Maldives (Day 5)

When they offered us to go on a 3 day/2 night trip on a wooden yacht, we jumped at the chance, since it’s something we’ve never really experienced before. Of course that meant 3 days/2 nights away from the island that we’ve grown to love as our own. The moment we signed on, we find out from our weather app that it’ll be fair weather the entire 11 days that we’re here, EXCEPT for three days – yes, the three days that we’re supposed to be out in the open ocean on a wooden boat. There was supposed to be thunderstorms, which seems like an exciting prospect, if I weren’t reading Life of Pi, which basically is about a kid whose ship sunk during a storm. Life imitating art? Please, bitch. So despite the warning, we still went ahead, the promise of adventure pulsing through our veins. After lunch, we finally boarded the yacht, and from the get go, I think it would be accurate to say that it was a string of indelible moments, that I think, save for bouts of dementia, will forever be etched in my memory. The moment we got on board, I was already enthralled by how the whole boat looked. Every nook was something new to explore and enjoy. Except maybe the toilet, where you had to pump after you use, pump down to get water in, and pump up to flush water out. The idea of using it, was not anticipated. Our favorite spot on the boat was at the bow, with our feet hanging from the ledge. I could sit there for hours doing nothing, and I’d say I was having the BEST time of my life. The salty brine lapping at my feet, the cold sea breeze caressing my face, just sky and surf crashing blues into each other for as far as my eyes could see…perfect couldn’t even fit into what I felt. We were with two other couples, four Brits, although Brona was quick to qualify that she was Irish, not British, thank you very much. We six jumped from one snorkel site to another, and we saw eagle rays, and one big shark (some say a black tip, I say it was a gray reef), that swam so close to us, that it looked huge. Thrilling, pee-in-your-shorts moment. After each dive, the staff would serve your choice of cold drinks, and right before dinner, afternoon tea was served (I felt British already!) And having barely digested the goodies, we were soon served dinner as well. The food was ridiculous, in amount, and in deliciousnessicity. Our chef, we would soon discover, was aiming to outdo himself with each meal. Every batch could feed twenty people! It was nice getting to know the british folks, even the Maldivian boat crew, the exchange of culture very refreshing, and before long, we were one big happy family. And by bedtime, the boat crew had prepared our beds on deck, basically mattresses laid out on the deck, as we were to sleep under the stars, during a full moon. I was nearly brought to tears. It couldn’t have been more perfect.