Having done our sums and kept a deathlike grip on the budget, Bonface and I reckoned we could afford a boat trip for staff, around the bay and as far as the coral reefs. The news was greeted by huge excitement and some nervousness. Wasike and Edgah volunteered to watch the bags (although there was no need) but I knew by now to leave such decisions alone. There were so many superstitious beliefs relating to the sea and I hadn’t scratched the surface. I had to respect people’s views.
Our boat had a glass bottom which made the trip even more interesting. The boys had to drag if from the shallows, with us on board, in order to start the engine. Most people began to relax as we gently headed out from the shore and enjoyed the views around us. All except Noisim. At first, I couldn’t see her. Then I noticed she had crawled into a tiny space underneath the stern of the boat. She assured me she would be fine so long as she didn’t see the water. Hmmmm – that’s a tricky one on a boat trip! She remained there, eyes mostly shut, clinging to the side, for the entire cruise.
At the coral reef, our guide dived down and brought a starfish and a sea urchin on to the boat. Apparently, they can both survive for 1-2 hours out of water. Everyone had an opportunity to handle them (though I wasn’t entirely sure how environmentally friendly this was – I kept my mouth firmly shut.) Norah was particularly delighted: she had heard of starfish but she had never seen one, or touched one and now she had a photo to prove it. Her sister would be so jealous!
After an hour and a half, we returned to shore. Noisim came out from her hidey hole. She posed for a photograph. “That was amazing!” she exclaimed. “I can’t wait to tell my husband that I’ve been out on a boat!” It’s the way you tell them!
Back at our spot on the beach, we discovered Wasike rolling in the sand, trying to dry himself off before our return. He hadn’t guarded the bags at all. His absence from the boat had not been about superstition. He just couldn’t waste a single moment of swimming in the ocean!
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