Some people like to travel to get away from the stresses and worries of everyday life. Others like to explore different cultures and ideas. Finally, there are the risk takers who push the limits of their existence in the quest for the best thrill, or, at the very least, a posthumous Darwin award. Please note that none of these activities are endorsed by TravBuddy, and that our dear, valued readers should participate in them at their own risk.
Getting into the water with one of nature's most efficient and deadly predators hardly sounds like my idea of a good time. Tourists are taken out to sea on a boat, fish and blood are thrown into water, and then the fun begins. Accompanied by the music to the soundtrack of Jaws, divers are lowered into a steel cage from the boat to get a glimpse of the "men in grey suits."
Run for your life! Source
Shark diving is becoming increasingly popular in South Africa and Australia, places which already have a higher incidence of fatal shark attacks. Adding to the excitement is the fact that there have been stories of boats that are so dangerously overloaded with people that the risk of being crowded off while the feeding frenzy is going on below only increases.
There are arguments that shark diving and chumming the water with fish parts are causing more and more Great Whites to associate humans with food. Although there are no proven links yet, I don't think it takes a genius to figure out that it's probably true. If pigeons can figure this out when they swarm unsuspecting humans on park benches, I'm pretty sure one of the world's most efficient killing machines can draw the same conclusion. As a surfer, I tend to agree with these assessments, and would rather not aggravate Great Whites in their home turf.
Still not convinced of the danger? Then check out this video of a Great White nearly taking off a diver's head while he's inside the cage.
Fugu (the Japanese word for pufferfish), contains a poison that paralyzes the muscles while the victim remains fully conscious. Conscious until he dies of asphyxiation 4-6 hours later. Generally, however, Fugu is quite safe to eat. Chefs typically undergo years of training and need special licenses from the government. The death toll has decreased from 176 in 1958, to relatively rare incidents in modern times. Most deaths now result from unsuspecting fishermen or untrained cooks eating non-properly prepared meat.
Floating ball of poison Source
Still, you have to wonder at the logic of deriving pleasure out of eating something that could potentially cause a horrifying death. Apparently, some chefs leave enough poison on the fish so that it causes a numbing sensation of the tongue and lips. Apparently, this is also supposed to be fun and delicious. Consider this: After World War II, some homeless people were killed after scrounging around in the trash cans outside of Fugu restaurants and eating the leftover Fugu. The government had to regulate disposal of Fugu by saying that it needed to be double bagged, stored in special Fugu waste containers, and destroyed at special Fugu waste facilities. Sounds a lot like disposing of radioactive waste.
And who can forget the Simpson's episode where Homer eats a plate of deadly Fugu?
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