{"id":48736,"date":"2019-09-04T16:34:44","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T23:34:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/soulofamerica.com\/?page_id=48736"},"modified":"2022-12-20T20:06:41","modified_gmt":"2022-12-21T04:06:41","slug":"abaco","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.soulofamerica.com\/international\/abaco\/","title":{"rendered":"Abaco"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Brendals

Brendals Dive Center in Abaco<\/strong>; (c) Soul Of America<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

Scuba Dive on Abaco Island, Bahamas<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Photos<\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0Hotels<\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0Map<\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Abaco is a large island just east of Grand Bahama Island, with more preserved reefs and proximity by a short flight or dive charter boat from GBI. That makes it an ideal day trip for dives or overnight dive trips. — Calvin Young, Soul Of America<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

My first dive trip took place off the Abaco Islands, Bahamas. What was it like? My first impression, it was harder than I expected. Diving for a beginner is work. Never being much of a quitter, I quickly adjusted to the things that an air-breathing human must do to live in water. Then came the wonder!<\/p>\n

I was in the water, breathing, swimming, watching the fish as they swam, floating among the coral and the plant life. After I got past the mechanics of how to dive, a profound change came over me. I was no longer a thing apart from the aquatic life in the ocean; I became a person with that life. The fish were no longer cold, mechanical, almost dead things that moved, they became more like pets, like Mulan and Mustapha, the family Pomeranians. As bizarre and strange as it sounds, I formed a relationship with the fish. They became, well … friends.<\/p>\n

\"Diver

Diver gets ready with Brendals instructor<\/strong>; (c) Soul Of America<\/p><\/div>\n

These fish had personalities, not like fish in a tank that just moves about the water like motorized objects without purpose or intent. Some were stand-offish, cruising beyond our range. Other fish were businesslike as they went about searching for food. Some were friendly and seemed to enjoy our company. I was intimidated by an enormous black grouper who thought my toes were worms and tried to nibble on them. Surprisingly he was easily discouraged when I moved my foot.<\/p>\n

One fish, in particular, helped with this transition. A large Nassau Grouper was the key to my becoming comfortable in what had been, until then, an alien world I was not a part of. We fed him. We rubbed his belly and then the bellies of other fish. We patted their heads. After a short time, they became my friends. Until this time, grouper was my food. Something I only enjoyed on a plate on a white tablecloth, or occasionally watched them swim in an aquarium.<\/p>\n

\"Diver

Diver touching a grouper fish<\/strong>; (c) Soul Of America<\/p><\/div>\n

Since I was swimming in their world, the fish seemed to accept me as one of them. They expressed a curiosity and watched me closely as I moved among them. I am under no illusion that fish are like humans, but I am now aware that I share much more in common with them than I had previously suspected. We are both alive. We eat, we reproduce, we aggress, and we have tender feelings. I suspect that we both appreciate love, the universal language.<\/p>\n

Let me digress for a moment. I had no fear of entering this new world since I had been thoroughly prepared by Brendal, one of the few elite master divers in the world who has trained over 5000 people to become certified, including his two sons who have become master divers. I had to answer questions to ensure that my health was sufficient to enter the water with the gear, had to watch mandatory videos, and receive instructions to be sure I understood the rules. <\/p>\n

Brendal exudes patience, confidence is gentle, and guides you correctly, often without you even knowing you are being led. It was his preparation and skill that permitted me to become quickly at home in the ocean, and then one with that world.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n