Tropical Travel Girl
Are you a thalassophile? (n. a lover of the sea)
From the Greek word thalassa, meaning “sea,” a thalassophile can be defined as “a lover of the sea.” It is the perfect word to describe me, someone who loves the sea or ocean. I am a thalassophile, are you?
I never tire of being able to view the sea. Its endless shades of blue transfix me. Whether I am viewing the ocean from the shore or on a boat, whether snorkeling on top of the water, bobbing like a cork as I view the fish and coral below…or submerged under the sea as a scuba diver, I love feeling that I am a part of the underwater world, even if for a short time.
The ocean intrigued me long before I spent time on or under the sea. My thalassic love affair began on Florida vacations with my family from our home in Indiana. My poetic soul was fed by just being exposed to the sand and the sea. Walking along the shore, I watched sand crabs appear from their holes and stopped to pick up small shells or bits of broken coral. I found inspiration in the colors, sounds and smells — so different from the world I lived in most of the year, near the brown water of the Ohio River.
Except for two summers spent in Florida during my college years, I’ve always lived hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean, but every time I return to the sea, I feel at home… And when I’m away from it, there is a palpable feeling of longing to be in that environment that brings me peace.
Plato said, ““The sea cures all ailments of man,” and while that may not ring true to everyone, I know that fellow thalassophiles can relate.
Fascinating Facts:
Did you know that seawater and human plasma are very similar in terms of mineral content? The watery portion of blood, the plasma, has a concentration of salt and other ions that is remarkably similar to sea water. French biologist René Quinton discovered the organic identity between seawater and human blood plasma, in 1904.
Thalassotherapy, the use of seawater as a form of therapy, can be traced back to a French doctor, Joseph de la Bonnardière, who is credited with coining the term in 1867. It is based on the systematic use of seawater, sea products, and shore climate. The properties of seawater are believed to have beneficial effects upon the pores of the skin.
I was first exposed to this term and its use in a thalassotherapy spa while staying at Hotel Bahia del Duque, located in the Costa Adeje area of the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
Guests can visit its Wellness Centre and complete a Thalassotherapy Circult, which the hotel describes this way:
“Imagine the gentle breeze and the warmth of the sun caressing your skin whilst you enjoy a serenity bath in our extraordinary outdoor Vitality pool. A two-metre waterfall invites you to enter this circuit, where you will enjoy hydromassage jets, bubble beds and the therapeutic benefits of sea water taken directly from the Atlantic Ocean.
“Have the incomparable experience of enjoying our thermal area at sunset, when its chromotherapy system is activated and immerse yourself in a world of colours that will harmonize your soul. This area is complemented by a Hammam, Saunas, Scottish Showers, a Cold Water Pool and an outdoor solarium with shaded relaxation areas. Lose yourself in a dream world with the sound of water as your only company.”
Sounds nice, huh?
There are several hundred thallaso centers throughout the world; the two largest concentrations are in France and Spain.
The only spa classified as a thalassotherapy spa center in the U.S. is Gurney’s Montauk Resort, in the Hamptons, New York.
There is an International Thalassoterapy Federation that has defined the fundamental requisites of a thalasso center, such as “seawater must be drawn from within 10 meters from the sea surface and 10 meters from the sea bottom.”
Whether I am walking the beach looking for shells, observing the sea life through my snorkeling mask, communing with the fish underwater while on SCUBA, or gazing at the gemtoned colors of the sea from a cruise ship, I am in my heaven on earth when I am near, on or under the salty waters that cover more than 70 percent of our planet.
Any other thalassophiles out there?
Photos © Debbra Dunning Brouillette
Yes, I would classify myself as a thalassophile. I absolutely love being by, in or on sea water and the tropics.
My fellow thalassophile… let’s meet up somewhere in the tropics soon!
Your photos are so inviting that I can’t imagine anyone saying, “not me.” 🙂
Thanks, Irene! Since I live far away from the ocean, I love looking at my photos of the sea, too, when I can’t actually be there!
I am a partial thalassophile. Looking at the beautiful water, its calming rhythm and majestic tranquility during a sunset mesmerize me. Viewing your pictures and reading your colorful depiction of the underwater paradise makes me want to be a full fledged thalassophile but I’m not comfortable out “at sea” I like to see land and know that if my ship capsized I could swim to shore,
Excellent writing though, Deb. 👍🏼👍🏼
Thank you, Sharon! I think being a partial thalassophile is valid, too! I do hope, however, that you may try a cruise one day, even if you’re not comfortable on smaller boats. I love them!
Count me in as a Thalassofile! I loved the Thalassotherapy pools at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita in Mexico and would be interested in exploring others.
It’s nice to learn that there is a thalassotherapy spa at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita in Mexico! I am all for experiencing the healing qualities of the sea…
Definitely a thalassophile! I spent summers as a kid in Connecticut at the beach. I learned to sail and spent most days either on the shore or on a boat, all summer long.
I’m envious of your childhood summers at the beach! Living in Indiana while growing up, we looked forward to a week or two in Florida at the most. Every day I get to spend near the sea is special. I’d love to be on a sailboat right now!
Here’s another word for you… heliophilia, n. a desire to stay in the sun; love of sunlight
Yes, indeed. Thank you for this, I’m missing the sea today.
So am I, Julia! So much! I cannot wait to see the turquoise blues of the sea again. Thanks for commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Call me lucky.. I live in Bali and surround by stunning beach and amazing ocean view.. I spend nearly 3-4 days a week at beach to collect sea shell, hearing the sound of wave, enjoy the sand tickling my feet..
I would love to visit Bali one day! Thanks for commenting!
I just learned the word thalassophile today while trying to find a way to explain to my mother just how strong my need is to be near the ocean. She doesn’t want me to move to Puerto Rico as she’s worried she’ll never see me again. I’ve always pined for the sea, but I’ve always been trapped inland, about as far as a person can get from the ocean without leaving the planet. Now that my kids are finally grown and will be moving out on their own in a couple of years, my wife and I plan to finally live where we have always wanted. I’ve always felt a powerful draw since I was 3 years old. I literally feel like I am slowly dying inside being kept away from her. Annual trips to the Keys just aren’t cutting it for me anymore.
I hope by now you have been able to get near the ocean! I can relate… If it’s been awhile since I’ve seen the blue water, I long for it! If you see my reply, let me know… As for the Keys, I love it there! Hope to make it back to “America’s Caribbean” soon!
Fellow T-head here! I live in the Bay Area, CA. I was raised near the Chesapeake and grew up water skiing and fishing. Got into surfing in lower Delaware at 10 and continued for another 30 years. Moved to Cali after college and still surfed but got into windsurfing the bay. After starting a family I got into sailing boats on the bay. 5 years ago I purchased a sexy 40′ yacht to sail to Mexico and back. 7 months on the water! Folk asked me if I saw any changes in myself and I told them I had no more tan lines! Ha! Cheers to you Debbra. Please check out my water blog: h2uho, bonehead moves on the water.
Nice to make your acquaintance here! I will check out your blog! Glad you stopped by and left a comment!