Self-discovery in the Pacific North West, USA

“GO! GO! GO! EVERYBODY, GO! NOW”! The orders were being shouted loud and clear, everybody had to “GO NOW”, but my friends and I were too timid to go. Our nerves kept us on the boat. Our tour guide didn’t wait for us, however. He followed his own command. He took the plunge. Standing next to my friends, I decided I had to go for it too. I jumped, and then, just like that, the cozy confines of our aluminum vessel were gone. I was submerged. I quickly earned the day’s grand prize. I was swimming with dolphins – not dolphins in an aquarium, or dolphins trained to frolic in a pool, but real, wild, dolphins – out in Pemba Bay, Mozambique.

Basically, this is just the story of the time I went snorkelling, while backpacking in Africa. In reality, however, it is something more. Why? Well, at first, I wasn’t so sure myself. At the time, I was overwhelmed by the enchanting sound of the waters, and each of my limbs seemed to be swaying to the rhythm. The discomfort of the wet snorkel rubbing against my eyes and gums was drifting away. The only sight was that of the dolphins peacefully passing between me and the deep blue backdrop. Being in that water was moving, and it seemed to be teaching me something.

Just then, the need for air sucked me back to the surface. Sticking my head out of the bay to breathe was like waking from a vivid dream. The heat from the tropical sun welcomed me back to reality. I could see my mates still back up on the boat, as I looked up. I shouted to them “you have to get in here NOW”! After reiterating the guide’s original orders, I dunked back into the water. My trancelike feeling was back, and then, I understood what was happening.

I went to Africa, because I wanted to see wildlife. In Northern Mozambique, I knew I would see beaches, but I never really associated marine-life with backpacking through the African bush. When I ventured out into Pemba Bay that afternoon, I made an unexpected connection with nature. I wasn’t on safari, seeking lions or giraffes. I uncovered a different side of Africa. I discovered its underwater world.