In the depths of the sea is a serene and tranquil land untouched by man for hundreds of years. But here, in our day of age, we have the privilege to set foot down there and interact with the many forms of life that thrive at all levels of the sea. We are able to accomplish this with only the help of a tank full of air and a little bit of training. I myself got to experience this thrill first hand on our trip to Hawaii last November.

On a scuba / snorkel trip I was able to take part in an introductory dive. This dive consisted of training in safety and how to use the equipment. Once these were learned and you were able to demonstrate the techniques learned, it was into the water.

With no confidence whatsoever, just a rush of adrenaline, I slid without thinking into the clear depths of the ocean. Once reaching our destination of forty feet, my head cleared as I took in the beauty of the new world around me. For as far as you could see there were endless walls of multi-colored coral with an assortment of fish darting in and out of it. Even the feeling of weightlessness was exhilarating, and being able to breath underwater was just pure bliss.

As we started to explore, new sounds and sights were brought to my ears and eyes that some have never had the privilege to experience. My favorite was the angry clacking of the coral as you swam in their personal space. I also was able to get up close and personal with a turtle and an assortment of other fish including a couple of eels. But the best part of all was looking up to the surface and seeing the sun breaking through the surface of the water and dancing off of the dust that we kicked up from the bottom. It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen.

Scuba diving was a thrilling and majestic experience and I hope I will be able to do it again. If you have been wanting or thinking about doing it, do it, you will not regret it nor will you forget it. I do not think I will ever forget that glorious time, my first time scuba diving.