James Liu, G9B, RDF International School

During the May Day holiday, my family and I went to the Philippines where I experienced an exciting diving adventure.

After a daytime dive, the coach informed us of a night dive to follow. As the sun set, the wind picked up, and I started to feel the chill seep in. I gazed hesitantly into the dark water, wondering if I was ready for this underwater endeavor.

But before I could think, other divers had already jumped into the water one by one. Without a second thought, I followed suit and plunged into the sea. Cold water enclosed me on all sides.

After some initial resistance and with the support of my coaches, I confidently took the plunge. Despite my earlier reservations about dangers that could arise, the evening dive was serene and tranquil, revealing the beauty of nighttime sea life.

I saw many marine organisms that only come out at night, watched colorful fish swimming around corals, and even spotted a sea turtle. I was amazed at the varying shapes and sizes of the fish.

As we swam back to the surface, I felt a sense of serenity and joy fill me. Witnessing the magnificent underwater world was truly a blessing, deepening my understanding of the need for ocean protection. We can appreciate the underwater world only when the sea is well conserved, and when marine organisms are not affected by pollution and human activities.

Protecting the ocean shouldn’t be a mere slogan but an agreement and action by all human beings. Only by protecting the ocean, which covers 71% of the earth’s surface, can we save the beauty and biodiversity of our planet.