Madison Pahl is a student at Chapman University and an ISA Photo Blogger. She is currently studying abroad with ISA in Wellington, New Zealand.
“My soul is full of longing for the secrets of the sea, and the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
It never occurred to me how deeply I could fall in love with the ocean and the magnificent world that lies just underneath the surface. Even as a kid, I knew I had a love for the ocean, but I never imagined I would have the opportunity to experience it in the most unbelievable way possible. During my mid-semester break, I was lucky enough to find myself in Cairns, Australia, only a short boat ride from the Great Barrier Reef, where I was able to dive at two different locations. This experience is almost unexplainable; it was as if I were part of the ocean and meant to be there at that exact moment in time. I want to share with you just a glimpse of what made me fall in love with this spectacular world.
The Great Barrier Reef is the home of 10 percent of the world’s total fish species, making it one of the best diving destinations!
Just like Crush from Finding Nemo, you can find around 6 different species of sea turtles swimming the Great Barrier Reef, living up to 100 years or more!
Estimated to be around 20,000,000 years old, it is no wonder why it is considered a wonder of the world!
Having had the opportunity to dive the Great Barrier Reef has left me understanding that we are only a small fraction of the entire universe, and we must take every opportunity possible to explore and learn more about our world.
The world awaits…discover it.