Morning has now arrived and, hmm, passed. I am back sitting under the same tree. I’ll be sleeping with the same sand again tonight. About 10:00 this morning I had an urge – irresistible at that – to go snorkeling.
Shouldn’t I be getting bored?
The thought lasted just a couple seconds. Absolutely not!
It didn’t take long to pull the pieces needed together. Booties off the top of the car, snorkel and mask from the back, wetsuit off the line, rash guard shirt from the back of the passenger seat, pack with sunscreen from the backseat. It all accumulated on the bonnet. Strip off my clothes – the tan is getting good – stash them somewhere in the car through the nearest open door.
I was ready – almost. Put the booties on and I’m ready to stumble down the pebbly beach.
Just then a van drove in.
Familiar.
I looked again.
Why yes it was the couple I’d sat on the viewing platform at Wangi Falls 5 weeks ago with, watching the flying foxes come off roost. The couple who I stumbled over on the boardwalk because they were watching a snake explore the muck – Pat and Anne
We chatted a few minutes. Shared our favorite snorkel locations and caught up on the last few weeks.
I walked the kilometre or a little more to my favorite entry point. It was good to be back in the water. The current was almost non-existent. The visibility excellent. Today was the day to explore further out. I swam over the now familiar corals. Towards the breaking waves.
The scene changed. The coral turned into a well cut lawn. The water became much more shallow. It took constant awareness to not kick too hard or let my hands dangle. The sign at the beach was necessary.
“Only snorkel Oyster Stacks at mid-high tide.”
I was swimming at nearly high tide – one of the higher spring tides. Every once in a while I get too excited – a turtle eating, a school of fish, a shark trolling through. My hands would let go of each other dropping down and touching a coral. Fortunately never one that would sting.
Getting closer to the waves the current increased. The water being forced over the shallow reef was pushing back towards shore.
Nearly three hours later I splashed back ashore. Coming back in I found the same sleeping reef shark under the same sponge ledge and dozing turtle nose tucked into the sea grass. My mine wondered – could I study this beautiful garden? Can I stay for longer?
It was mid-afternoon when I finally dried off and warmed up a little – time for afternoon tea.
About 4:00 it was time to go see the critters along the road. I drove south.
Sandy Beach. I haven’t been there yet. I should stop. . . . the German girls said it wasn’t worth stopping.
I drove in and walked down to the beach. My thongs fell by the wayside and guarded the car’s key. The sea was calling. I walked down and visited with the gentleman fishing. Just as I arrived – he hauled in a fish – all of 10 centimetres big. “This is fun. I’ve been catching fish all day long. . . . but they’ve all been this size.
I walked back towards the car. Without warning my clothes came off. Piled themselves on the beach. I had to get in. My final swim.
After a few minutes I clambered back up the beach, gathered the mess and walked back to the car.
Time to continue up the road. The evening sun was perfect on the cliffs. One Euro in particular caught my attention. It’s eyes were glowing red – a reflection of the evening sun. I stopped and watched for a while. I slowly made my way north again. A wedge-tailed eagle was silhouetted on the ridgeline. I stopped.
I glanced off to the west. A giant orange sphere was literally melting on the horizon. I stood mesmerized by the sight.
It sank beneath the sea.
Then I saw it – the Green Flash.
A Green Flash – yes it really does happen – just for a moment or two.
Grandma was right – she’d always told me about. She had seen it a few times when living in Hawaii. Many evenings we had walked to the beach in hopes of seeing the mystical flash.
It never happened.
I rolled back into camp right at dusk.
Gwenda and Graham were just finishing tea. We again chatted awhile.
I progressed onto my evening routine. A quick shower before the water cooled too much. Download the day’s photographs. Turn all the verticals and delete the downright blurry pics. Finally pull out the day’s best.
It was only 7:30.
Graham asked, “Do you have any pictures you’d show us.” Given the choice they decided on South Africa. We worked through the best images of my trip south earlier in the year.
