Day 491: February 3, 2026 – Foa Island, Tonga (off-ship excursion)
The irony is not lost on me, that I have a blog called Oceanview, but am terrified of putting my face in the ocean. The feeling of not being able to breathe normally underwater immediately triggers panic. Everyone in our little excursion group (including the two youngest members, teenagers Aliona and Lucia) were out snorkeling or diving daily, so I was starting to have a case of imposter syndrome. I had taken a snorkeling lesson in Maldives some 20+ years ago and although I did manage it, the experience was so stressful I never tried it again. At our Tonga resort, I decided to give it another shot.
Dive instructor extraordinaire Ellie slowly and ever so patiently walked me through it step-by-step. Starting with just lying in the water, then taking slow deep breaths, then with just mouthpiece on and finally with mask on. She had such a calm, attentive presence that lo and behold, I was able to keep my face in the water, rather than wanting to rip the mask of after 2 seconds. So hey, at 70 years of age, I can finally call myself a snorkeler!
Action photography by Ben, whose encouragement to join this excursion made this moment possible.
Back at the lodge, this milestone called for a celebration. Now that I’ve mastered snorkeling, maybe I can master beer-drinking next?
33 responses to “I’m a Snorkler!”
So happy for you! One of my favorite things to do in life.
I could see how it might turn out to be one of my favorites too.
Perfect timing conquering that challenge when you are in these amazing places to snorkle!! š
Exactly. If I don’t do it here, I’m not likely to do it anywhere.
Perfect timing conquering that challenge when you are in these amazing places to snorkle!! š
Congratulations Basiaš Hopefully you will learn to enjoy it as much as myself & many do. Next you might need an underwater camera to capture the fish š”as well as you do the birds š¦.
Yes, I’m afraid this may lead to another obsession.
Woooohooo
So happy for you!!! Proud of you! Water is life!!! I love playing in the water!!!
Way To Go!!!!!
Congratulations!!!
Thanks Ron
Good for you, girl!!! In one of the photos, you’re so relaxed you look like you’ve been doing it forever. You’re going to fall in love with the wonderful things you’ll be able to see while you’re gently floating around in the gorgeous blue-green waters. Good work overcoming your fears and getting out there and enjoying the magic that is snorkeling! š
Thatās so amazing! Good for you on conquering your fears š
I am so proud of you ! Snorkeling is fun and youāll be buying a water camera next ! Youāll be looking forward Lifers in Fish . I remember how terrified you were in Hamps boat to go see the pelicans ! Try it again !
I remember that day very well.
I love how honest you are about the fearāso many people quietly struggle with that, especially when everyone else makes it look effortless. Ellieās slow, step-by-step approach really shows how patience and trust can change the whole experience. Calling yourself a snorkeler at 70 feels less like a label and more like a well-earned mindset shift.
AI Music Generator – do you have an actual name? I would like to interact with you but you seem like a robot, in which case, I don’t want to waste my time.
And you wrote this post BEFORE your second champion snorkeling adventure today! So proud of you, my friend!
I’m just breezing through this, aren’t I. Ha ha
Excellent! Now, if you need coaching on drinking beer, I’m your guy!
Lol, I’ll keep that in mind, Jim!
Congratulations!! Itās a whole new world underwater!
I got a tiny glimpse of it on this trip.
Hurrah! I could benefit from those same lessonsā¦ So very happy for you!
Come join us Margret, we’ve got room on the ship for you.
Congrats! You have literally opened up a whole new world for yourself!
I did indeed.
Congratulations! Hoping you will join on some snorkeling trips now š
That is a good possibility now!
Good for you! Now you can get an underwater camera and get started on your life list of fish!
Yes, get started on another obsession.. š
Well done Basia…bottoms up !
I would have known that comment was from you, even without your name on it!
Over joyed for you!! So so proud of you and canāt wait to do more today!