Maldives Diaries- Shark Tales

Mumma bear has done it and I’m so proud of her!

Let me rewind back to 2007.

While we were in Florida in 2007, Mumma bear and I were at Typhoon Lagoon, where they used to have a “swim with baby sharks reef”. The staff were very clear about the importance of only using your hands to swim as any strong kicking could cause distress to sharks and potentially make it difficult for them to breathe. Unfortunately, Mumma bear took a huge gulp of salt water, panicked then proceeded to kick violently. She was therefore removed from the tank with staff telling her she was too much of a threat to the baby sharks. I will add, a few days later she snorkelled beautifully, photographing the stingrays at Discovery Cove, but I think since this episode, she’s been nervous about swimming in pressured situations.

Fast forward to today.

We had booked to go on a nurse shark excursion, which is so exciting as nurse sharks are curious and friendly, not to mention very cute. Joyce is PADI trained and has done many dives in her life so loves this sort of thing, Mumma bear on the other hand was nervous. However, she has no need to be, all 3 of us had the best time swimming up close and personal with nurse sharks. At one point, 2 actually swam right up to Mumma bear and I think there may have been a moment where she wondered if they had spotted lunch, but she held her nerve and there was no violent kicking or gulping salt water this time. Unfortunately, I don’t have any underwater photos of the sharks, as part of me just wanted to enjoy the experience rather than wrestle with my phone underwater.

We’ve spent the rest of the day chilling (roasting) while reading in sun followed by dinner and some drinks.