On one of the first mornings at Lausanne, we ate breakfast in the hotel cafe and struck up a conversation with a chap named Andy from the U.K. He is delightful and we discussed ministry, his writing, and life. Though we ate breakfast each morning in the same cafe, we didn’t see him again until this morning, when we again shared adjoining tables.
We reviewed our experiences at the Lausanne Gathering. Then he mentioned that he’s staying three more days in the Capetown area. “Anything interesting you’re going to do?” I asked.
“Great white shark diving,” he said and explained that it’s a popular tourist activity. A boat takes you out to sea, where they chum the water, and drop you in a tank (or without a tank if the water isn’t chummed), and let you swim with great white sharks. The terrifying na-na-na-na scenes from Jaws took me years to recover from so I’m in awe people pay to do this.
Then Andy mentioned what I consider an important detail: “It’s really cheap, but I don’t know why?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Well the standard price is about $2000 to $2500, and we’re paying half of that!”
I burst out laughing. Dude, if there’s one place in life not to cheap out…it’s in swimming with great white sharks.
Are there any situations where you’d make sure you paid full fare?
*Photo courtesy of here
I’m thinking a discount skydiving package (parachute included) might be a BAD idea.
On a surprisingly similar note, anything less than the price Jesus paid for our restored relationship with God, not worth the savings.
Oh so true! I’m also thinking that breaks repairs on a car….not a great place to skimp.
Wouldn’t want to skimp on open heart surgery, wedding photography or anniversary gifts… And I am not speaking from experience, just thinking outloud.
Survived cheap skate shark diving with all limbs intact. The boat was fairly smaller than all the others, so that may have had something to do withthe bargain basement pricing! Will post you a vid shortly. Andy
Ditto on the wedding photography. I don’t even like to look at my wedding pictures. I hired a photojournalist, so the candids are great but the portraits are awful. Should have hired a separate portrait photographer…