Tahitians love and respect their ocean. They rely on it for food, income and transportation. They've seen their ocean mellow and calm with a mirror-like reflection that duplicates the sunset at the end of the day. They've also witnessed their ocean come to life with such ferocity that it creates 60 foot waves which crash onto the coral reef and charge right to their houses. The water floods their yards and sends the chickens and ducks into a frenzy trying to find higher ground.
These are the days that the maniacal surfers head out to catch the ride of their lives. These are the days that the locals look on with concern knowing that sooner rather than later someone is going to get a newfound respect for what the ocean is capable of.
You'll learn in this post that this time, that person was me.
As you may or may not know, I was born and raised in Indiana. The place where the corn grows high and the ocean is far away. Yes I went to Lake Michigan for my swimming fix during the summer, but the waves that excited me were produced by the wake of passing boats, and the only signs of life to be found were the tiny minnows that swam in schools near the shore.
This was not my experience in Tahiti. The water is pristinely clear and always the perfect temperature. I discovered how many creatures rely on the ocean, and how life-like the ocean itself actually is. I discovered this first hand by diving around the coral reef and being almost stupefied at the huge numbers of vibrantly colored fish. I was determined to train myself to dive deeper and hold my breath longer if for nothing else than to be able to explore the reef more absolutely and to study the fish more closely. After a few weeks of practicing holding my breath and clearing my ears so the pressure didn't make my head feel like it would explode, I was beginning to feel pretty comfortable in the water. I would go for a 2 hour long swim each day, and I learned all about the current that sweeps past the shore and out to sea.
I'd met a few of the surfers who'd made their way to the island in hopes of catching a good swell. There were to two funny Aussies and an American who hailed from California. One day we all went out diving around the reef nearby and I mentioned that I noticed a spot that was just West of the famous wave and how it might be fun to dive there. They agreed to check it out the next day. So I grab my GoPro and meet them at the point. We swim about a half mile out to the spot and check out the waves. They're about 6 feet, big enough to get my adrenaline pumping. We position ourselves about 10 feet before the waves break. The big set comes in; the GoPro is turned on and we take turns getting awesome footage of each other with the waves underwater. The idea is to get as close to the point where the waves break as is possible, yet you need to avoid the foaming white water that the breaking wave creates, that's what will take you out.
I begin to get more brave and edge further to the inside, closer to where the waves are breaking, all for the sake of a badass photo. Of course much to my surprise, or horror, I see the wave of the day rolling in. It's bigger than the rest and it's already beginning to break a good 20 feet in front of me. I remember thinking to myself, "Hmm, it's already breaking, ok I might not make it under this one, well here goes nothing..." I'm in a spot that is already decently shallow, I'm able to touch the reef with my toes meaning I'm in about 6' deep water and it's getting more shallow as this behemoth is sucking the water out. I have goggles on so I can see how close I am from the reef when I dive down, I don't want to scrape my whole chest and stomach on the sharp reef and I do my best to get as far below this wave as I can. Unfortunately the white water gets me. I feel an incredibly strong force pick me up and pull me over the falls so fast that I don't have time to comprehend what's happening to me. I just feel like a rag doll, the only thoughts in my head are reminding me to "stay flat, Heidi, you need to stay flat." Thanks to the solid piece of advice from my new surfer friends I was safe from being totally scraped up head to toe on the reef. Had I tried to stand up right away or grab a hold of the reef at the speed it was dragging me I would've needed many stitches.
I'm now at the surface in a cloud of white foamy water. I felt like I'd been dreaming. It's that feeling you get when your life feels completely surreal, when you can't quite understand the circumstances you suddenly find yourself in. Then suddenly it all clicks. I realize I'm in the impact zone, I'm in very shallow water and the next wave is probably about to roll me along the jagged reef. I manage to hear my friends saying "Swim out! Swim out right now!" I notice that I've caught a lucky break and there isn't another big wave coming I've got the chance to swim back out to deeper water before getting hit by another wave. I make it out and I can't help but laugh at what just happened. I still don't know why laughter was my reaction, the other guys looked pretty concerned about what I just survived. But I was in disbelief and incredibly grateful. I actually haven't told any of the locals this story in fear of them thinking I was a complete idiot- which I wouldn't disagree with them.
Anyway, here's some of the footage we got that day
Also, this is the fun pod of young dolphins that decided to give me a great show while I was out on the SUP board a few days later.
After that eventful day I decided it would be good to lay low for a couple days. So instead of throwing myself into the waves, I decided to take the spectators position and watch some of my friends do what they do best: surf.
If you want to hear more about the fun I had in Tahiti please leave me a comment, I also plan on writing a post on how to compose a good quality blog post that I hope many will enjoy.
The steemit trip being funded by purely Steem Dollars is being planned! I'm thinking Peru :) Anyone with tips, tricks or great places to check out please please please leave a comment below!
Thank you all for your incredible support and encouragement. This whole experience has been life-changing for me. My dreams of traveling for an entire year are very realistic at this point and I'm just beside myself thinking about it. Thank you again and I'll keep pumping out the content so you all can continue to enjoy reading :)
I'm now on Twitter too! Follow me: @steemitgirl
SnapChat: heidi_travels
- Check these out for daily updates on new blog posts and where my travels are taking me!
give me money and i will :D :P
This is really awesome Heidi!!! Have you ever been on a dive like this before? I'm actually about to start my travel journey, my first stop is Hawaii this November. I'm excited and I'm already starting to share my adventures on my Steem!
Ohh November is a great time to go there! The waves should be fun ;)
I'm so excited! I need to learn how to surf ^_^ aaand get my beach bod going lol
Upvote now :)
Hi Heidi so glad the steem trip i suggested is in the planning cant wait to read :-)
You were one of the first to break out of the "steemit fan club type posts" good work and stay safe!
Heidi goes Surfbabe :-)
Next time look here how the pros do it :-)
Best regards,
Woodmikel
Look at those dolphins swimming with the sunset, how peaceful.
I couldn't believe how close they got to me. That was a special moment.
Dolphins are so cute and intelligent. =)
@heiditravels is the cutest and most intelligent dolphin on Steemit
No one can argue with that ;)
Steemit Dolphins are agree with you) arent, @nanzo-scoop ?)
@heiditravels Any good Tahitians Food? Didn't see you snap about it.. :D
I am a big foodie! as you can see from my food blog posts.
You are one brave woman:)!
Oh man that sounds like a dangerous hobby! haha!
Glad you made it out of that one okay! My cat was sitting in my lap when I was reading this and he got pretty curious when the dolphins appeared. :D Took a pic when he was still sitting still.
Stay safe! :)
He gets it! haha What's his name?
Hugo! :) the best cat ever! Do you have/used to have any cats?
Here is a better pic from earlier: https://steemit.com/cat/@acidyo/parents-on-vacation-got-our-15-year-old-cat-steeming-with-me-at-my-place-for-a-week
You make steemit exciting with these shares..
Sweet :)
Hey Heidi! I gave you a mention in my recent post, about Instagram and how you are one of the trending tags there too! https://steemit.com/steemit/@getssidetracked/the-steemit-community-on-instagram-is-growing
My favorite part of your posts is how you verbally bring the reader along with you throughout your day. AND there are awesome pictures and videos. It's like we're there experiencing it as well! Super post :)
[P.S. This is all I can think about when I think of dolphins lol]
I've got a really nice series going! Really appreciate this kind of content on Steemit.
Tahiti looks absolutely fabulous! Almost like an entirely different planet. :) Dolphins are stunningly intelligent, but can also be pretty violent. Very brave of you.
You have inspired me to travel there. I hope it happens in the next few years!
@heiditravels, I just took the time to actually read this, and it's one of the most enjoyable travel blogs I've ever seen. I was going to ask what you did before you found Steemit, but then I saw the parts about how you started working early and ended up as a "digital nomad."
I really feel sympathetic to this because I've made the same decision in my life. What I'm doing now isn't traveling, but my family thinks I'm pretty "out there" and a dreamer, and that can be stressful.
Can't wait to see where you decide to go next and your post on how to write good posts! Personally I've always wanted to go to Madagascar and see the Baobab trees, maybe because they look so alien. Have you been there?
I haven't been there...yet! ;) I've got a long list of countries I want to visit. But thanks to this platform and all of this amazing support it will be easier to accomplish :) what do you do?
I'm glad it'll be a bit easier. I have a long list too! I taught calculus for a while and now am working on teaching myself web development and programming. :)
Good stuff as always @heiditravels. Always like a good sunset. I posted one on my latest post as well that I think you would enjoy.
https://steemit.com/travel/@msutyler/my-top-15-most-besttravel-photos-to-date
Keep the posts coming!
Hey Heidi, you are such an awesome and beautiful person living such an awesome and fulfilling life. I hope you realize how blessed you are and never take it for granted. You are an amazing person and I think I've found my "not-so-secret" SteemIt crush! <3 :0) Keep doing what you're doing! You are awesome!
Thank you greenhatter :) I definitely realize how blessed I am. I thank God everyday. I don't plan on stopping any time soon, but I will be mixing things up a bit ;)
INSPIRING
Another great post Heidi I hope you are loving your experience traveling and I look forward to what you write tomorrow. Keep up the great work !
Great post and videos, as always. It is really awesome to be able to daydream and fake travel through your posts :)
Followed you on twitter as well, have a great day !
I'm intrigued
im like your blog and in follow your twitter
wowo very very cool
How amazing were those dolphins in person? The video looks so cool in itself.
a new post of @heiditravels 8]
The mere mention of dolphins or whales reminds me of Steemit these days!! LOL
Anyways, great post!! Keep 'em coming! :)
You look like you are enjoying life so much!!
The things we do for a badass photo!
Another great post @heiditravels - just added you to Snapchat as well :)
Keep the adventures coming!
what a beautiful girl ;P
When ever i tried to read post i scroll up and see ur pic again and back reading lol
@heiditravels - it is always a pleasure to read your posts but then when I look after around in the office I feel completely destroyed - lol.
As you are (what I would call) a whale - may I ask you for some feedback on the actual upcoming spam topic & editorial work from whales? I wrote an article today and need some statement from one. :-)
https://steemit.com/money/@hastla/why-whales-and-dolphins-have-to-start-work-for-steemit-or-lose-their-whole-investment
You make seeing the ocean a must for me. Though I have never seen it, played in it, or even ran my fingers through it I do understand what it is that the ocean does everyday for many people. When I was a wee little thing I have always been fond of moving to Alaska. Yes you are probably thinking how did Alaska come into this.. Well Alaskans use the ocean for many things and without it living in Alaska would be like trying to live in a volcano , nearing high impossible. I have done many many years of research on what it would take to live there and yes I do not have to choose next to the ocean but I feel there is many things in which I can learn or we all can learn from having the ocean at our finger tips. There is a survival skill that has to be learned when it comes to the ocean just as there is survival skills we must learn to live upon the land that we do and it's truly all natural. One day I will lay upon the ocean and when I do I will remember this read! Happy travels to you and I look forward to reading your new and exciting adventures!
Love the adventure in the water and was worried for a second there but glad you were safe, lol... It was pretty enjoyable reading your article, feeling like I am travelling with you!! Thanks for sharing this and I look forward to your next post!!
Incredible sunrise °..°
Awesome! I love how you add videos too. Very exciting trip, take care! :)
Those dolphins. Absolutely stunning. I wanna be there so bad :( Thanks for sharing though!
Enjoying the Snapchat updates. Keep up the great work!
There is a fine line between fearing and respecting the sea. Thanks for sharing another adventure with us!
I would recommend Nicaragua, but I don't know if Steem is accepted there...
With every post you make, I get more envious of your lifestyle. Have you ever even had a desk job?
Keep these up, they are a joy to live through vicariously.
That's a lovely first video with that rainbow. Spectacular.
nice place
Great story and great footage, looking forward to hearing more about your travels and a behind-the-scenes look at your blog composition!
Wow. So inspiring. I recently had a family member die of cancer and reading your blog has been one of the only things that has kept me going. Thank you Heidi, you really really make a big difference in peoples lives.
beautiful day with beautiful girl :)
follow me @ikamili
thank you for watching my video
Nice ) Come to my page) After a couple of weeks I will upload photos from a trip to the Crimea
Hello heidi, im trying to figure out why my post aren't getting any exposure, I really think some of them are quality, i refuse the idea of thinking that you are doing good just because you are pretty as many say... that's just plain envy, im not going to ask you to vite for my votes or anything like that but if you could check my latest and give me an opinion I would really appreciate :) just a little favour to one of your first upvoters, thanks cutie
https://steemit.com/photography/@flyover/london-rave-nightlife-partay-love-come-with-me
make sure everyone participates in the first steemit lottery
https://steemit.com/money/@nabilov/the-first-steem-lottery-hosted-by-member-nabilov#comments
Thanks Heidi, always a great inspiring post. My husband and I have been itching to post all our travel adventures like you for years now and finally got the courage to do it here on Steemit
https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@dka/from-south-africa-to-laos-introduceyourself
Glad to hear you made it out alive without needing stitches :) Lovely footage of the dolphins, cheers.
You're old news now, Heidi. Tips fedora and I'm out
Hey @squid, I think if you put some more thought into your comments you'd actually make some money.
oh amazing video theres is a rainbow in the sea ... ooooh great moment