Tuesday, September 30, 2008

tried snorkeling in Hawaii

Breathtaking Hanauma Bay nature preserve. How is it possible that the same Pacific Ocean turns such a lovely color near the islands? It never looked like that at the beach in California. This was a gorgeous day, got lots of sun and had some luxurious uninterrupted reading time on the sand.
I tried snorkeling. I was not good at it. In fact, it scared me so much. Lauren loves it, finds it relaxing, she has been before and has even tried to snuba. She has a most infectious personality so everything she loves sounds especially fun and exciting to do or try. I had felt a bit worried about snorkeling but Lauren was so excited that I felt my fear wane and was ready to jump in and try.
Jumped in, and tried, and tried, and tried. That's Lauren, already swimming, and there I am, who knows what I was doing. Putting on my mask, having my nose be covered up so I had to breathe through my mouth, put my body in a panic mode and I quickly had to rip the mask off my face to breathe again even though I could have just used my mouth. I had to put the mask on several times before I got used to the sensation. Then putting the snorkel in my mouth made me gag. Got over that but then I had to try to put my face in the water and the sound of my ears filling with water so that all I could hear was my own Darth Vadar breathing through the tube sent me into a panic again, had to shoot my head out of the water and rip the mask off my face.

It took all the will power I could muster to actually accomplish snorkeling. Lauren was really patient with me and we swam around for 15-20 minutes I think. And then the salt water was too much in my throat and nostrils to be comfortable anymore, not a ton of it because that would mean I could breathe underwater and didn't need the mask afterall, I must have been doing something wrong when trying to clear my mask, but I did it. The water was cloudy that day so we couldn't see far out around us but we did see some beautiful sea life.
Me, Marie, Kelly, Lauren -- after the above described incident

Eric laughed at me when I told him this story. He couldn't believe that a girl who grew up in southern California wasn't able to snorkel like a pro. I'm laughing at myself now too but I don't know if I could do it again.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Big sigh...

Can we go again?

You tried, it was a great effort!

Tricia said...

I'm a little creeped out by snorkeling too. I think it's perfectly normal.

I'm so jealous. Hawaii looks like a lovely idea (and you look lovely too!).

Sally said...

Breathing through the tube made me gag, too. Thanks for sharing the pictures! Who did you go with and how long were you there? It looks heavenly! We went to Oahu about a year before Ethan was born for our 4 year anniversary and I think back to it and miss it often. I'm glad you got a respite from everyday life!

Platteborze Possy said...

How fun!! Way to go Paige! What a beautiful trip and I love all the yummy food. That's definitely my kind of vacation!

Torrie said...

i does take a while to get used to, but for me, i always tell myself that i'm going to miss something so i have to do it!
great story!

kelly said...

yep, i chickened out!
what a brave girl you are...

btw, thanks for not posting a pic of me in my suit!

Lauren said...

I know...what is up with that? I am not sure that I would have approved the thigh shot, Paige! Actually, it could be worse...at least there were no "tharm"-shots in the picture!

What a great trip!

Unknown said...

You look so beautiful! All of you do. What a wonderful thing to have been able to do together.

Anonymous said...

Don't feel bad. I'm a Hawaiian who is afraid of snorkeling. I do the same thing with my mask. Marc has to swim around with me holding on to him in a death grip. I shake and shake afterward for a long time... sad :(

It looks like you had a blast! I can't wait to go in a few months and enjoy the same things.

-::bee::- said...

That happened to me too when we went to Hanauma Bay! I just couldn't get used to breathing through my mouth at first. It's terrifying to have a panic attack underwater.

Alexis said...

Hawaii sounds great- thanks for sharing fun memories and pics! When I snorkle, it gets my adrenaline going, too- it just goes against the very fiber of my being to try to breathe under water.