Meet the stunning bikini blogger who loves swimming with sharks… even though she was BITTEN by one
A FEARLESS bikini blogger has said she loved swimming with sharks in the Bahamas - despite getting BITTEN during the encounter.
Travelling social media star Mareen, who is from Cologne, Germany, also visited the infamous swimming pigs and Iguana Island while in Exuma.
But it was Mareen's encounter with the sharks in Compass Cay which sticks out in her memory.
Writing on her blog, Miss Everywhere, she said: "My highlight on that day besides the pigs was swimming with sharks in Compass Cay, which was very fun until one got a little hungry and decided to bite me.
"I cannot tell you the second of shock I felt when I saw this shark opening his mouth grabbing my hand.
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"People always tell you when a shark attacks you you should stay calm.
"Let me tell you in reality when it happens there is nothing like staying calm, you completely freak out."
Mareen said the picture of her floating with the sharks was taken "shortly before one bit my finger as he misplaced my hand with food".
She added: "My hand is ok again and has a scar now in shark teeth shape that will forever remind me of that beautiful day in the Exumas.
"It’s an amazing experience to swim with them and quite an adrenaline boost but consider, even though they are usually calm, they are still wild animals."
Mareen, who has 347,000 followers on Instagram and 106,000 likes on Facebook, was trained at one of the world's leading hotel schools - making her an expert in judging accommodation on her travels.
On her blog, she explains: "I decided to leave my job in the corporate world to travel and present unique lifestyle spots to you.
"I've always had an endless passion for travelling and a weakness for exotic beaches, exploring other cultures and stylish hideaways.
"I invite you to follow me around and hopefully I can give you some inspirations for your next trip."
Mareen is following a well trodden travelling path. Student Amelia Klonaris reckons swimming with sharks, stingrays and pigs in the Bahamas helped beat her depression.
While Sydney lass Sarah Kohan jets off to stunning beach locations when she's not studying law.
Travel bloggers like Mareen don't only get free holidays - they can also earn thousands of pounds from social media posts.
Kiwi Rosanna Arkle earns up to £1,800 per picture, allowing her to cite social media fame as her full-time job.