Condor Kristen: One fish, two fish

Snorkeling in the Gili islands was one of the most dreamlike experiences I’ve ever had. I enjoy snorkeling, a lot. I’ve snorkeled Key West, Islands off of Thailand, the Caribbean and even in the pool in my parent’s backyard in New York. However, snorkeling in the Gili Islands surely takes the cake.

First off, the long boat/catamaran was glorious – hanging on the hammock or side nets while cruising through the Indian Ocean getting your bottom wet with every jump over the big waves is something one must experience once in their lifetime. The smell of clove cigarettes and Indo chatter and laughter in the background while inhaling the salty air and then spying bright blue and yellow fishies under the water just inches from your fingers as they graze the surface of the ocean, man I can close my eyes and feel it and play it over and over again for the rest of my life.

We snorkeled the reefs off of all three islands of the Gilis: Trawangan, Meno and Air. But it wasn’t until our last stop by Gili Air that our guide brought magic into the ocean (and a trick I will use moving forward when snorkeling), he put loads of bread in a water bottle and brought it on our snorkel journey. Katie, my Aunt Liza and I all took turns feeding the fish underwater. It wasn’t just one or two fish that would come to scrounge up the tasty treat, I had hundreds of rainbow colored fish circling me and pecking at my hands and the bottle of bread. Then to top it off, our guide swam over carrying a giant tortoise. As the current took the fish and us, we all gazed in amazement as the tortoise cooperated with the guide and let us pet him for what seemed like an eternity.

I have never had an experience like that before. I do admit that my love for animals above water has lead to phenomenal occurrences, like a 3 ton elephant hugging me with her trunk, but I have never had sea creatures let their fear down and come that close. I had to remind myself over and over to just float there and watch and absorb the beautiful site that may never be re-created.

Like many instances on my trip, and you may very well get sick of me saying it, but my time in the Gili Islands took my breath away and every time I close my eyes I smile and breathe deeply remembering that feeling. This is what I imagine heaven to be like.

I want to feel like this forever…