SWIMMING WITH THE SEA-GIANTS
by Nyx Martinez
Recently I did something on most people’s to-do-in-this-life list:
I swam with whale sharks!
Yes, whale sharks, the largest living fish known on this planet! Okay, well I’m not quite sure if it was swimming with them or more chasing after them, but whatever it was, the experience was one to chalk up in the books.
Recognizable by their huuuuuuuuge bodies and “checkerboard” pattern on their skin, whale-sharks can be spotted migrating during the hot summer season off the coast of Donsol, a little fishing village in Legaspi City, Luzon Province of the Philippines.
Once upon a time, not much was known of this tiny village. Fishermen lived quietly and the economy barely moved. All that changed when hundreds of whale-sharks or “butanding” were spotted in the murky waters, and a new door opened for tourism.
Now, the tourists come in droves, multiple boats at a time, like the ones that circled the waters on our trip. Each boat came with three-four skippers, who balanced on top, on the lookout for a sighting.
On excited command, the lead skipper would shout, “Now! Everyone! Jump!” and the five of us on board the banka-boat would flip our feet over the bamboo slats and dive into darkness.
It was a struggle for me to keep up with the other four men who swam out, but the one time that I did manage to hang onto the skipper, he pulled me down deeper to where the sunlight shone, illuminating the spots and stripes of the giant fish below me.
I was swimming right above its head!
Reaching my hand out, I felt for its rubbery skin, and I was able to touch it…before it disappeared in a flash. Size makes no difference to their speed; the whale-sharks move in these open waters quickly. Here for a second, and then gone.--Whoosh, just like that!
And yet, for one fantastic moment, I was awed by their greatness; visually moved by these friendly monsters. It was a day I shall never forget.
I am calling it to mind today, because again, I find myself facing more scary monsters—creatures of doubt, difficulty, and looming obstacle. Giant creatures of financial difficulty, challenge and change. Scary things, swimming around me in this vast ocean of life.
And comparatively, I am remembering the whale-sharks, in all their glory; all their greatness. What are they, but just oversized creatures of the sea, and such a sight to behold! Not feared, but sought after for their immense beauty, they remain the reason why travelers flock to the shores of Donsol.
In absence of great challenge, we sometimes feel safe; when everything is clearly in sight, we are at ease. But then, we see it in front of our eyes, and quiver. We see the monsters and pray for deliverance.
But I want to look upon these things in life today, not as fearful, looming giants, but as GREAT BIG, AWESOME…well, almost awesome…challenges that are worth going after, even if just for the thrill of experience.
Because life isn’t just about survival.
It’s about adventure.
…”Now! Everyone! Jump!”
by Nyx Martinez
Recently I did something on most people’s to-do-in-this-life list:
I swam with whale sharks!
Yes, whale sharks, the largest living fish known on this planet! Okay, well I’m not quite sure if it was swimming with them or more chasing after them, but whatever it was, the experience was one to chalk up in the books.
Recognizable by their huuuuuuuuge bodies and “checkerboard” pattern on their skin, whale-sharks can be spotted migrating during the hot summer season off the coast of Donsol, a little fishing village in Legaspi City, Luzon Province of the Philippines.
Once upon a time, not much was known of this tiny village. Fishermen lived quietly and the economy barely moved. All that changed when hundreds of whale-sharks or “butanding” were spotted in the murky waters, and a new door opened for tourism.
Now, the tourists come in droves, multiple boats at a time, like the ones that circled the waters on our trip. Each boat came with three-four skippers, who balanced on top, on the lookout for a sighting.
On excited command, the lead skipper would shout, “Now! Everyone! Jump!” and the five of us on board the banka-boat would flip our feet over the bamboo slats and dive into darkness.
It was a struggle for me to keep up with the other four men who swam out, but the one time that I did manage to hang onto the skipper, he pulled me down deeper to where the sunlight shone, illuminating the spots and stripes of the giant fish below me.
I was swimming right above its head!
Reaching my hand out, I felt for its rubbery skin, and I was able to touch it…before it disappeared in a flash. Size makes no difference to their speed; the whale-sharks move in these open waters quickly. Here for a second, and then gone.--Whoosh, just like that!
And yet, for one fantastic moment, I was awed by their greatness; visually moved by these friendly monsters. It was a day I shall never forget.
I am calling it to mind today, because again, I find myself facing more scary monsters—creatures of doubt, difficulty, and looming obstacle. Giant creatures of financial difficulty, challenge and change. Scary things, swimming around me in this vast ocean of life.
And comparatively, I am remembering the whale-sharks, in all their glory; all their greatness. What are they, but just oversized creatures of the sea, and such a sight to behold! Not feared, but sought after for their immense beauty, they remain the reason why travelers flock to the shores of Donsol.
In absence of great challenge, we sometimes feel safe; when everything is clearly in sight, we are at ease. But then, we see it in front of our eyes, and quiver. We see the monsters and pray for deliverance.
But I want to look upon these things in life today, not as fearful, looming giants, but as GREAT BIG, AWESOME…well, almost awesome…challenges that are worth going after, even if just for the thrill of experience.
Because life isn’t just about survival.
It’s about adventure.
…”Now! Everyone! Jump!”
