Friday, February 15, 2008

LAZY SUNDAY #15: THE UNDERWATER CAR

One of the most rewarding things I've done in life was learning to scuba dive. It has allowed me to explore the completely different planet that exists under our oceans from the Caribbean to the Great Barrier Reef. From glistening transluscent jelly creatures to forests of fan coral, the beauty on offer down there is endlessly overwhelming. And it's almost impossible to describe the thrill of swimming with giant sea turtles, stingrays and even sharks.

On one of my earliest dives I also came face to face with an Atomic submarine. We were swimming off the coast of Grand Cayman when this gigantic shape suddenly loomed out of the endless blue. It was a British submarine ascending the bottomless Cayman Wall and silently gliding past on its way into Port.

Later that evening, we ran into the ship's crew partying ashore and told them of seeing their arrival. One of the lads was their sonar operator, who described getting a visual fix on our dive party so the Captain could breeze past without incident.

A new machine designed to take you underwater in style has just "surfaced" in that legendary nation of hardy seafarers -- Switzerland. And no matter what your swimming abilities, this is definitely the coolest way to explore a reef. Anybody who's got one -- I'll be shotgun.

Enjoy your Sunday.


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