Alone with the turtles
By no means do I consider myself to be an animal fanatic. I like animals but am not crazy about them and cockroaches are something I am terrified of. However, I don't dislike them either. I am fascinated by wild animals such as tigers and big mammals such as whales. I certainly admire them. I have become bolder over the years. Traveling and doing some adventure sports has certainly helped overcome certain fears. This morning, I came about to swim in a lagoon where there was nobody but me and the turtles and fish in the water at the time. On a high from that, I was inspired to write about it.
Right now, I am holidaying on the Big Island in Hawaii where I discovered that there is this new sport called paddle boarding. This resort also has it's own private beach with a small lagoon. The lagoon is home to several fish and sea turtles. I have seen them resting against the rocks each night. Not a very confident swimmer myself, I haven't had the guts to don some scuba gear and check out the sea life. I am happy to see the ones as visible through the water, which in this case are several, with the water being so clear (it was an even more abundant riot of color in the lagoon at the resort in Jamaica last year).
Sitting at the beach for two days and watching people struggle to balance while paddle boarding, I thought to myself, I could never do this. On the second day, I got talking with this one woman who was off and about and to me she seemed to be good at the sport. She claimed she wasn't that good but thanked me all the same. The next day she saw me sitting by the water and asked if I was going to try it out. I said before I leave. In the meantime, she had given me a few tips on getting started.
Unbeknownst to me, my 13 year old son and husband, at the same time of my conversation with the woman, had gone looking for a kayak to rent. Turned out, the day was too windy, and the kayaks were unavailable, so they came back with a paddle board. Both tried their hand at it and had fun, while not quite getting the hang of it, being the non listeners, especially if I was the one giving the directions. Hubby did do alright the second time he tried it. Of course, they had to give me a turn and I tried it sooner rather than later. I was so thrilled with my success with the activity (sitting back and observing helped, as well as following the tips the woman had given me). Granted, I was still on my knees, and hadn't had the courage to stand while paddling, but it was a big step for me, one whose children are constantly making fun of my style with the one and only swim stroke I know. Delighted at my success, I couldn't wait to go try it again.
Turns out, our plan was to drive to the Volcanic National park this morning (the next morning). It meant that I had to pack in a run, a swim and try to paddle board before leaving. Getting the run in was a no brainer. I had been waking up early enough and getting a good 5 mile loop in that traversed some beautiful views. This plan of mine meant I couldn't have a leisurely breakfast but that isn't something I would be saddened by!
Upon returning from my run and changing to swimwear, I went to the beach house to pick the paddle board. The two workers were polite but said they opened only at 8. I responded rather disappointedly, "We are going out for the day and I was hoping to try some paddle boarding before leaving". One of them immediately asked me where I was going to and retrieved a paddle board. He told me he wasn't supposed to but was making this an exception. I was extremely grateful and happily walked to the water with the board. A Yoga instructor saw me struggle with placing the board on the water and gave me a few tips on what to do. She called me a couple of minutes later and gave me a few more tips.
With all the advice I got, I was able to have a really peaceful ride, along which I saw turtles swimming in the water. It was just me and the sea turtles in the lagoon at the time. I then saw one swimming in the middle of the lagoon, it's head bobbing up and down, which inspired me to paddle board a little more. After what I thought would be just the right amount of time without making my arms really sore, I returned the paddle board and jumped in to swim in the lagoon, again, knowing that it was just the turtles, the fish and me. After my run as well as the paddle boarding, The cool, salty waters made for a refreshing treat! Rejuvenated and ready for another beautiful day in this beautiful place on earth!
By no means do I consider myself to be an animal fanatic. I like animals but am not crazy about them and cockroaches are something I am terrified of. However, I don't dislike them either. I am fascinated by wild animals such as tigers and big mammals such as whales. I certainly admire them. I have become bolder over the years. Traveling and doing some adventure sports has certainly helped overcome certain fears. This morning, I came about to swim in a lagoon where there was nobody but me and the turtles and fish in the water at the time. On a high from that, I was inspired to write about it.
Right now, I am holidaying on the Big Island in Hawaii where I discovered that there is this new sport called paddle boarding. This resort also has it's own private beach with a small lagoon. The lagoon is home to several fish and sea turtles. I have seen them resting against the rocks each night. Not a very confident swimmer myself, I haven't had the guts to don some scuba gear and check out the sea life. I am happy to see the ones as visible through the water, which in this case are several, with the water being so clear (it was an even more abundant riot of color in the lagoon at the resort in Jamaica last year).
Sitting at the beach for two days and watching people struggle to balance while paddle boarding, I thought to myself, I could never do this. On the second day, I got talking with this one woman who was off and about and to me she seemed to be good at the sport. She claimed she wasn't that good but thanked me all the same. The next day she saw me sitting by the water and asked if I was going to try it out. I said before I leave. In the meantime, she had given me a few tips on getting started.
Unbeknownst to me, my 13 year old son and husband, at the same time of my conversation with the woman, had gone looking for a kayak to rent. Turned out, the day was too windy, and the kayaks were unavailable, so they came back with a paddle board. Both tried their hand at it and had fun, while not quite getting the hang of it, being the non listeners, especially if I was the one giving the directions. Hubby did do alright the second time he tried it. Of course, they had to give me a turn and I tried it sooner rather than later. I was so thrilled with my success with the activity (sitting back and observing helped, as well as following the tips the woman had given me). Granted, I was still on my knees, and hadn't had the courage to stand while paddling, but it was a big step for me, one whose children are constantly making fun of my style with the one and only swim stroke I know. Delighted at my success, I couldn't wait to go try it again.
Turns out, our plan was to drive to the Volcanic National park this morning (the next morning). It meant that I had to pack in a run, a swim and try to paddle board before leaving. Getting the run in was a no brainer. I had been waking up early enough and getting a good 5 mile loop in that traversed some beautiful views. This plan of mine meant I couldn't have a leisurely breakfast but that isn't something I would be saddened by!
Upon returning from my run and changing to swimwear, I went to the beach house to pick the paddle board. The two workers were polite but said they opened only at 8. I responded rather disappointedly, "We are going out for the day and I was hoping to try some paddle boarding before leaving". One of them immediately asked me where I was going to and retrieved a paddle board. He told me he wasn't supposed to but was making this an exception. I was extremely grateful and happily walked to the water with the board. A Yoga instructor saw me struggle with placing the board on the water and gave me a few tips on what to do. She called me a couple of minutes later and gave me a few more tips.
With all the advice I got, I was able to have a really peaceful ride, along which I saw turtles swimming in the water. It was just me and the sea turtles in the lagoon at the time. I then saw one swimming in the middle of the lagoon, it's head bobbing up and down, which inspired me to paddle board a little more. After what I thought would be just the right amount of time without making my arms really sore, I returned the paddle board and jumped in to swim in the lagoon, again, knowing that it was just the turtles, the fish and me. After my run as well as the paddle boarding, The cool, salty waters made for a refreshing treat! Rejuvenated and ready for another beautiful day in this beautiful place on earth!
2 comments:
1Wow Smita, that must have been so beautifully serene!!! Loved u r blog:-)
Thanks, Mrunal Tai, for the compliment and for reading the blog!
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