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Sunday, October 18, 2009

SWIMMING WITH THE MANTA RAYS

The word is incredible - again! I use it a lot, but we've seen and done some wonderous things this past year. This is one of the top adventures! We boarded the boat at sunset and joined several other boats out in a cove somewhere north of Kailua-Kona. Lots of lights are dropped into the ocean to draw the planketon which draws the manta rays and mackeral. We donned wet suits and snorkel gear and went over the side holding onto a floaty ring. We waited a short while and then --- these creatures swam up and around us, doing barrel rolls. Some were about 12 feet wide and there were about 20 of them. Amazing!! As one comes toward you with its mouth open you can see inside it! They came close enough that we had to pull back to keep from touching them. Touching them is a big no-no. They are covered in a slime of sorts that protects them. Touch and disturb the slime and they become vulnerable to disease. Just so amazing!! It was hard to get a good photo as the contrast between the black as night water and the lights shining on the white undersides of the mantas is so high plus the speed they travel at make it difficult to adjust to when you are trying to stay afloat!





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