The Thinnest of Air
January 3rd 2007 05:44
My latest obsession is snorkeling. One day I was trying on my brother's snorkel and trying not to be disgusted by what he referred to as a "purge valve" and the next day I was buying a snorkel and swim fins and looking up the best places to dive.
Image (c) Google Earth
It's amazing to see how much is going on under the surface of the water. Places I have swam in before have entire ecosystems that I never knew about. It was in one of these ecosystems that I came across a 13 or so year old boy with a spear gun.
Thankfully, almost everyone out where I was loves that area and, within moments of him entering the water, he had been blocked off by a man in a kayak, my brother, and myself and was being warned that spear fishing is forbidden in nature reserves.
Image (c) 2006 autumnstroupe
What is the appeal of shooting at small schools of mostly inedible fish with a gun? I really don't know. I've been to a shooting range before and have gone paintballing, and I enjoy fishing as far as catching and releasing goes, but I don't think I'll ever understand hunting.
This experience has influenced one of my new year's resolutions (which I never usually bother with, but am trying this year). I'm going to try my best not to take everything at face value; to appreciate that there might be more to things, under the surface. I'm also going to consider how my actions effect my surroundings more.
It's amazing to see how much is going on under the surface of the water. Places I have swam in before have entire ecosystems that I never knew about. It was in one of these ecosystems that I came across a 13 or so year old boy with a spear gun.
Thankfully, almost everyone out where I was loves that area and, within moments of him entering the water, he had been blocked off by a man in a kayak, my brother, and myself and was being warned that spear fishing is forbidden in nature reserves.
What is the appeal of shooting at small schools of mostly inedible fish with a gun? I really don't know. I've been to a shooting range before and have gone paintballing, and I enjoy fishing as far as catching and releasing goes, but I don't think I'll ever understand hunting.
This experience has influenced one of my new year's resolutions (which I never usually bother with, but am trying this year). I'm going to try my best not to take everything at face value; to appreciate that there might be more to things, under the surface. I'm also going to consider how my actions effect my surroundings more.
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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I love snorkelling. I only visited the Great Barrier Reef for the first time a couple of years ago and snorkelling there was one of my all time highlights!
Comment by Kate 1
Poster Of A Girl
Oh man, the GBR would be awesome!
Comment by pegasus
Poker Addict
Peg
Comment by Kate 1
Poster Of A Girl
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Ash
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
...So glad that boy was controlled... rampant stupidity in my book...horror in my gut...
I've only ever snorkelled once on the Barrier Reef and found it one of my most amazing life experiences, except a big black shadow [of a giant fish] made me jumpy ... you know thinking of sharks and all [I was five months pregnant too] *lol* ... but otherwise, b-e-a-u-tiful...
I hope everyone follows your lead into your new resolution especially where 'treading on the earth lightly' is concerned ..
Lilla...
Comment by Kate 1
Poster Of A Girl
Yes. There are some great places to dive around Manly. Some of them are quite a hike, because they're kind of remote, but I like that - you don't run into diving schools and people with spear guns
Hi Ash,
That's exactly what I thought... even with the best visibility, accidents can happen, and accidents with a spear gun aren't pretty, I bet. Also, the cove around from us is where sharks breed. I don't want to be around if someone starts bleeding in there.
Hello Lilla,
I still get a bit scared if I see a large shadow, or something brushes up against my leg. Don't tell anyone
Yes, I figure that the more I talk about my resolution, the more people might think it's a good idea and join in with me in not being an asshat.
- Kate
Comment by Hope
Gifted Parenting
Freelance For Life
Comment by Kylar
Comment by Kate 1
Poster Of A Girl
That's Clontarf Point, in Sydney.
Comment by Kylar
Oh yes, I can't believe I missed Manly in the top right. Silly me.