Andaman is well known all across India for its crystal clean beaches and for the underwater wonders that you can explore with the various water activities they provide. To explore the same, I'd visited Andaman last year.
Scuba Diving had always been on my bucket list but I kept postponing it due to my aquaphobia. It's funny how some childhood incidents can leave such deep-rooted scars.
It's actually ironical that someone who loves beaches is actually scared of diving into water. But the good thing about my phobia is that it creeps in only when my feet is not touching the ground underneath the water.
On the third day of my Andaman trip, my friends and I visited one of the scuba diving centre. I had a long conversation with some of the instructors who assured me that it's completely safe and they'll be by my side throughout the experience.
So I confirmed my booking and off we went with them. The entire experience takes about an hour. The first 15min is spent in changing into the diving suit and wearing all the gears.
The next 15min is spent in the water where they give elaborate instruction and training. They'll teach you how to breathe under water and most importantly about the various hand gestures and signs with which you can communicate with them under water.
They assign 1 instructor to each diver and 1 person to record video and click pictures underwater.
I expressed my fear with going further into the water to my instructor and luckily for me, he was extremely understanding. He was patient enough and we took few pauses before reaching the diving spot.
When we finally dived underneath, I was so mesmerised by the sight that lay in front of me that for a second I forgot all about my fear. We went till the bottom where I could stand and watch different fishes float right around me.
I was lucky enough to spot a clownfish ('Nemo' from Finding Nemo).
There I was, floating amidst different types of fishes and planktons, overcoming my fear, living my dream and making memories that will be imprinted on my brain for lifetime.
Here's hoping that I get to do it again in the near future. Maybe the next time I'll dive with a little more confidence and go the extra mile to dive a little more deeper. As Jacques Yves Cousteau once said -
"The best way to observe a fish is to become a fish."
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