An extraordinary subterranean world-Diving in Mauritius

"Just do it" were the last words i heard from my instructor as i finally tumbled backwards off the side of the boat into the indian ocean.I don't blame him for getting slightly firm with me.I had after all been balancing precariously for a good five minutes on the edge of the boat debating whether i had the guts to take the plunge.I was the youngest of all and was almost shivering on my own on the boat!
I had a 'regulator' jammed in my mouth,a mask menacingly enclosing my nose and eyes,a 12litre tank of air dragging down on my back and a pair of ungainly flippers encasing my feet.It was not exactly the most pleasurable experience i could imagine,especially since i'm scared of the sea.
If i'm being honest,things did not get much better after hitting the water.While to my great surprise,having emerged upright from a swirling mass of bubbles,i was still alive,i was hyperventilating like crazy and had an overriding desire to simply rip off every piece of equipment and jump back on the boat.
"What finally triggered my decision to 'go for it'?,was i wondering.An act of madness or faith?"As my breathing calmed down,I realised that it had indeed been faith.Faith in the fact that my scuba diving instructor,Gerald,really thought that i could do it.
Or rather,he knew i could do it.Like any scuba diving instructor on the island,it is more than what their job and reputation are worth to transfer any beginner from basic sub-aqua training exercises during which you familiarise yourself with equipment and the basic principles of the sport in the safety of a pool to the sea without an implicit belief that you can cope with the underwater challenges ahead.
And so it was time to actually descend.Little by little,down we went and the deeper we went,the bigger my eyes became and the more rapidly fear was replaced with awe and wonder.The equipment,so alien and ungainly on dry land,is carried effortlessly under the ocean.And,as you glide peacefully through this extraordinary subterranean world,one of the things that strikes you most is the noise.Or rather the lack of it.
No mobiles ringing or bleeping to grab your attention and tell you of an incoming text!No car or plane engine roaring.No sirens.No voices.Everything under water is communicated through sign language,which that there is just the genle,regular,rhythmic sound of your breathing and the bubbles this produces as you float peacefully suspended by the water.The slow,deep breaths in diving have often been compared to those experienced when practising yoga.I can see what they mean.
Then,there is what you see.Precisely what you see,of course,depends where you dive in Mauritius.But in the beautiful sites off the Flic en Flac coast to which i was taken,there is wonder all around.In the soft blue light,which is naturally gentle on the eyes,big grey Eagle rays sweep by,their 'wings' carrying them effortlessly on.Octopuses pulsate past and fascinatingly ugly stone fish stare staight at you before returning to the camouflage of their rocks.Majestic,orange lion fish with translucent spines float by while orange-n-white-striped clown fish(think of Nemo!)peep from their violet anemone and bright turqouise surgeon fish dash about their daily tasks blissfully unaware of their beauty.A little further,glided by the currents,a schoal of zebra fish awaiting us.Down below,I saw clamps and kept waiting if it would open itself.Not very far were lying beauties of the indian ocean.There were reef fish,carp schools and the famous cathedral.The cathedral is an enormous cave with light filtering through a crack in the ceiling,it is one of the most incredibly atmosphere and you think-am i really seeing this?I ventured 13 metres down and saw giant murray eels,lobsters,an extraordinary number of kingfish and other murray eels hiding,rarely seen in this world-famous dive site.WOW
I have asked many experienced divers whether they still feel stunned by what they see.The answer is always a resounding 'yes'.
The sight never lose their thrill.I was amazed by the intricate patterns,the astonishinglyvibrant colours and the sheer beauty of life underwater.
No fashion designer could in their most imaginative dreams dress fish more elegantly,it's a gift to humans from god simply.Add to this corals,the sea fans and the breathtaking architecture of rock formations and when you are in the presence of such natural beauty and tranquility it helps to see the world in perspective.This was only 50 minutes of precious peace.
Back onto the boat and preparing a barbeque on board(unusual but true),a cold exotic cocktail drink in my hand and i wondered.......long before ascending from my first dive i knew that i too would be going back to experience more and more of this extraordinary world...I promise,if i can learn to dive anyone can.When you visit Mauritius,abandon the sun lounger,as my instructor said..."just do it"....a whole new world is waiting for you in underwater Mauritius!

Sites to discover-main catch points
*The North-underwater visibility is good in the dive sites but is mainly for snorkling.These include Merville patches and aquarium-a channel of sand in between two reefs,a real delight.
Others in the North are shark point which is surrounded by rocks with circling reef sharks and whale rock which is a unique combination of only black and white marine life.
*The East Coast-the sea can be rough but great adventures.These include Belle Mare Passe:sharks,schools of fish including barracuda and other sea monsters and sea valley:a dive full of tuna,dolphins and huge Marlins.
*Another lovely site in the south Blue Bay where we've got the biggest Brain Coral in the Indian ocean.

TIPS
*Diving helps you lose weight.We burn as many as calories diving as during an energetic tennis match.This is mostly because we use lots of calories heating up the cool air breathed from the tank to body temperature.
*you cannot dive with a cold or ear infection.So,eat plenty of the wonderful Mauritius fresh fruits,vegetables and garlic to boost vitamin C and to ward off colds.Also chew the root of fresh ginger on your way to the diving site if you get seasick.The super nutrients gingeriols in ginger quell travel sickness.

Well folks,again it's long but it takes less than 5 minutes to read through.Hope you visit Mauritius-the paradise island one day.There's plenty much to say about this tiny island,it's history,it's beauties....Read more about it!
your comments are most welcomed:)