Actress Christina Moses, 3 Days* interview
Christina Moses is a fierce actress, practicing Tibetan Buddhist and soulful adventuress with a huge heart and 3 ridiculously cute dogs. She’s home-based in Los Angeles but relocates when she’s shooting (i.e. Atlanta for CW’s Containment or Toronto for new CIA thriller, Condor).
When she’s on vacation, though, you’ll likely find her on a sunny island. We caught up with this werewolf woman to get the low down on scuba diving in the Caymans. Here’s what she had to tell us:
3 Days*: What made you pick the Caymans, and when did you go?
CM: I went to Cayman Islands this past thanksgiving with my boyfriend, Jake. A new hotel opened up, The Seafire Resort and Spa, and we were offered a great opening deal so we jumped at the opportunity. It was a little cloudy and windy when we arrived. Chilly, actually, and I was horrified as I was living in Atlanta for work at the time and needed a break from the growing chill.
But along the highway to our hotel there were iguanas lazily sauntering in the dirt stretches and then disappearing into lush tropical green. And once we arrived I was seduced by the turquoise waters and white sand beaches. If I had to do deal with some gray skies, I’d live. ;)
Cayman Islands, Christina Moses, 3 Days* interview
3 Days*: How was the hotel?
CM: The hotel was beautiful and modern with some rustic touches. The food was delicious and fresh. On the beach they served a creative Mexican fusion cuisine. In town we experienced more of the local flavor that was a mix of various island cuisines influences. Though we managed to find a traditional thanksgiving dinner in town and that was great as well.
3 Days*: How was scuba diving in the Caymans different from other places?
CM: I decided to get my scuba certification while I was there. I had gone diving once before in a cenote in Tulum but only learned enough to go with an instructor 30 feet deep. This time I had to learn to dive on my own down to 60ft.
It's absolutely terrifying and each time I’d ask myself why I wanted to make my body do something it’s not designed to do, breathe underwater! But every time I suited up, put the heavy equipment on, submerged weightless and awkwardly under water and finally got my breath and heart to settle, all my fears and doubts were quieted by the serenity of the vast wild other universe that is the ocean.
Christina Moses, diving gear, 3 Days* interview
3 Days*: That sounds beautiful, and as though your mediation practice was a good tool for coping with the inevitable anxiety?
CM: Yes… Once getting through the tests required to give me the confidence to handle life threatening emergencies I could swim in total and utter peace. The clutter and constant rambling of my mind simmered down some and I could just be and feel and explore. It's very liberating.
The tropical ocean feels like swimming in a Dr. Suess dream land. The colors of the fish and sea vegetation, their shapes and sizes, are like creatures from outer space. Some of the creatures and fish are curious and will come check you out, but mostly are just not that interested. Especially when they sense that you mean them no harm.
I saw a barracuda! I had no idea that's what it was until we were on the boat drying off. My boyfriend said, "How about that barracuda!" and I was like, "Um...what?!”
We passed through reefs and caves where I saw eels in the nooks of the rock. The deeper we dove the darker, colder and quieter the ocean became and, in some areas, less sea life was visible. Sometimes I would lay back and look up at the slight glimmer of the sun on the surface 40 or 50 feet above. You become a part of their world. It's humbling.
3 Days*: How did your Zen scuba experience change the way you relate to the ocean, or the planet?
The Cayman Islands, Christina moses with scuba instructor, 3 Days*
CM: I became so insignificant in the best and most truthful way. I'm just a small addition to the world yet a necessary and simple aspect of our eco system, the order of things. It has deeply inspired me to take better care of the ocean. To learn more on how I can protect marine life, the planet as a whole and more specifically the corners of the world where I live, travel and work. I'm getting more scuba certification and knowledge so that I can join expeditions to clean up the ocean floor.
3 Days*: Now that you discovered diving for yourself, do you plan on going on another dive vacation? If so, where would you love to go and why?
Sunset in the Cayman Islands, Christina Moses, 3 Days*
CM: Yes! I plan to go on as many dives as I can, for as long as it is a safe activity for the ocean and her creatures.
I'm thinking of Bonaire next. It’s a Caribbean island in the Antilles near the western boarder of Venezuela. They have some of the best diving sites in the Caribbean (right now I am partial to the warmer waters of the islands).
Bonaire has around 86 diving sites with well over 300 species of fish and marine life. All the photos I've seen look absolutely breathtaking. I have to see for myself!
I also appreciate that eco-friendly tourism, marine conservation and preservation have always been a big priority for their government.
3 Days*: Can you recommend an organization that supports ocean protection?
CM: Sea Shepherd is badass! They are out there taking direct action to stop illegal activities that effect marine ecology and animal life. I find they are one of the only ones putting their money where their mouth is, so to speak.
Actress Christina Moses prepping for a dive in the Cayman Islands, 3 Days*