Sharks, Jellyfish, and Ocean Currents

We had an amazing weekend! It was our staff retreat, and a much needed break too. We spend Friday evening through Sunday camping on the Rock Island called Ngemelis. Ngemelis is about an hour away by speed boat, when we got there the tide had gone out, so we had to walk a ways in on a sand bar. Before sundown we spent some time swimming, but by that time the tide was coming back in and the current was pretty strong where we were, so we were all exhausted by the time we came back in.

Sabbath we decided to walk around the island, which we estimated was about 3 miles. Part way around the Island, we decided we were thirsty, so Nelson (our principal) just started climbing up a coconut tree like he was a monkey or something and the started sending coconuts down. It was pretty cool. So then some of us decided we were going to try. My attempt was really more of me hugging the coconut tree.

Sunday, we decided to go snorkeling. Most of the group had gone out before and we were trying to find them. When we got out farther, the current started getting pretty strong because the tide was going out. Finally we decided that we should head back to the edge of the island where we could walk along the edge of the rocks and the current wouldn't be as strong. Right before we start off, Tania says that she isnt a very strong swimmer. So we start out and I am swimming as hard as I can and finally i reach the rocks and stand up and start looking for the others. They are a little farther out, but most of them have reached the rocks also...except Tania and Jeri. Tania was screaming, "Help me guys, I can't fight the current anymore." So, I start freaking out and trying to make my way up the rocks. And Jeri is swimming with Tania trying to bring her in. I'm praying so hard with every step I take. Of course by the time I reach the others Jeri and Tania were around the corner of the island and we couldn't see them anymore. All we could do was wait and pray. Thankfully, Jeri is a strong swimmer and she was able to bring Tania in safely. I think the angels were swimming with them though. Tania said that she was actually able to stay calm the whole time. She thought it was funny that I was freaking out more than she was. But I think it is justified, because when you are fighting the current all you can think about is keep swimming. When you are standing on the safe rock, watching your friend and boss get swept out to ocean, it's easier to freak out because you are safe and you know they aren't yet.

Sunday afternoon we loaded the boats and did some snorkeling on the way back. We stopped at a couple different spots, and I finally saw some sharks! We even stopped at this one place that is known for sharks. At one point I had about 15 sharks swimming under me! Of course by under me I mean I was snorkeling at the top and they were about 20 feet below me. It was so cool. Oh and don't worry the sharks that are on the reef aren't really dangerous. The dangerous ones are out in the open ocean.

We also got to go to Jellyfish lake. For those of you who have never heard of it, Jellyfish lake is a land locked salt water lake. And in this lake, there are millions of Jellyfish. These Jellyfish are the only ones in the whole world that have lost there need to sting. They don't even have their stingers anymore. There was one point that I was swimming though thousand of them! I couldn't swim with out bumping into jelly fish. they are so cool. They range in size from the size of a pea to probably about 8 inches in diameter (at least from what I saw). I think Jellyfish lake is one of my favorite places!

Well, that was the basic overview of my weekend. It was great fun and we all got sunburned. I would have put pictures up but my camera batteries decided to die on me, so I didn't have my camera for the whole weekend.