It was my first dive after being certified. The Wisconsin group that I came with told me many stories of their dives at different locations. I, of course, was excited about our trip and hoping to see some of the wonderful marine life they were telling me about.

After we went down, you could see some barrel sponges. Sharon, my roommate, saw a black one. It was the first time she saw a black barrel sponge. The most exciting for me was watching a green sea turtle. I was able to get inches away from him. He wasn't nervous about us being in the water at all. The turtle just hung around for a while and then slowly swam away.

The dive masters told us about two huge grouper fish. I didn't see those; but on the last dive of the day, a grouper swam right by me. Right behind him was a small nurse shark. He was the cutest thing!

Two people in our party saw a lobster all sprawled out. I would have liked to see that, but there are many more dives ahead. I'm looking forward to finding one on my next dive.

Beside all the animals I have told you about, there were also tons of other fish and coral. Coming from a state which is cold for six months of the year, it is amazing to watch these beautiful animals.

Roxanne Eggersgluess