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The Cathedral

Huge heads of limestone reach out just inches above the waters surface from their tiny island body. The waters rise and and fall and with each surge a sharp rush rips through the narrow gap like an indy car with a bad muffler.

Bobbing in front of this monstrosity I contemplate the promise of a passage eight meters below, one that supposedly leads to a fantastic cavern inside. They call it the Cathedral.

Stig and Carlos have already gone ahead and by the time they return, faces alight with the wonder of this marvel, I have made two descents into the gloom and seen nothing of an inviting entrance.

I feel comfortable, my dives were gentle and not too deep but the apprehension of not knowing where I might end up scares the poop out of me. They tell me it is easy but what does easy mean to two of the most accomlished freedivers in the world?

I promised my mom that I wouldn't dive.

Marcello returns glowing. "Follow me" he says. We breathe up and I follow Marcello down into the gloom. At eight meters we head directly towards the wall of rock and then suddenly there it is, a gaping hole leading into darkness. Closely I follow the fins ahead of me around and in and then up. A faint light becons and I look up in time to see the ceiling stretching overhead at an upward angle. Marcello is gone but I can follow the roof's contour and then the wall in front of me as it turns vertical. Looking up I see the surface mirrored but it is almost impossible to tell how far it is. Then I catch a glimpse of neon orange, the sleeve of Marcello's wetsuit and I know I am there.

It is truly an incredible sight. Pure light pierces a hole fifty feet above and reflects off the water's surface to reval a huge, damp cavern. The air is mysteriously rich and, overhead, tucked into a tiny alcove is a statue of the Virgin Mary.

A glorious moment overtakes me.

A new friend Jorge joins us and for the next several minutes all three of us simply marvel at this wonderous sanctuary.

The way out is well marked by the powerful midday sun. A short dive down and I follow Jorge towards the light. We duck into another opening on the right, and I enter a magnificent tunnel lined with puzzles of green algea and golden urchins. The tunnel asks me to dance and promises to lead. We weave and turn and then suddenly I am back outside with a smile so big and feeling so great I forget about any fears or apprehension I may have had before.

I feel delivered.

Posted by pike at October 1, 2003 01:28 PM