The Coral Reef (plural)

I never know whether to call them coral reeves or coral reefs.  With a degree in English, I should know.  Either way, when I first laid eyes on coral, I was in love.

Growing up I was not a swimmer, and the idea of getting in the water was less than appealing to me.  However, following a car accident, I was encouraged to learn to swim to improve my mobility.  So I did.  Now I love the water.

Typical of me, I did not expect to be a fan of snorkeling.  But, I am....  I never used to trust the idea that you could breathe through the pipe... turns out you can.  And the goggles are so much less annoying than swimming goggles.

The first time I went snorkeling was in Vanuatu.  Being told about the friendly coral fishes, we had to take a look.  The first time my head went under the water to see coral just there, by my feet, was amazing.  The photos never look as good as when the sun suddenly creates a beam of light through the clouds, illuminating the wonders below the surface.

The fish come out to play, in their own backyards, sharing their homes with the swimmers. 

When swimming over the coral, surrounded by tropical fish, I am a mermaid.  So where am I?  Underwater of course!

Totally awesome purple coral in the Loyalty Islands