Schools of tang, black against the reef, turn suddenly in unison and catch the sun to become a brilliant, heartbreaking blue. Squirrel fish hover under ledges carpeted with coral polyps. Pink and white feather-duster worms sway delicately in the imperceptible current, then disappear before your eyes. Your heartbeat slows, and the terrestrial world is gone. It seems as if there is no future, no past, just the color in front of your eyes and the caressing support of the water itself.
Diving is an experience that is always brand new.
Each descent is a different adventure. In the beginning, just the sensation of breathing under forty or fifty feet of water is overwhelming. As that becomes comfortable, your senses reach out to try and take in some of the alien forms all around you. After you've learned to identify the myriad of species, you may begin to discern and enjoy observing behavior patterns. After awhile you begin to notice what species are more plentiful, which are a rare and wonderful treat.