It is true that a lot of people think of divers as some aliens who have nothing better to do or to spend their money on, who prefer to suck air out of a cylinder and to risk their life from shark attacks and drownings. Come to think of it, yes, we divers are indeed wierd. But, give diving a try and I can almost guarantee you will be hooked, if you can get over the seasickness and the sensation of breathing through your mouth.
Underwater on a healthy reef, I can guarantee you that you will indeed feel like an alien or everything around aliens to you. Gone are the images of silver dull fish that we see in the markets. Gone are the images of lifeless piece of meat covered in fried batter we see on our plates. The amount of life and colours will be the first to hit you. Upon examination of the life forms, you will start having dejavu when you feel as if you have seen some of the creatures on some cartoons or sci-fi films. To me, my ultimate thought is God is a genius! He is the real Picasso, the real Valentino.
Take for instance, this fish.
And I am talking just one species out of billions underwater. And I am just talking about the adult ones only. Who on earth would ever think of painting or dressing a fish in not one or two but three different kind of patterns. Genius! Aptly called the pajama cardinalfish, it's as if the fish has decided to adorn a pj on its hind half.
Impressed? Bemused? Then I suggest you take up diving. This is not some fiction I come up with. It's nature on Earth. So spare us from being branded aliens. We are just humans who care enough to discover what lies beneath, the water that is!
Ps/ Pic taken on a recent trip at Raja Ampat which I can only describe as THE underwater safari! If you want an underwater aquarium, then I recommend Sipadan.
