National Geographic... Unplugged

Last night we reviewed the final details for our project's mission which was placing our reef replicas onto actual reef on the west side of the island. Each team member was given certain tasks and out of the 14 of us Tom (a teacher from Carolina) & I were given the grandiose task of working with the project coordinator connecting reef replicas with the actual reef surface. Our site was located off shore and after a bit of time my body was sore, but on a total rush of adrenaline.
After swimming a few reef structures out two others from our group, Lexi & Kevin, had the task of placing grout into the mouth of each structure from the bow of the boat. The challenge was for Tom & I to get the structure from boat to reef & then placed underwater within a 5 minute window of time. Dodging barracudas, a handful of eels & being able to hold your breath while trying to connect our replicas with the reinforcement bar that John had drilled into the reef was an epic task. At one point another crew member tried to lend a hand, but made things a little more complicated than needed actually dropping the structure at one point that proceeded to land on my head. Awesome. Thankfully, my medulla obloganta is resilient & a mere bump was left behind. Deep breathing.
We installed a total of 12 structures and it was awesome to go along the reef and see what had been accomplished in a mere few hours. Tom, John (project director) & I rocked it out and although we were exhausted it was amazing to think in years to come that these structures will be part of the whole cycle of aquatic life here for years to come.
I have to say that the past week has been an awesome experience that has fully surpassed all expectations. I am exhausted both emotionally & physically, but I would do this project again in a heart beat. Tomorrow we head out for another round of sea mapping. Stoked.
Last night we hit the east end of the island listening to waves lapping on the shore, soaking in a near full moon & breathing in a Bahamian breeze that alleviated any and all anxiety or concerns that might be spinning in our minds. As our boat driver so aptly put it, "take a deep breathe, relax & take it all in... you're in the Bahamas Mon'."