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belated Hawaii post: manta pics
Jun. 16th, 2009 09:55 pmSwimming with manta rays is totally amazing. The story is that years ago a hotel out on a point near Kona had so many lights that it caused vast nocturnal plankton congregations, and manta rays, not being completely stupid, congregated also, to enjoy the plankton buffet. The hotel went under, but boats had started taking tourists out, and brought their own lights. There's a hotel again, boats still go, the tradition is carried forward. (More specific story.) The tour we took was literally a five-minute boat ride from the site, and they were pretty great. (Videographer's web site.)
Socially this was a slightly awkward outing. I had talked it up a lot, but our whole group did not go, which is to say that the ones paying for the trip did not go. I felt a little weird about it, especially since I was not completely gracious about not getting to dive rather than snorkel. But, hey, I can only be perfect some of the time, right? I did spearhead our getting a DVD of our swim and sending it to our benefactors, so I felt okay with it overall.
I have fewer photos than I wanted and attempted, because the underwater camera was very odd and started malfunctioning during the swim. Sheesh. Mostly I just gawked. Because, dude, manta rays.
( 3 decent photos out of a whole lot, with comments )
In conclusion: Do this if you get the chance! I had wanted to see mantas since I was a little kid, and they exceeded even my high hopes. I want to do it again.
Socially this was a slightly awkward outing. I had talked it up a lot, but our whole group did not go, which is to say that the ones paying for the trip did not go. I felt a little weird about it, especially since I was not completely gracious about not getting to dive rather than snorkel. But, hey, I can only be perfect some of the time, right? I did spearhead our getting a DVD of our swim and sending it to our benefactors, so I felt okay with it overall.
I have fewer photos than I wanted and attempted, because the underwater camera was very odd and started malfunctioning during the swim. Sheesh. Mostly I just gawked. Because, dude, manta rays.
( 3 decent photos out of a whole lot, with comments )
In conclusion: Do this if you get the chance! I had wanted to see mantas since I was a little kid, and they exceeded even my high hopes. I want to do it again.
