PHOTO FRIDAY: DIVING WITH SHARKS IN COIBA MARINE PARK

Liz gets a close-up view of a white-tipped reef shark in Panama's Coiba National Marine Park. 

ZANZIBAR FISH MARKET

A shark awaits his turn on the auction block, momentarily ignored by the fish-buying crowd behind him.

A stroll through Stone Town's daily fish market delivers some intense scenery outdone only by its potent smells. The place seriously reeks.  

But the sight itself is worth the nasal discomfort, not only for the fish viewing as much as for the chance to watch and talk with the fishermen and auctioneers and customers in attendance.  

We spent as long as our noses would allow. Afterward, we gulped fresh air, put in some afternoon beach time, watched the sunset circus act, and finally ventured down to the town square, where each night local chefs cook up some of the tastiest seafood around.. 

Next stop, the meat market just around the corner.

The daily auction can last for hours as fishermen constantly deliver their catch.

Liz learns some bargaining tips from a fish delivery guy. Men pedal bikes with baskets full of massive tuna, sword fish, and even sharks. 

Chef Kip

Hungry Liz

IN JACQUES COUSTEAU'S PLAYGROUND

The playground is open, at least for Liz!

Sipadan is on the must see list of divers around the world. Ever since Jacques Cousteau in 1980 said, "I have seen other places like Sipadan...45 years ago, but now no more. Now we have found an untouched piece of art." 

He was right. This truly is an incredible place.

Two nudibranchs looking for lunch.

Just off the coast of Borneo, Sipidan has had its problems. Long disputed territory between Malaysia and Indonesia, this island was also the site of the Sipadan Abu Sayyaf hostage crisis, where divers and resort workers were kidnapped by a terrorist group in 2000.


Since then, all the resorts have been demolished, as ordered by the government, and the island has returned to its (almost) natural state. Only 120 people each day are allowed in the area, with divers and snorkelers required to sign in at the jetty, with a heavy armed military presence.

That may sound extreme, but it's comforting to know that the Malaysian government is serious about protecting what is one of the best dive sites in the world, surrounded by a sheer reef wall that drops down more than 2000 feet just off shore. It truly did not disappoint.


With massive schools of Jacks, Giant Trevally, Giant Barracuda, more turtles than we could count, Nudibranchs, Black and White Tip Reef Sharks, beautiful hard and soft corals, and numerous other reef fish we don't know the names of. And with dive sites such as Drop Off, Barracuda Point and Turtle Cave, we were in scuba diving heaven. 

A beautiful sea anemone. 

Sleeping shark...Liz hopes. He was.

Schools of barracuda circle Sipadan constantly.

We literally got lost swimming in the clouds of jackfish that frequent Sipadan's reef.

Heading into the jungle for a few days. Hoping to see lots of birds, monkeys, orangutans, and maybe even the endangered pygmy elephant. 


We also have a fun volunteer project lined up that we hope to write about later this week when we're back in civilization. 

HELLO, LITTLE FISHY!

A close encounter of the shark kind. He was harmless, really. Unless you have flippers and look like a fish.