Coral Reefs

One of the things that I have absolutely fallen in love with is diving, with or without scuba gear. Unfortunately I wasn't able to do the PADI course this time around, but it didn't really matter. Diving with a mask, a snorkel, and fins is fun enough. It's wonderful. Last month Julia, 11 years, went snorkeling for the first time in her life. After she got over the initial shock (it can be intimidating even for an adult), she wouldn't get out of the water. She even manage to hold her breath long enough for 4-5 meter dives. (Elena, a friend with whom I visited Malaysia in 2005, sent me this picture of herself - ha, this isn't a picture of Julia. Elena travels regularly to the Mediterranean and to the Red Sea.)