Somebody's Gotta Feed Them
 On one of my last days, I simply remained at my hotel and decided to try snorkeling at the beach. Having secured my equipment at the hotel dive shop and after eating a wonderful lunch, I made my way to the water. With that thought in mind, I also purchased an underwater camera with the hopes that I might get a shot of something interesting. To me dismay, it was not as good as my previous expeditions to Trunk Bay or Norman Island, but I did indeed see a few fish schooling nearby. Having saved a piece of bread from my lunch, I pinched off a piece and made a "peace offering".
To my delight, more and more fish began to swim nearer. Warily eyeing the bread I held in my hand, they came closer and closer. It was difficult at best to not only snorkel while trying to avoid the coral reefs, but to keep an eye out for more fish, hold the bread with one hand while holding the camera in the other, and attempting to use the viewfinder to snap a picture underwater. Thus, these photos leave a great deal to be desired and I only include them here to share the day and make the point.
Soon, more fish arrived, perhaps by sensing the nearness of a free meal. Not only fish swam near, but several people as well who noted that many fish were begining to school in my presence. When the people came close enough to ask why this was occurring, I offered them a demonstration by telling them to dive under and watch my hand closely. They were amazed that the fish were so tame and so close to their own masks. Two sisters arrived and once again I began the feeding, eating out of my hand. They were thrilled to see such colorful delights before their eyes and even reached out and touched several large fish, something they had been trying to do all day without success. With this feeding, they accomplished that goal and thanked me profusely!
My bread dwindling fast, I now had hundreds of different fish swimming so close to me that they not only were nibbling at my fingers but several even took a small bite at my back when I wasn't looking. What beauty and grace, not to mention the agility that these creatures possess. Turning fast, darting around the coral all the while searching for a tidbit that may have come loose from my hand. I swam far out into the bay following them...and they following me until finally, my bread supply was depleted. It was there in the deep of the bay that they quickly disappeared into the blue green of the water just as they had so quickly appeared before. Swimming back to shore, I admired the beautiful corals as the tidal surge assisted my return. A wonder day for a feeding!
Today's Quote:
Spoon feeding in the long run teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon.-Edward Morgan Forster
8:49:29 PM 
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