Swimming with Whale Sharks

While in Atlanta another thing I wanted to do was see the Whale Sharks.  While researching the aquarium before our trip I found you could swim with the whale sharks!  Not sure that I would visit Atlanta more than once, I booked the tickets.  We arrived at the aquarium early to check out the other tanks and displays before our 4pm report time. There could be up to 8 people per dive, only 6 of us showed.  As we walked to the top of the tank I started to get nervous and wondered why I had signed us up for this.  A briefing by the dive instructor went over the rules of being in the tank, how we would get into our gear, and what to do if we needed help. I went to change and as I started putting on the wetsuit, I really started to have second thoughts.  Even though I own my own wetsuit for open water swims with my tri group I still do not like the feeling of wearing one.  I started to think I would be the panicky needy one of the group, but that quickly went out the window as there were two others in our group that had already taken that role.  I sucked it up and walked to the end of the dock and started getting ready to enter the water.  Mask and snorkel on, I waited for my turn to get in.  Once I entered the water we needed to hold on to the dock and get used to having our face in the water to make sure everything fit properly, while we were doing this the whale shark swam under us, I was mesmerized.  I forgot all about being uncomfortable in the wetsuit and was in awe of this wonderful creature.  We swam in a figure 8 around the tank. The dive instructor told us “we were not allowed to touch the fish, but they have learned people are good to scratch themselves on, and may touch us!”  In addition to the 2 whale sharks there were 3 manta rays and an assortment of other fish and sharks in the tank.  The whale sharks made many passes under us as we swam and finally one touched my foot!  The mantas swam near us but did not try to touch us.  Thirty minutes flew by and before you knew it we were back at the dock.  I did not want to leave.  This was such a wonderful experience I will never forget. While I try to be a good steward of this Earth, meeting these creatures reaffirms why it is so important to care for our Earth.  What awe inspiring creature have you met?  I would love to hear about it in the comments.