18 Comments
User's avatar
Teyani Whitman's avatar

Amazing and deeply scary all at once.

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

All of life is, Teyani. It's just a matter of degree.

Expand full comment
Jan M. Flynn's avatar

Holy shit. I'm glad you lived to tell the tale. But also glad you included the video of the sardine run -- it's transcendent.

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

How I wish it were mine, Jan. However, even though my trip was cut short, my god what an experience. I"d been writing that Kili was my first real adventure; yet this was. Oh how time robs us sometimes. Thank god for journals....

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Wow… another great adventure story! Love…”I on wouldn’t have comedy material!” 😅I’d say your sense of humor helps along with knowing not to panic and rise slowly…in this one. Admire your voyage and can do attitude! So many fun trips…and you tell them so very well! Best kind of adventure travel writing! Loved this one! ❤️😅💕

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Thanks so much Joan. It was a fun memory. Plenty more coming!

Expand full comment
Laura | Sunhats and Chardonnay's avatar

Another great adventure!

This is one of my fears about diving. When I decide that I'm done, I will need to go up NOW.

I took most of a scuba course once. Until I got into the deep end of the pool and had a panic attack.

I decided that the ocean has a really big deep end and I did not want to die that way.

I am happy with snorkelling.

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

I freaked at the low end of the pool. It took all I had to put my face under the water and learn to breathe.

Expand full comment
Laura | Sunhats and Chardonnay's avatar

I'm ok with being in or under the water.

The problem I have is the length of time.

I'm done at about 20 minutes. Most dives are 45-60 minutes down below.

This is where I would freak out.

When I had my pool lesson, we were on the bottom of the pool and there were other divers closer to the surface. I did not like the idea of someone above me who could perhaps hinder my ascent.

Like I said, I like snorkeling.

Expand full comment
Gary Spangler's avatar

I was keenly reminded of the women’s rugby team while I attended Pennsylvania State University. Promotional merchandise bore the quip, “It takes leather balls to play rugby.” Mentally, spiritually, physically.

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Thanks Gary. These things do indeed teach us to be stronger!

Expand full comment
Grace Drigo's avatar

Your adventures are so fascinating! Thanks for sharing

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Thanks Gracey!

Expand full comment
Graeme Crawford's avatar

Kudos for the calm head in a very tough situation!!

Thanks for sharing such a great account of the action and the reflection, it made me feel like I was down there with you.

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Thanks Graeme. I'll give every single bit of credit to those scuba instructors who drilled safety procedures into my head first, then to the competent folks on that trip. Then I will take credit for doing the right things to make recovery easier. But first and foremost, I got good training.

Expand full comment
Patti Petersen's avatar

This is one of those reads I'm too astounded to comment. I'll leave it at that. Wow.

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Thanks Patti. Sometimes I'm astounded myself..not just that I did such things but that I'm still alive!

Expand full comment
Patti Petersen's avatar

Thank goodness.

Expand full comment