In 1979, oceanographer Sylvia Earle descended to a depth of 381 meters in the Pacific Ocean wearing a JIM suit, setting the record for the deepest walk on the ocean floor without a tether.

Today, standing next to an identical copy of that famous suit at the new National Geographic 'Exploration Museum,' she recalls what she experienced during that historic dive and explains why the sea continues to inspire and amaze her nearly five decades later, as part of the Rolex 'Perpetual Planet' initiative.

Earle said she was not the right height for the suit, so part of each leg had to be removed so her feet could reach the boots. She added that the submersible 'Star 2' was her means of transport to reach the ocean floor. After that, she had to move away and walk alone, but she asked for the submersible's lights to be turned on so she could see what was actually in that deep twilight.

For the oceanographer, one of the strangest things she saw was the glowing bamboo coral, which she likened to a 'giant bed spring.' She explained: 'I was able to extend my arm and touch it with the suit's claw. The coral responded with rings that looked like blue fire pulsing along its length.'