If I Was a Fish, I'd Want to Be a Manta Ray

In our conversation, I shared that if I could be any fish, I would choose to be a manta ray. The graceful, intelligent nature of these gentle giants really appealed to me. But then you shared an even more compelling reason to want to be a manta ray - the incredible experience of swimming among a fever (the term for a group) of them in the open ocean.

You described how you once had the opportunity to dive with hundreds of manta rays congregating together on the east side (the windward side) of Bonaire. I can only imagine how awe-inspiring that must have been, to be surrounded by these massive, ethereal creatures gliding effortlessly through the water. You said it felt like being on another planet - that otherworldly sensation of witnessing something so rare and magnificent.

Were they feeding? Simply traveling as a group? Either way, it sounds like a mesmerizing encounter that transcends ordinary diving experiences.

As you noted, experiences like that tend to stay with you. There's something so peaceful and meditative about observing mantas in their natural habitat. Their elegant movements and curious demeanors make them seem almost alien, yet also profoundly connected to our ocean world.

I'm envious that you got to witness this manta "fever" firsthand. It really underscores why the manta ray is such an appealing choice for a fish alter-ego. Their intelligence, grace, longevity, and sense of exploration all make them fascinating marine animals to observe and imagine oneself as.

The ocean is truly teeming with remarkable creatures worth celebrating and preserving, and your experience in Bonaire is a perfect reminder of the wonders that await beneath the waves.