[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]More people have been to the moon than to the bottom of the ocean. Though the moon is about 235,000 miles away and the deepest point in the ocean is only seven miles down, 12 men have journeyed to the moon while only two have ever ventured to the depths of the sea — and lived to speak about it. Each adventure would undoubtedly have a unique set of attractions and drawbacks, and I’m sure either one would suffice to completely blow my mind. But after some careful deliberation, I’ve decided that I would rather go to the bottom of the ocean than to the moon.

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First, there’s the exclusivity factor of the deep ocean. Only two people in all of human history have ever seen it, and only briefly — they ascended after about 20 minutes. Moon men have stayed on Earth’s stellar satellite for upwards of three days. That leads me to the next and perhaps greatest allure of the blue abyss: mystery.

Aside from a couple of deep, eternally shaded craters at the poles — which are suspected to contain ice reservoirs — the entire moon has been photographed and mapped. There are ancient, fossilized lava flows, craters caused by celestial collisions, lunar mountain ranges and even retired volcanoes. There’s no doubt that the extraterrestrial scenery would take one’s breath away, but after meandering around for a while I imagine that it would all start to look pretty much the same. Fine, powdery rocks with a silver shine, interspersed with dark, petrified pyroclastic flows and the occasional window into the moon’s shadowy subsurface. Maybe some ice, but no life.

As for the ocean — the original, evolutionary petri dish from which life first emerged — only five percent has been explored. Imagine the wonders, living and non, that dwell in the briny deep. Thousands of new marine species are discovered every year. One of the most interesting creatures uncovered in recent years is the Yeti Crab. The Yeti Crab was found living in super hot hydrothermal vents south of Easter Island. The crab gets its name from the long, yellow hairs on its legs and its whitish body, which give it the appearance of the fabled abominable snowman. The Yeti Crab isn’t the only fantastic species cruising around the aqueous expanse. It shares the sea with Vampire Squids, Ghost Sharks, Goblin Sharks and Dragonfish. Sea beasts can be both tremendously terrifying and awe-inspiringly beautiful. At the enduring midnight depths, where the sun never shines, colonies of bioluminescent creatures drift about like gigantic, glowing dandelions blowing in the wind. Imagine floating through a field of magnificently radiating sea rascals, as prodigious, ever-present ancient predators hover unseen on the inky fringes. The experience would be a heart-stopping blend of disbelief, childlike awe, primal fear and giddy excitement. It is not unlikely that a deep sea surveyor might encounter a completely unknown species or perhaps confirm the existence of a mythical marine marauder. You might behold a mermaid or a dinosauric, Loch Ness-esque beast. Either way, the discovery of a new species would enable you to name the creature after yourself, forever cementing your legacy in history.

Not only are the oceanic depths ripe with unbelievable and unidentified organisms, they also harbor historic, non-living treasures. In my extravagant envisionment, the ocean floor is littered with the rich remains of shipwrecks and ancient civilizations. It could be carpeted in gold coins, dazzling gems, skeletal pirate spectres and Atlantean architecture. No chance of finding that on the moon!

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