With all our wonderful travels, I know I have nothing to complain about. We are very fortunate and thankful to have the opportunity to travel around the world and experience other people and cultures. But in all these adventures The Professor and I have had over the last three months, none of it equates to being surrounded by loved ones during the chaotic, noisy, football tossing, puzzle solving, belly-filling time of Thanksgiving.
But here I am, in Amsterdam, still with many photos to share of our last several months of travel. I'm only up to the end of September when we were in Port Douglas (Australia).
The Professor made arrangements for us to spend a day out on the Great Barrier Reef, the 'down under wonder'. A 'must do' when in Australia! It was about an hour ride out to the reefs and we were scheduled to visit three sites.
We are pretty comfortable snorkeling, diving not so much. There were some divers on the boat but actually with the reef within arms' length, snorkeling was just as awesome. Can you find The Professor in the above image? I'm already in the water .... waiting. (That's how it usually is with us ... warm activities, I'm always waiting on him. Winter activities ... he's always waiting on me!)
The water is remarkably clean and blue
and the reef so vibrant and alive.
I didn't capture a lot of incredible fish images. I wish I could claim the one below, but it was from a disk of underwater life provided to us from the boat company.
My images were more like of this guy below.
Do you know how hard it is to hold a camera steady underwater!!!
Needless to say, many of my images were less than sharp.
One thing I was determined to capture, though, was the image of releasing some of my mother's ashes in the Great Barrier Reef. I had chosen this location with the thought that what better place for her to travel the world than on the ocean's great highways. So with her ashes secretly tucked in my swimsuit, The Professor and I swam a distance from the boat and others, I opened the plastic container and spread the contents in the water. The effect was the image below.
It was magical.
Even more magical was to be in the midst of her.
Both of us floating.
To destinations yet held in mystery.
Love you mom.
~ ~ ~
16 comments:
oh cool...i would love to go diving...i have several blog friends that do and i always marvel at their pictures...a whole different world...
oyster stuffing, i would like to try that too...yum...
Terrific captures, Reena!! I went diving off the coast of Mexico a few years ago and it was awesome!! So fun to look the fish in the eye!!! Enjoy the fun and the beauty! Thanks for sharing!!
Very heart warming
What a lovely place to be! Wonderful!
What a wonderful moment you've captured in the releasing of the ashes.
The image of the ash release was like looking at stars floating to heaven! Lovely!
what a perfect 'end' .. both of you in water: just as you were in her while she carried you .. now you've carried her! xo
what a wonderful gift you just gave yourself and your mother....bless her soul!!
so beautiful !!!
xo
What a lovely and magical way to pay tribute to your mother. Fantastic photos, Reena.
What a beautiful place and treasured and memorable moment.
Magical way to set sail your mother's ashes. Beautiful shots.
What a wonderful adventure you are having, Reena, but I do know what you mean about being with family. Nothing replaces that.
I'm with you on the diving. I tried it in Bermuda, once. Never again. Just really disliked it.
Wonderful adventures and very precious memories and moments too. What a day that must have been.
We missed Thanksgiving with our family as well. I felt a bit sad. I just love your underwater photos. And The photo of your Moms ashes is beautiful. One to be framed. Such a wonderful way to honor her.
Hugs~
What a beautiful thing to do for your mom, Reena, and an awesome experience.
A memorable moment Reena.
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