Colorful Life of Hindustan..How About Us ???

About Manta Ray...

Here are some facts about Manta Ray, that you may interested to know, as I do :)

As one of fascinating creatures that live in the water, Manta Ray seems to be such a mystery to most people [and divers as well !]. Exploring the facts about them may help us to see them for what they really are.

Manta's size can be up 25 feet in length and weight as much as 5,000 pounds. Their average rate of life span are over 20 years. They can lose their protective mucus membrane if they are touched by humans.

Manta has the largest brain to body ratio of all sharks and rays on earth. They are very close relatives of the shark. Ironically, sharks as well as whales are their main predators. They are also closely related to the stingray, but they don’t have a stinger.

They are amazing when it comes to the acrobatics that they display.

The Manta Ray is classified as a fish. It is one of the largest and it continues to be one that we know the least about. Whoaaa !!!

They don’t have a skeleton that is made from bone.

The smallest species of Manta Ray is the Mobula Diabolis. It is only about 2 feet in length.

There are myths that the Manta Ray will consume people but they are false. These are very gentle creatures that are able to get close to humans without harming them [believe me, I have proved it though, ehm...]

The Manta Ray is only surpassed in size in the marine world by sharks and whales.

One of the reasons why people used to think that the Manta Ray was dangerous is because the body appears to be like a huge bat.

The open fins of a Manta Ray can be more than 20 feet in length.

While the Manta Ray has many rows of sharp teeth, they aren’t used for eating. Instead they have a filtering system.

The Manta Ray doesn’t have a nose.

The name Manta means blanket, and the fact that this creature looks like a blanket as it moves in the water is part of the namesake.

The mouth of the Manta Ray is located on the top of the head instead of on the bottom.

They are the only jawed vertebrates that also have limbs.

Many people view the Manta Ray as a shark that has been flattened out due to the overall anatomy that it features.

The movement of the fins through the water is very similar to that of a bird flapping its wings.

Many people assume that the Manta Ray is dangerous due to the fact that the Sting Ray is. However, they don’t have a stinger at all.

Many Manta Rays blend in well at the shoreline. They tend to get stepped on by people that don’t have a clue what is below their feet.

They are extremely fast swimmers, and also considered to be one of the most graceful as they move around. If you don’t look quickly though one can be gone before you realize it was there.

Wanne meet them in person ??? Come, and let's dive with me ! :)

[The above info was taken from various sources]

Playin' Time with Mantas

Here are some of my underwater photos during my last Bali Year-End Trip, from Dec 25, 2009 to January 5th, 2010.

It was really amazing moments ! I finally have a chance to visit Manta Point, at west Nusa Penida Islands. Together with my dive buddy, we've tried several times to visit this famous site. Unfortunately as the site is very open to the elements, many times heavy winds and strong currents make it impossible for us to visit this dive site. But during this year-end holiday, it's kinda a new year gift for me, the whether was so good, the water was so calm and warm, and lots of mantas around, even the black manta, king of mantas !

So enjoy these photos ! And I am hoping to upload my underwater video dancing with Manta real... soon ! Just wait, okay ??? :)

Another thanks and appreciation to Nicky Wirawan from Bali Marine Sports, for his willingness to be my underwater model, and of course, for being my underwater guardian....you are the best, coach !!! :)

I Wonderfully Made by You, God....

Sebab Engkaulah yang membentuk buah pinggangku, menenun aku dalam kandungan ibuku. Aku bersyukur kepada-MU oleh karena kejadianku dahsyat dan ajaib. Ajaib apa yang Kau buat, dan jiwaku benar-benar menyadarinya. [Psalm 139: 13-14]

I thank and praise you, my loving JESUS, for another year older in my life and my marriage life. For giving me such of wonderful people arounds me: great loved parents, siblings, spouse, best friends, and beautiful environment and moments in these wonderful years of my life.

I thank You, my God, for I wonderfully made by You.