Boat Ride Up the Napoli Coast

Boat Ride Up the Napoli Coast
The Quigley Expedition to Ka’uai, Hawaii, 8-14-2010

As our Ka’uai tour boat reached the half-way point up the Napoli coast the boat slowed to a stop for our snorkeling opportunity. Almost as soon as the boat stopped the younger, more macho types slipped into the water. Not long after that Mark and Alex adorned themselves with masks and flippers, grabbed a “boogie” board with the clear plastic window, and slid off the boat’s stern deck which was barely above water level. You could tell when Alex was in because the delighted, piercing scream of a 7 year old girl was cut short by the sound of a splash. There was a short pause then excited giggling as she emerged from the ocean depths. Her father helped her onto the boogie board then there was excited talk as they paddled away spotting fish below. Next we heard the reluctant yet excited talk of Lizzy and her mother as they too slipped into the water. Since there was only one boogie board Lizzy climbed onto the safety of a small surf board while one hand held firmly onto her mother. At three years old Lizzy showed more reluctance than Alex but was still thrilled that she could be swimming in the ocean. The swimming classes had paid off. They might not yet be expert swimmers but at least they were not afraid of the water.

Both Lorri and Michelle managed to appear in the water next but with far less fuss or noise. With my game leg it took me longer to get the shoes off and the gear on. But when that was done I managed to limp to the railing and start down the steps. My main impediment was the crew member who insisted on helping me get to the water. But I finely got to the last step, turned and fell backwards into the water. I instantly sensed the power available in the flippers and with a couple of kicks was beside Lorri and Alex, who was now on the surf board while Lizzy was on the boogie board laughing and screaming with exuberance at the fish she saw.

Just then Mark’s heat popped above the surface of the water and he yelled, “Turtle! Dad! It’s headed right toward you”. I quickly secured my mask, blew out my snorkel and stuck my head below the surface. Just then I saw a turtle made huge by its proximity was swimming straight for me. Mark was hot on it’s tail and the turtle was looking behind itself to be sure it was out swimming Mark. But it did not seem afraid. It didn’t want anyone touching it, but it was still hoping for a scrap of food. I was amazed that it was coming straight for me and didn’t seem to be aware I was in its path. With one kick of the flippers I was back out of its way as it glided by me with Mark still on its heels.

Even though the fish were mostly black the bright color of the stripes were amazing. I had to look twice to be sure they were not fake fish with bright neon lights down their sides. But they were real enough and they too had almost no fear as they swam among the people in the water. My only regret was the lack of an underwater camera.

Most of the people were in the water when the captain announced that our snorkeling time was up. As we clambered back onto the boat we were still too excited to be disappointed at the brevity of our visit. The rest of the voyage was anticlimactic even though we saw more turtles—some two feet across, lots of dolphins and also many birds, at a distance, gliding over the water then diving in for an afternoon fish lunch.