing tropical fish, coral, even
\nsand. When it was finally time to go back up, I went reluctantly
\nback to normal: shed my SCUBA gear, and headed for the bus.<\/p>\n
[Photos and background in <\/em>Platinum River<\/a> ]<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" “Self contained underwater breathing apparatus is what it stands for,” the tour guide at the front of the bus, also our instructor, explained to us on the way to the SCUBA diving resort, as we pulled out of sight of … Continue reading