Marine

Much as I revel in outdoor activities, I must confess that I am not amphibious, and mostly stay on land.

When my friend recommended a marine science camp, I didn't hesitate. Wouldn't it be a good idea to learn something new with my daughter? The backpacks, after all, are quite the same as those for hiking; we simply needed to buy a pair of water shoes for each of us in the family.

We learned new techniques like kayak and dragon boat paddling in a basin-like inner harbour. The water was somewhat murky and didn't look exactly like a mirror. We tried snorkeling but didn't have clear view. It's hard to believe, however, that we saw much more in the same place at night. Remarkably, sea life was dazzling to see after dark - with flashlight. Shining a light through water off the pier showed us loads of aquatic animals. We didn't simply find mangrove crabs or shrimps; we learned about new species like spotted scat. That isn't an uncommon fish, but it's new to a novice like me.

To further unlock the mystery of underwater world, we were taught to scoop up a bucket of seawater and watch under magnifying glass. That's how we came to meet copepods, one of the most abundant animal plankton in the ocean. The whole experience of their apparition seemed surreal. Those tiny, shrimp-like crustaceans, with a teardrop-shaped body and large antennae, introduce us a whole new world.

I saw my daughter excited by the magical appeal of marine life and I knew she felt elated.

So did I.