As per schedule, we boarded one of the speed boat anchored at the jetty and departed for Praslin, to end our exciting day but was it so easy……!!!!
No, something was waiting for us on the way back to Praslin.
While we were waiting at the Jetty for our boat, weather was cloudy and the sun was completely hidden. Few hours back, the sun was sucking water from our body and now the clouds were ready to recoup it. But weather was calm, so we were expecting safe return to our hotel at Praslin, however wind was blowing at mild pace, so our ride was expected to be bumpy. The clouds were getting denser as the time was passing.
We boarded the speed boat along with a family with 3 kids and another couple, so in total we were eight passengers on-board. The ride started at a steady pace and when we were at some distance from the jetty, we could see the dark clouds approaching us, which were earlier not visible from the Jetty. We were not worried at that point of time and the thrill and speed of speed boat was much more worth to enjoy, than to think of the dark clouds.
We were heading towards Praslin at the normal pace of the speed boat and the clouds were after us, which was the matter of least concern, since our expected ride time was less and it was expected to complete in only 30 minutes.
We continued our joy of bumpy ride of speed boat, which on few occasions took a good jump on the sea waves and all passengers on-board along with the pilot were busy enjoying the ride, without noticing our follower. The speed of our follower turned out to be faster as against our expectation and when we were half way to Praslin, we realized that the clouds had started pouring rains nearby and our boat was not very far and the speed of the clouds started increasing and it was turning to be a storm.
Since, all the passengers on speed boat were watching the approaching clouds, our captain realized the intensity of the situation and he turned back. He saw clouds approaching at the faster pace than expectation and asked us to hold the bars of the speed boat firmly, since he was about to escalate the speed of the boat.
As soon as he cautioned us, all of us held the bars firmly with one hand and our belongings with another hand, the captain escalated speed of the boat. The escalation of speed was similar to the experience in the aircraft at the time of take-off and I am sure that it was the fastest ride of my life-time on the speed boat.
The boat was now cruising at the maximum speed but the clouds were chasing at an unknown speed but for sure they proved faster from us. The chase from clouds were similar to the chase as shown in movies like “the perfect storm” “2012” and many such other movies and we were now experiencing it “LIVE”.
Soon, rain lashed at our face with great force and for once, color of faces of all the passengers changed, but the pilot asked us to keep calm and not to worry. Our pilot was using all his experience and it seemed that whatever was happening was a normal thing for him, he was driving quietly and trying his best to avoid the rising sea waves but could succeed in avoiding few of them only and we got the flavors of sea water in the form of splash, “Water from all the corners….”. The showers from sky and splash from sea made a mixture of fresh and salt water on our body and we could feel this difference through our face, we experienced both waters at the same time.
Our pilot took out the boat from the clutches of the clouds in few minutes or the clouds may had shown some mercy on us. But, till the time we reach the shore, we had to be cautious and major distance was now covered because the shore was visible clearly.
We took our chance, I took out my mobile phone, handed to the fellow passenger and swiftly he captured our photograph with dark clouds in the background.
Thanks to the fellow passenger, who managed to take our picture, amidst strong winds, low background light, bumpy ride and rains. It was till raining, so I had to protect my gadget first, so as soon as he clicked our photograph, I covered the mobile with the raincoat and allowed the rain water to recoup the energy, which we lost few hours back.
We reached our destination safely and without wasting more time, we de-boarded the speed boat and headed towards our hotel which was almost in front of the anchored boat. The day was not over yet, because after few minutes we experienced another colour of the nature, which cannot be explained in words but can only be seen and felt through these pictures-
I was left speechless at that moment…can anyone describe the situation….!!!!