The log of our final dive has recorded in it Holy Crap! WHAT A DIVE! We had stationed ourselves behind the cleaning stations and wave after wave of Mantas majestically soared by. Once the action had slowed and the mantas seemingly retired from our view I noticed that the nitrogen bars were fully across my computer. Gordon got our attention and circled his hands over his computer indicating the dive was ending, time to go up. Just as we were doing our safety stop the Mantas came back but this time they were heading directly toward us.
Mary and I looked at each other. Do we ascend safely and miss this opportunity or go back down and risk personal injury. The decision was easy. We quickly descended as the great mantas slowly glided only inches from our heads. Several stopped just short of us to peer at us with their inquisitive eyes. Turning slowly several came back and forth gliding within touching distance. It took all the restraint we had not to touch them, fearing it would break some magical bond of trust.
Seeing we were in decompression status, after 78 minutes, we reluctantly ascended for a twenty minute safety stop. Once we were on the boat a diver who had run out of air and ascended early asked us why we took so long to come up. Mary and I looked knowingly at one another and said oh, we got in deco status and had to do a long deco stop.
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