We have moved on from our first hotel and moved across Sri Lanka to the coast to a place called Trincomalee, which is miles of glorious beaches lining the Indian Ocean.
It’s beautiful.
Whilst here, our focus is more on exploring the ocean whilst taking in some land based sights.
Today started at 5.15am.
For those reading this who have teenagers, you will instantly sympathise with me. It’s possibly easier to summon Satan than remove a 16 year old from her bed before sunrise.
But she complied as we were off to view Dolphins.
Now, we have been on a fair few Dolphin seeking boats before in the Costa Del Sol and because of this, I planned my hair and make up. Thinking of the photos that could be taken upon the small catamaran I would be ascending. With the back drop of the sunrise, the picture was going to be epic.
Turns out Dolphin boats in Spain are really quite different to those in Sri Lanka.
The boat could only be described as…
Well….
Tiny.
It was small, yellow and green in colour, and had seven yellow plastic seats. Three in the front, two behind and two more behind that. It looked to be more akin to a fisherman’s vehicle in a soft river that a means to venture into deep waters in the ocean.
We were handed life jackets, usually I expect a glass of Prosecco upon boarding.
Looking at my child, and heeding my mothers words to not come home without her grandchild; we fastened up our orange jackets and lurched into the vessel.
Our guide, Ruwan joined, which was some relief as he clearly trusted the two pre-pubescent lads who were to be our crew and drivers.
Then we set off.
With the speed of a bullet from a smoking gun, we tore across the sea as if we had a point to prove. My knuckles turned white as I gripped onto the side for dear life.
Whilst the view was stunning, I almost went man overboard taking this shot.
No Prosecco was handed to me; a paper bag was almost requested.
We paused only to see an Eagle sat upon a rock, we did drive straight at the rock for a while causing me to find religion. Then we stopped to see the bird.
I was recently left a bit heartbroken by a bird watcher, which has sullied my relationship with birds – but I was ever so grateful to see an Eagle meaning we could stop the boat for a second. Thus, I think me and birds are ok again.
The break was brief and then on we went, every sea based movie I have ever watched flashed through my mind…
The Perfect Storm, The Abyss…. Even Titanic. The image of Libby and I hunkered on a plastic seat in the ocean choosing which of us to drown will be one with me forever.
We mounted waves and crashed down with a fury.
So hard was the force of the landings, My daughter, who strongly resembles me announced at one point between fits of giggles….
“I think I just lost my virginity to the ocean.”
At this point I silently celebrated the fact she remains “pure”.
We saw Dolphins, it was wonderful, a mild respite between fearing our life end and not projectile vomiting into the sea.
We were amongst 15 other boats, all similar size. At times as we cruised the waves it was like water based Dodgems. At least twice I prayed to a God I don’t believe in.
We saw more Dolphins, it was still wonderful.
Another silver lining from the experience, I no longer need to see a chiropractor about my back, one of the thumps into the ocean cracked something that has been niggling me for a while and sorted it right out!
Alton Towers could learn a lot from our guides for their next planned terrifying ride….
Did we die – no we did not.
Did we remain virginal – yes we did (ahem…..)
Would we go again?
We are booked to cross the ocean again at 7.45am tomorrow!