My Sea Safari Journey: Hitting Those Marks
So, I decided I wanted to do more than just go on a sea safari. You know, actually make it a proper project, something I could track. I wasn’t just gonna be a passenger snapping random pics. My goal was to really see things, understand a bit, and log some personal milestones. Like, spotting certain creatures or behaviors, things that felt like achievements for me.
First off, I got my gear sorted. Not fancy stuff, just reliable binoculars, a waterproof notebook, and my old camera. The first couple of days out on the water were… well, they were okay. Saw some gulls, a few common fish near the surface. Nothing really felt like a ‘milestone’. It was nice, sure, but I wasn’t really working for it yet, just looking around.
Hitting the First Real Marker
Then came the first proper moment. We were cruising along, and I’d been scanning the horizon for maybe an hour, trying to ignore the boat rocking. Patience was key, I kept telling myself. Suddenly, I saw them – a pod of dolphins, not just jumping, but actively herding fish. It was intense! Managed to scribble down notes, even got a few blurry photos. It wasn’t just luck; it felt like I’d earned it through sheer persistence. That was milestone number one in my book. Felt pretty good, honestly.
Getting Deeper Into Observation
After that, I started trying to anticipate. Where would the animals likely be? What time of day? Started paying more attention to the crew, the water currents, the birds. It wasn’t just about spotting anymore, but about understanding the environment a little. My logbook started filling up with more than just names – notes on behavior, location, time.
- Spent ages trying to photograph flying fish. They are FAST. Mostly got splashes.
- Learned to use the glare on the water to my advantage sometimes, silhouetting shapes.
- Got way better at just being quiet and watching, not fiddling with gear constantly.
The Underwater Challenge Milestone
The next big step for me was snorkeling with purpose. I wanted to identify specific coral types I’d read about. The first few tries were clumsy. Mask fogging up, getting water in the snorkel, startling the fish. But I kept at it. Then, one afternoon, exploring a shallow reef, I found it – that specific brain coral structure I was looking for, and right next to it, a pair of clownfish darting around an anemone, just like in the books. Got a decent, clear picture this time too. Documented. Milestone two achieved. It felt like connecting the dots between reading about it and seeing it live.
Dealing with the Rough Patches
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, literally. We had a day of choppy water where just staying upright was tough. Saw absolutely nothing noteworthy. Another day, the visibility underwater was terrible. You plan, you practice, but the ocean does its own thing. That’s part of the deal, I guess. It made the successful moments feel even better, though. You appreciate them more when you know they aren’t guaranteed.
Finding the Unexpected
My final personal milestone wasn’t something I specifically targeted. We were heading back one evening, light fading. I was just doing a final scan of the water. And then, clear as day, a big sea turtle surfaced not far from the boat. Not just any turtle, but one the guide identified as a species less common in that specific area. It just calmly looked around and then dove back down. Didn’t get a photo, barely had time to jot it down. But seeing something slightly unexpected, confirming it later… that felt like a real sign my observation skills were getting sharper. That was milestone three.
Looking back at my notebook and photos now, it feels different from other trips. It’s a record of effort, not just sights. The milestones weren’t just ticks on a list; they marked points where I felt I’d genuinely progressed in my little self-imposed practice of observing and documenting the sea. It wasn’t perfect, lots of blurry pics and scribbled notes, but it’s my record of the journey.
