Last Christmas the closest most 10-year-olds got to exploring the depths of the Pacific was a trip to Ocean Park or another viewing of their Finding Nemo DVD.
But for young diver Evan Lee Yin-wang the holiday brought a visit with his family and friends to Palau, and a chance to see the ocean's technicolour marine life in all its natural glory.
'There was no land, no island, just the sea and coral reefs below,' he said.
Evan is still amazed by what he saw when he donned his air tank and diving mask and plunged into the water, such as a lettuce coral the size of a basketball court, with shy fish hiding among its 'leaves'. And he did get to see Nemo - aka, the clown fish - in the wild.
Even though scuba diving may seem like the sort of sport that's only suitable for adults, Evan got his scuba diving licence last year. And two of his friends - Kelvin Chan Cheuk-hang and Jeremy Yu Cho-ming, both also 10 - are training in the hope of getting their licence this summer.
Kelvin and Jeremy have already practised with Evan and their families, at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park and overseas.
