Whale Shark...

It was the kind of clear water I've always dreamed of. Jumping in was like leaping into the world's largest fish tank, as far as the eye could see in every direction were hordes of fish every shape and size. Giant schools of Baraccuda, masses of Trevaly, heaps of damsel fish and giant groupers circling them all. We were diving Sail Rock, one of the premier dive destinations in the world, the jewel of the Gulf of Thailand. A site known for it's giant schools of fish and the occasional apperance of something larger... Already I was having a tough time controlling my air because it was all quite a lot to take in. I tried to slow my breathing while still keeping my head on a swivel taking in everything I could. As our group came up around a deep under water pinnacle we saw a school of fish start to meet us around the far corner, we all slowed watching the fish coming straight towards us not wanting to scare them. An ominous tone fell over the group as the school grew bigger and bigger. A large shadow seemed to encircle the fish and then to our amazement, coming straight at us was the most beautiful underwater sight in the world. Circled with fish we saw our first 3m long juvenile whale shark. It's one of those moments that you don't really believe when it happens. It seemed like all of a sudden I was watching the national geographic channel inside my mask. The beautiful fish swam just feet away from us on it's quest for plankton, at this point all concentration on my breath had stopped, this would be a short but memorable dive. As the beast lumbered into the blue we thought we'd seen the last of our new friend, but this was a very lucky dive as he cruised around the reef twice more. During our break between dives one of the boat captains shouted "Shark!!" and we all jumped in to the blue with snorkels in hand and watched our friend pass by again. Not to leave us hanging, when we started our second dive there he was again to say goodbye one last time. To say I feel lucky to have seen this magnificent fish is an understatement, some divers go their whole lives without seeing one of these beautiful animals, truly this was as close to a spiritual experience as I'll ever have. Even now sitting here writing about it, it doesn't seem real, it seems like I dreamed it. But it was real, and it was amazing. Scotty and I had a one of a kind experience for sure.








ps. while I've been writing this I've been listening to the Flames/Oilers game and the Flames are dominating again!! Woot Woot!!!

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