Swimming with sharks in Shark Ray Alley

Yes, you read right. I went swimming with sharks. I have been doing some wild stuff this year. Needed to break out of my comfort zone and grow as a person. You can’t live inside your mental box forever.

Looking at the Nurse sharks from the boat photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

After going around the Barrier Reef, we went to shark ray alley. This part of Hol Chan had been made a tourist attraction due to all the sharks and sting rays. Tourists would swim with these dangerous and majestic creatures.

Underwater look of the sharks photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

I was the third to jump in. We had some courageous people on our tour. They knew all about sharks and the Marine Wildlife. It was a young professional couple who were marine biologists. They were traveling the world together after finishing their master’s degrees.

More underwater photo of the shark photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Getting in the water with these sharks was nerve wrecking. I kept my distances like a kid not wanting to eat broccoli. Still I was in awe with the sharks. You see them in movies and in the zoo. However, seeing them in person with no glass separating you was once in a life time experience.

A closer look of the nurse shark photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Started to swim closer to where the action was. The sharks looked like gentle animals that just wanted food. I kept getting a harmless vibe from these sharks. I saw the couple practically in the middle of where the sharks were eating. The sharks were feasting on the droppings the tour guides were leaving. Knowing what they were, the marine biologists even touched them. When I saw this at the time, I seriously thought these people were crazy.

Another closer look of the nurse shark photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

So these sharks are actually nurse sharks. They are like the couch potatoes of the shark family. Usually found in shallow waters and they are bottom feeders. Nurse sharks do not attack humans, unless they feel antagonisted. There have only been 5 recorded attacks from these somewhat gentle beasts. Even though their mouths are filled with sharp teeth, it’s not big enought to rip a limb off. It’s almost getting like bitten by a dog.

What I call “underwater grass” photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Keeping my distances, I was still in awe with the nurse sharks. They reminded me of dogs. The way the sharks moved had me thinking of my pets at home. Sometimes you forget how smart wildlife can be. As I was thinking about this, a nurse shark swam under me. One of the most scariest moments on this trip and probably the year. At the time, I did not know much about sharks. So of course, I thought I skipped death.

A sting ray photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

While still being in the water, I saw a sting ray. It was about 40 feet away from me. Heard the stories about these creatures. I was definitely not wanting to pet this animal. It was fine just looking from afar. Being in this underwater world has really changed my views. This experience made me wonder. Who’s more deadlier, humans or sharks? Life is so amazing. Truly glad to have witnessed this Marine ecosystem.

Thank you for reading. Much love and safe travels!

About three of you had a sneek peak of this post. Accidentally, pressed the publish buttom trying to preview. Anyways, thank you for being patience.

To start your own adventures, check out the link below.

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

August 3, 2019 39

Facing reality while Swimming through the Second Biggest Barrier Reef

This is something not many people know about Belize. Belize’s Barrier Reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. Commonly known as the Great Mayan Reef. It was such a great opportunity to able to swim and see it in person.

unhealthy coral photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Being the second largest Coral Reef in the world, I couldn’t believe all the colors that my eyes were seeing. I was breathlessly taken away with all the corals. I went scuba diving before but, seeing that the corals are alive reminded me how amazing unwater life is.

More unhealthy coral photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

The corals kept moving like an animal made out of stone would. It’s still crazy to see rocks move on their own. Seeing the fish hiding under and in between the corals made feel like the cameraman in Finding Nemo 2.

photos of the great Mayan reef photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Still in awe, I kept swimming with my group. Trying to keep up, I kept taking photos. Always at the end of the group, the tour guides kept pointing to keep up with the pack. However, it was hard for me to not stop every ten feet of swimming.

more photo of the Mayan barrier reef photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

There was a point where the water became shallow that the Reef was almost sticking out. Had to swim back a little so I wouldn’t get cut and attract sharks. Well, we would still attract sharks; however, that’s a story for another post.

Looking back, all the photos I took had signs of unhealthy coral. When the water’s temperature starts to rise, the coral almost start a process of suicide. The coral will start becoming white through a natural bleaching. Through this bleaching, the coral will start hardening and with time will die. Experiencing climate change twice in less than two weeks, made really think twice about our current atmosphere’s health. The ice glacier in Iceland, I saw last week, was about to melt and the second biggest barrier reef on the verge of death. We really need to look at ourselves in the mirror and face reality. Our world is changing and we are one of the main reasons for it. I just hope these nature’s beauty will last long enough for my future children to be able see them.

Thank you for reading. Much love and safe travels!

July 27, 2019 28

Snorkeling through Belize’s Hol Chan Marine Reserve

One of the biggest tourist attractions in Belize is Hol Chan. Off the coast of Caye Caulker, Hol Chan is majestically beautiful. People from all over the world come to this wonderful display of nature.

Snorkeling in the Caribbean sea photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Hol Chan means little channel in Mayan. The water makes you feel that you are swimming in the sky. The water is so clear at parts. It’s hard to believe that this was not a swimming pool.

Fish of the Caribbean Sea photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

I knew my gopro would come in handy. As I was taking the photos, all I could think about was showing you all this experience. It’s such a blessing to be swimming in the Caribbean. May I remind you all, this was in the end of February/ early March.

Photos courtesy of Hugo Morel

Our tour guide started taking photos as well. He had his own gopro. The more photos he started taking, the more I thought about his intentions. He is taking photos to keep his business afloat. Those are not my reasons now. I take these photos for you all. I read some of you can’t travel due to illnesses or other reasons. I’m blessed to be able to show you all the world through my photos.

Another photo of the Caribbean sea photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Snapped back into reality, our group continued to go further into the sea. I had to catch up. I was too busy being lost in my thoughts, while my group kept swimming. Swam like a dolphin swimming for it’s life. I’m not about to get lost in the sea.

The crystal blue water kept taking my breath away, in all ways possible. The beauty left me speechless and the sea’s currents would occasionally give me a mouthful of salty water. Wouldn’t trade this moment for anything in the world.

Turtle in the wild photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Eventually, I saw a turtle. I have seen turtles before but never one in the wild. It looked so peaceful and moved slow. The turtle truly had the Caribbean attitude.

In this underwater paradise, my worries and stress were gone. For once in a long time, I felt like I was finally on vacation. Lost in the feeling of the moment, I got on the boat. Our next underwater adventure was about to start.

Thank you for reading. Much love and safe travels!

To start your own adventures, check out the link below.

July 20, 2019 20

Belize, here I come!

This was the first time in a long time that I visited a Central American country. Belize, was truly something to be excited about. Home to the second biggest Barrier reef, I couldn’t wait to show you all the photos.

Me holding my gopro photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

For this trip, I definitely had to buy a camera that took underwater photos. Belize has some awesome Caribbean beaches. The whole time I was at the store, I kept thinking how beautiful the photos would look. You all are in store for some very beautiful photos with crystal clear water coming in a few weeks.

Waiting at the Charlotte International Airport photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Had to do an overnight layover in Charlotte, North Carolina. Came during the worst time. It was during the NBA All-Star weekend. So, there was no point of going out of the airport to find a hotel. If I had, I would have extra stress getting back to the airport with all the traffic from the All-Star games.

The door of my room at the lounge photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Found an overnight lounge for a decent price. It’s crazy how my room was named after the local football team. If you are ever at the Charlotte airport during an overnight layover, keep in mind that the airport shuts down after around 10 pm. The security will kick you out, if they see you wondering around later than 11pm. Best to find a lounge or some overnight accommodation.

Belize photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

After a goodnight sleep, I woke up and went towards my departure gate. The best thing about most overnight lounges, you don’t have to recheck yourself through security in the morning. Got on my flight, slept like a baby during the flight.

Next thing I knew, I was in Belize. My adventures in this country were about to begin! Couldn’t wait to see the Caribbean Blue waters!

Thank you for reading. Much love and safe travels!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come without breaking the bank: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe0

July 6, 2019 27