Day Five: Going bananas

 

 We are amidst the sea far from our resort, speed boat is rushing past deep blue waves with full throttle, we can see the laughing faces of our kids and suddenly there sounds a ‘cluck’ and rope with which banana boat is tied, breaks! In seconds kids are left far behind that we can barely see them! The moments it take our captain to realize what has happened we are already gone miles away in deep waters!

It is another glorious, sunlit day at Kandooma Island. We have promised our little one for a morning walk. So, after Fajar, we wake her up and go outside to see the sunrise. 

Water has receded. You can see hosts of grey, brown crabs sticking to the rocks, lurking on the stones, crawling on the murky beach. Occasionally a black-eyed crab with crimson tinges brightens the scene. Water is so low that you can see the slimy pebbles. Sun rises and water rises with it, every next wave is stronger than the first. We take a stroll and come back to our rooms. It’s time to get ready and eat some breakfast before the boat ride which is scheduled at 10:30.

We are almost done with breakfast when Siddiquis arrive.

Couple of days back, on our way to Maldives, reclining in the plane I could hear a toddler keeping her dad busy the entire flight with her delectable prattle! At that time, I had no idea that this lovely child is going to be my ardent fan for the rest of our trip and I’m going to be her Sadia Khala forever! We met with Siddiquies at the airport kiosk where we were standing to get phone sims. It was a pleasant surprise to know that another Pakistani family is heading towards the same destination. 

 We're literally in the same boat but couldn’t get much chance to talk there as boat was rushing with full throttle, waves were splashing, and it was our first meet up with Maldivian waters. So, after initial salaams both families were quietly enjoying the teal waters while devouring the food got from Male airport.  

 It's been couple of days since we arrived at the island and both families have been spotting each other here and there but we couldn’t get a chance to sit together and talk. So, we decide to meet for supper today. But now is the time for banana ride. We grab our coffee cups and go towards the sports center.

Our banana boat excursion starts with exhilaration! Kids are loving the idea of being thrown away into the water.

Coach welcomes kids and explain them how they’ll be doing this activity. Purpose of activity is to sail the boat in such speed and angle that kids fall off it. He will be waiting for a thumbs up from kids if they are ready to be into the waters and thumbs down if they are not feeling up to it. 

Banana boat is a fun activity. As you can guess by the name, it’s an inflatable tube-like boat in the shape of banana. It is tied to a speed boat. You sit on it while grasping the handles on either side, the only support it offers. Strongly tied to a boat it slowly goes into the water with soft splashes, and you are enthralled with anticipation what will happen once boat will get momentum and your adrenalin is rushing as if you’re on a roller coaster. But what happens is different than your expectations and more than your anticipations. When we saw few kids enjoying the ride yesterday, it was just a part which we watched. We had the least idea how intense or exciting it might be in actual!

We are sitting in the speed boat, water is plashing, and kids are laughing, struggling to balance themselves on yellow banana boat. Rope is almost hundred meters long. We can barely see faces of our kids. The moment it reaches the deep water, captain looks towards them, and they give him a thumbs up! He gears up the boat to high speed. We are far from our island; speedboat is rushing pass the waters with full throttle. Captain steers the boat abruptly, we are trying hard to keep the balance by holding on to our seats and poles, whatever we get our hands on, my heart is palpitating. I’m already regretting the entire idea. Where does the fun lie in letting kids drown/ in deep sea? I want to call it off, it’s so noisy that we can barely listen to each other. And then splash…. Kids are in the water, we are moving forward, empty banana boat is lurking behind us, kids are near to invisible. Boat is turning back but it’s going to take time, I literally want to fly to them. It is not a pretty sight to see your kids in deep blue waters all on their own, far from you. Had I thought about it, I’d have never registered. Boat is slowly turning back, I can see the laughing faces and waving hands of my kids. I am relieved. They loved it! I feel better now.

 Once again boat picks momentum. Same process is being repeated but I am not fretting like before because I saw how kids enjoyed the first fall. Even I am enjoying seeing them ride the boat with water splashing on their faces. And then suddenly rope is broken, kids are fallen off the banana boat, captain has no idea what has happened, and within seconds we are so far from kids that we can barely see them.

 When captain finally realizes what has happened, he turns back, the other attendant examines the point where rope is broken. We are already hundreds of meters away. Boat turns and we can hear the giggles of our kids. They have no idea what just happened. To them it’s how it is supposed to be. Both attendant and captain tie broken ends of rope. Captain asks kids to get on board, but they prefer to stay on banana boat. I am not telling them about the incident, but I am appalled. We are heading towards the hotel; kids are enthralled with the ride, and we are happy for them. However, the youngest one had enough of the thrill and is no more interested in the ride. She wants to get on the boat with us, I can see that she’s scared but I don’t want this experience to get over her so Insist that she should stay with her siblings. 

Rest of the ride is calm as we are heading towards the shore away from deep waters.

Once wet, there’s no point to take shower so early on, it’s barely twelve, so kids decide to swim a bit. It’s warm and sunny so everyone is out and about. We enjoy tea while kids snorkel in the waters front of our room.

All the activity has made the kids tired and hungry, who are so much used to inactive mode they are being continuously in because of COVID. They declare their starving, so we are getting the food ready while they are taking baths.

 It’s reheated, ready to eat chicken tikka for lunch today which we’ve brought with us apprehending the limited food options we might face in Maldives. However, food is pretty good over here and so far, we are not bored of it. We are getting different options to chose from and new flavors to try. But I don’t want to take the packs of cooked food to Riyadh without even trying once. Chicken tikka is just fine on its own but freshly baked garlic naan, we ordered from the restaurants are the real deal breaker.

Some rest, another cup of tea, getting ready, praying Maghrib and we are on our way to the restaurant to have first proper meet up with the Siddiquies.

It’s a pleasant evening, food is great, and company is lively. Sitting on a table are two families belonging to Pakistan, living in Saudi Arabia, chatting and laughing amidst the waters of Maldives which even in the dark of night don’t lose the tinge of teal. That’s how paths are paved, and friends are made in unknown lands to stay for lifetime!