Today I felt as though my mere matter had no business being between the sun's penetrating rays and the ground. The thermometer is telling me that it is only 32 degrees, however, a few seconds of out right exposure was all my skin could manage before feeling as though my body had been put under the broiler in an oven. I marvel at those frolicking here and there without appearing at all concerned about internally combusting. Seems I am a wee bit sensitive to heat.

The white sand beach is beyond inviting. Soft sand squeezing between my toes has me wanting everyone to take turns molding the sand around their feet. Looking up from the sifting sand my eyes are treated to the shades of blue that only the ocean can conjure up.

I place my snorkeling equipment on the lounger while I put on a t-shirt. Visions of a thoroughly cooked snorkeler's back are erased with the donning of the protective layer. Snorkeling equipment in hand, I head to the warm calm water of the Atlantic Ocean. Janet, Sasha and Jaime are of the adventurous sort as well.

Our destination....the reef drop off. Turks and Caicos is home to the third largest reef system in the world. Most impressive is the 7000 shear cliff drop to the depths of the ocean. Trying not to exaggerate, I would say we were required to swim a kilometre out from shore to reach the miraculous drop. The darkest of blue coloured water delineated the reef drop off point.

With only the sounds of my breathing and the odd heave hoe blow on my snorkel keeping me company I take in the sights of the ocean floor. Desert like in its colouring and terrain, it is not intimidating in the least. Depths of five to thirty feet allow me to clearly see my surroundings. I am enjoying the comfortable solitude.

Raising my head I see we still have a fair distance to cover before reaching our detination. Placing my face back in the snorkeler's position I begin to wonder how a 7000 foot drop effects the ocean. Will a powerful current assume the driver's seat of our destiniy? Will the temperature of the water plummet? Not deterred we continue on our quest.

With a few meters to go I can see the edge of the reef. My heart rate accelerates even as I type this. Like taking a leap off a cliff we swim out over the edge. Our bodies now suspended over nothingness, the seemingly supportive shallow waters no longer beneath us. The breathtaking mystery of the abyss is complicated in that it is both frightening and exhilarating. Outer space is a thought that comes to mind. Floating weightless with endless darkness as the foreground and background.

I am captivated.