Cocos Island : Dateline November 2005

I am often asked about my favorite dive destination. Without a moments hesitation I always answer Cocos Island. Of course, I am enthralled by all the other wonderful places I have the good fortune to explore and dive. For the sheer thrill and consistent large animal sightings, for the epitome of high adrenaline diving, Cocos Island is THE spot.

This 2005 trip was exceptional. The crew was supportive, the animals both topside and underwater were cooperative and the island was more beautiful than I can remember. I had held this trip as the beacon that helped me navigate through the cancer challenge I faced this year. This was a magical trip, and our passengers made it so.

Since the inception of the Imaging Foundation, I have been continuously surprised and impressed by the enthusiasm of our extraordinary volunteers. This trip set a new all time high! The brainpower was staggering, but more important the volunteers' camaraderie and excitement was inspiring. Many of us met as strangers, but by day two we were working together, teaching, learning, creating and enjoying the synergy this positive group generated!

While I thoroughly enjoy musicals, I have never taken them seriously. People do not just break into song only to be joined, moments later, by harmonizing bystanders. Well, that is what happened on our trip. Whether we were identifying slides, entering data or preparing for a dive there was always a strong chance that someone would break into song - soon everyone would join in. Usually the end would culminate in a group of us collapsing in laughter at the atrocious spectacle we had just created.

All the while, we were accomplishing the goals we had set for this expedition. We digitized, enhanced, identified, and catalogued over 12,000 slides - and that was only one of four projects! Margaret Mead said "Never doubt that a small group of committed individuals can make a difference. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." This special group of divers proved that. The daily warmth, laughter, and pride in our work was something I will never forget. The support and pride our team beamed for each others work was priceless. I do not think this will ever happen again in quite the same way

While Cocos Island will probably always be my favorite dive destination, that could change one day. What will never change, is my memory of the week I spent with the most magical group of people I have ever met.