Swimming with Gentle Giants

Sea monsters do exist. Far off the coast, where you can no longer see the white ribbon beaches or the highrise hotels of Cancun, in open water as clear as any pool back home. They congregate here, for the summer at least; and given the right conditions-- sunny, calm water-- congregate is too mild a word. They show up in droves, by the hundreds. Whale sharks. Propelled through the water by the gentle swish of a tail taller than most people, the great gaping mouth sucking in the plankton rich water. Swimming abreast one of these beasts, keeping pace, looking into its unblinking eye, watching the gills discharge and the attendant fish that follow like an entourage of groupies-- is like living a National Geographic episode. Time slows down. Stirring, majestic music springs to mind. You become the creature´s equal for a moment, and will carry that magic forever. It´s a fine way to end a trip; awed again at what this monsterous world has to offer. Yes, sea monsters do exist.