Let’s protect the sea while it’s still there – and we’re still here

Fish eating from a coral in the reefs outside Lipah Beach, Amed East Bali, June 2022
Fish and corals in the sea at Amed, East Bali, June 2022
Fish and corals in the sea at Amed, East Bali, June 2022

t’s a different world down there. Below the surface at The Axis of the World, as the place is sometimes called in Balinese culture. Amed, East Bali. My “Life of a Water Photographer” story as part of AquaTechs and AxisGo competition. I’ve always loved water and I’ve always tried to spend as much time as possible in the water. 

Fish swimming around the corals on The Javanese Shipwreck in Amed, East Bali June 2022
Fish swimming around the corals on The Javanese Shipwreck in Amed, East Bali June 2022

When I first saw photos of surfing taken from the water I knew I wanted to take photos like that. And I’ve done so. But when I got to places where there weren’t no surfing I began to take my camera into the sea and go snorkelling. And that’s when the magic started happening. 

Fish swimming through the corals at Lipah Beach, Amed, East Bali, June 2022
Fish swimming through the corals at Lipah Beach, Amed, East Bali, June 2022
Fish eating from a coral in the reefs outside Lipah Beach, Amed East Bali, June 2022
Fish eating from a coral in the reefs outside Lipah Beach, Amed East Bali, June 2022

Just floating along in the sea slightly above the shallow reefs and taking photos of the fish and corals. I’ve never felt so connected to the world as I felt then. And water is the source of all life on earth so let’s protect it while it’s still here. And while we’re still here. 

Fish swimming in the sea around The Javanese Shipwreck outside Amed, East Bali, June 2022
/Fish swimming in the sea around The Javanese Shipwreck outside Amed, East Bali, June 2022
Colourful fish in the coral reefs outside Amed, East Bali, June 2022
Colourful fish in the coral reefs outside Amed, East Bali, June 2022

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23 responses to “Let’s protect the sea while it’s still there – and we’re still here”

  1. News toronto

    Thank You so much for sharing us unique article i really like it.

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    Reply
    1. Helena And The Sea

      Thank you! I think it’s so important to protect the sea.

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      Reply
  2. Beach House🐋

    You took beautiful photos 😍

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    1. Helena And The Sea

      Thank you! It was so beautiful down there, just wanted to stay there forever and float around with my camera and the fishes 😉

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  3. .Killa.

    The view and the scenery that you have managed to photograph from under the water at this location, is very sensational 👌👏😆. I have never seen alot of the fish-species and the types of reefs pictured. The one that you chose for the cover was befitting and sets the tone of the topic well 🙂💙.

    Its remarkable, and the point that you made about protecting the reefs the water is a very good one too 💯👍😄😄.

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    1. Helena And The Sea

      Thank you 🙏 well, I like the photos too! And I like what’s underneath the surface. It was so obvious while swimming there with the fishes that if the corals die, there’s no food for them. I was swimming along with a fish at a place where there were almost no living corals and the fish just looked very sad. Might have projected my feelings on the fish tho, but when everything is alive down there it’s amazing!

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      1. .Killa.

        You are welcome, and very much so ❤ <3. The corals and reefs situation is an important one 🪸🦪🐚. I think one of the most basic things that anyone can do at this stage is try not to make things any worse than they already are — who knows how long this coral and reef issue in that particular area has been developing. They usually take root over decades before people actually start noticing and in some cases by the time people actually notice, the situation is severe.

        But I can definitely tell (thanks in part to your photography, both in this topic and elsewhere on your lovely blog) that when things are flourishing (so to speak) under the surface, the experience at those depths is like no other 🐠🌊🏝👌😂

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      2. Helena And The Sea

        Yes, it truly is. And I can’t wait to get back into the sea but I’m having concerns about flying … because of the environment but I don’t think that’s the main issue with damaging the environment it’s more like a structural problem, like the garment industry that releases so many toxins. It’s a BIG problem that I hope gets solved before it’s too late.

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  4. Theresa [Hey, Traveler]

    What beautiful photos!

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    1. Helena And The Sea

      Thank you! Loved being there with the corals and fish 🐠

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  5. wetanddustyroads

    You have lovely photos here! My husband is the water baby between the two of us – he loves scuba diving and I’m always surprised to see the amazing sea life when he shows me the photos. Thanks for sharing these beautiful sightings. Greetings from South Africa. Corna 🌞.

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    1. Helena And The Sea

      Oh, you’re from South Africa! Another place I’d love to visit, you’ve got surfing and an amazing wildlife!

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      1. wetanddustyroads

        So many beautiful places to see in this amazing world! We have never experienced snow – something you are probably so used to! We are going in a couple of weeks to one of the best surfing spots on the West Coast of South Africa to camp (Elands Bay) and we will be checking the surfers out!

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      2. Helena And The Sea

        Oh, seeing snow is amazing! It changes everything in the landscape. At this time of the year we only have a few, likt at the moment maybe 5 hours of daylight, but when the snow has fallen it gets so much brighter. And also, snow is fun! Oh, the west coast of South Africa, that’s the coast with no sharks right? I’ve heard that there’s one side with sharks and one without. Have to write down Elands Bay on my list. Thanks 🙏

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      3. wetanddustyroads

        I am looking forward seeing al your snowy photos! Oh, but 5 hours of daylight … I will die! We love summer (and sunshine) – oh well, just all things summery in general 🌞. Yes, you’re right about the west coast having no sharks (well, most of the time anyway), the east-, south- and southeast coast are those with the sharks.
        If you some time on hand, have a look here:

        ROAD TRIP – Sodwana Bay (9)


        Berto (my husband) dived with sharks – without a cage – last year on our road trip in Umkomaas on the south coast of South Africa. Though I loved the photos, there’s no way you will find me here!

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      4. Helena And The Sea

        Oh … 😰 diving with sharks without a cage. Sounds extremely scary! I’ve only been in the water with small reef sharks and that was enough. And thanks for the link, I’ll have a look and save it!

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  6. .Killa.

    “Yes, it truly is. And I can’t wait to get back into the sea but I’m having concerns about flying … because of the environment but I don’t think that’s the main issue with damaging the environment it’s more like a structural problem, like the garment industry that releases so many toxins. It’s a BIG problem that I hope gets solved before it’s too late.”

    Awwww, I hope you can get to enjoy the sea again too 🙌🙌🤩.

    Those are some great points that you made. It is true that factories do produce alot of smoke and chemicals; I don’t really see them going away anytime now, but just like you, I also think that it would be a great thing if there are some alternatives and solutions that will help minimize whatever negative effects they may be having environmentally and so-on ♻🚭🙂💯.

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    1. Helena And The Sea

      It’s also that regarding the garment industry the fast fashion now is really bad for the environment, clothes are made out of poor quality that don’t last long and are cheap so people wear them then throw them away, and buy new ones … in an endless circle that causes so much harm to the environment. Much more than flying. And I grew up with buying new clothes for the summer and winter, and you took care of your clothes and they lasted. I even have clothes from my mother and her sister from the 60s. So, that has to change.

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      1. .Killa.

        That is true, I didn’t think about it in that way before 🤔🤔. I know that generally, we tend to dispose of waste quite often, but I never considered this particular situation with fashion and the poor quality of garments and cloths creating a situation where people are throwing fabrics and materials away at alot higher rates now then before 💯😅😅.

        I think that many of us have noticed the issue of various types of things not being as durable now compared to how long those same kinds of things lasted in the past, but this issue is also affecting cloths and the fashion industry just as much as anything else.

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      2. Helena And The Sea

        It’s a big problem, and I’ve had clothes that are completely ruined after four washes and that’s not good for the environment in any way. Fast fashion, and the launch of new collections millions of times per year, is really a big threat towards our environment. It’s better to develop your own style and try and stick with it 😉

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      3. .Killa.

        Hahaha, spot-on 👏💙💙. Clothes being ruined after 4 washes is definitely going to raise the antenna 😅🤣. I agree that it is not good for the environment especially considering the irony that they take eons to degrade compared to how fast they get so easily ruined. I agree with your final point too 💯👍🙂.

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  7. barbaragarciacarpi

    Maravilloso reportaje! Adoro el mar, no puedo vivir lejos de él. Debemos cuidar toda la naturaleza, Muchas gracias. Un cordial saludo.

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    1. Helena And The Sea

      ¡Muchas gracias! Sí, también me encantaría vivir más cerca del agua, ya que la necesito. Y tenemos que cuidar el mar porque él nos cuida a nosotros. ¡Feliz año nuevo!

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