Scuba Diving in Tayrona National Park
I had decided to learn to SCUBA dive. I had always wanted to explore the aquatic world, and I stumbled onto the perfect opportunity. I had a full week with nothing planned and was staying in Minca, Colombia. A tropical paradise. Visiting Coffee farms, hiking through gorgeously green forests, and swimming in pools beneath tremendous, roaring waterfalls. I was in heaven and planned to stay for a while longer.
I began chatting with the owner of the local coffee shop I frequented and was informed that a short drive away was the most renowned SCUBA center in Colombia. Tayrona Park in Taganga. I considered my options, a week relaxing or an underwater adventure? I didn’t have to think too long. I jumped on the next bus and headed into the quaint town of Taganga to start mastering the art of SCUBA. I booked into a local back-packers, a perfect place to crash from exhaustion every night. The hammocks on the patio were a wonderfully comfortable place to nap whenever I was given a free moment. I studied the handbook along the beach, memorizing each word, gazing out longingly over the clear blue ocean in front of me. I enjoyed some stunning sunsets and delicious delectables at the local beach shack that fronted as a restaurant, although I always felt myself eagerly awaiting my first or later in the week, next, dive.
On my first day in Taganga, after booking into my backpackers, I headed straight for the diving center and met my instructor. I was given my instruction book, detailing all I needed to know about SCUBA, and started studying immediately. This meant I could start practicing in the center’s pool by the next afternoon, where I had my first experience breathing underwater. I was told what to expect, my instructor had gone over every moment with me, and yet the feeling was still an odd surprise. I had to fight against all my body’s instincts, and with my instructor watching over me, I took my first, of many, underwater breaths. She was proud and I was hooked. After I was an expert at pool diving and passed my written test, I was ready for my open ocean exam. Never in my life had I been so excited for an exam! I was finally capable of exploring the expansive open ocean I had admired every day from the beach. Taking the boat out with several other experienced divers, I felt the anticipation building. I was nervous, slightly terrified, excited, and eager all at the same time. I couldn’t wait to jump in and put all my pool practice to good use. Little did I know, the magical world beneath the waves was about to enchant me. Turtles, octopus, seahorses, coral in colors I had never before seen. Fish. So many fish. Of different colors, shapes, sizes. I would cherish this moment for the rest of my life, and feel a constant longing to return to this new world I had discovered.
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