Went on Sat to a place just pass Hermanus. John began feeling nauseous as early as the two-hour van ride over there. We did rush breakfast and he tends to overeat. When we got to the shore we browsed some shops as we were waiting. Stuffed penguins instead of sharks. Not that I wanted anymore stuffed animals. It just strikes me as odd that so many ppl are into penguins here. Met a couple of Belgium girls staying the weekend and one went to Simon’s Town to spot some. I digress. There were about 11 of us in the van over and 8 or so more joined us at the shore. When the boat came to shore (White Shark Diving Co) I couldn’t help but wonder, “Where’s the cage?” The other shark diving boats had theirs attached. Fortunately, once we got out to sea, we saw the free-floating cage. I enjoyed the boat ride out. The appeal of a yacht or private boat became clear. John on the other hand started turning green. Once we anchored the waves caused the boat to bob even more intensely. The rules were simple. We would get wetsuits and masks that prevented us from breathing through our nose. We would use the rails on the inside of the cage (which they pulled alongside the boat) and would float on the water’s surface. The free-floating cage was thus named b/c even if it managed to detach from the boat it wouldn’t sink. That wasn’t very reassuring b/c when we first saw it it was completely submerged save for the very top of it. If it were detached and we were left in it we would have to hold our breath for an awful long time. That’s right. No scuba gear. We float in the cage and when they manage to bait a shark, they scream “down!” and we go under for about 5 seconds to spot the shark. I was fine on the boat. The first time John threw up must have been shortly after we anchored. When I went into the cabin to use the restroom and then change, I started to understand the gravity of his nausea. I went back outside after I changed and focused on my breathing to help calm my stomach. There was a woman with some anti-nausea pills (dramamine?). They’re meant to be taken well before the boat ride though and John quickly threw those up as well. As I was waiting for boots and a hood, I managed to ease my stomach. I came this far and I was definitely going in. The first thing I noticed as I hit the water was how damn cold it was. Must have been 3℃. I just kept breathing (now threw my mouth w/ the mask on). It took a while, but my core body temp adjusted. As I acclimated my nausea dissipated. John manned up and came in behind me. I didn’t see the shark the first time I went under (didn’t help that I wasn’t wearing my glasses), but I saw it the following times. John threw up in the cage. We survived though. Their safety record is pretty good. It was another hour after we got to shore that I could feel my toes again. I should probably run more.