Booked this as part of my 57th Birthday celebrations. I’m unfit, unadventurous, scared of water and totally un-sporty but thought what the heck I’ll give it a go with the family. I could always sit it out if I didn’t like the look of it when I got there.
So had a quick bit of safety training, plonked in a life jacket and before I knew it was unceremoniously sat in a kayak and launched out to sea. My husband (also not sporty) and I laughed so much as we struggled to keep the bloody kayak going in the direction of the others, it was frustrating but oh so funny that we couldn’t seem to manage what the rest of the group could. But they all encouraged us from ahead and we developed a great team spirit, even with strangers immediately.
We arrived in a cove whereby Angel (my hero) told us we were all to get out of kayaks, leave them on the beach and go snorkelling, we could swim into a very small cave and see a fresh water spring inside. We could then swim over to some rocks where there are Octopus living and if you’re really lucky you might see or even touch one.
And that was it, off they all went gleefully swimming around witnessing all the sea life that was swimming around beneath us. Oh my I needed a fag, I wasn’t exactly bothered about what was beneath us, I’ve always had this fear that if your swimming around having a good old look at nature at it’s best what would I do if Jaws suddenly appeared?
But I’d booked the trip so i took a deep breath (well lots actually) and in I went, following most members of my family who were already shouting out in amazement. So this was it I had to take a look and was immediately blown away by how much I could see, the colours of the fish, the rocks, the plantations, everything it was stunning. I couldn’t stop looking, deep breath after deep breath and it was all there, the peaceful daily life all carrying on beneath us, another world. I stopped over by the side whilst the others all swam into the cave (no way in a million years was I going in there) and coming out with shouts of how amazing it was, the colours, the spring, you can stand up at the back, how beautiful it was and had to be seen. So as my husband swam off to see I thought, oh sod it, if I don’t do it now I never will, I could just take a peek and wow in I went to this tiny cavern of beauty. The colours from the sea to the colours in the rocks, the way it had all been carved out from an eternity of water flowing was truly stunning.
The others by this time had all gone off Octopus hunting. That one was definitely not for me I was happily swimming around in search of Nemo.
All the group came back together, they didn’t find the Octopus but had great fun trying. Angel (my hero) then informed us that we were going to over to the island and do some rock climbing and go to a beautiful cove and jump off the cliffs. That was fine, I could just sit on the beach in the sun and wait while all the others go off and do their thing.
So off we all head, my husband and I zig-zagging behind the rest of the group. But it didn’t matter, we were out at sea in a tiny little boat, paddling like mad, with amazing scenery listening to our daughters not stop singing and all of us having the time of our lives.
We arrive on the little island (my husband I having a near miss with some divers and their boat, they were not happy 😂😂) we have another little talk from Angel (my hero) and off we all set up the rocks. There was no question of staying behind Angel (my hero) said he would help. Now navigating jaggedly rocks with no rope or ladder, whilst wearing thin plastic rock shoes whilst climbing up (I don’t like heights) isn’t exactly what you would call my ideal Wednesday morning. But Angel (my hero) and the rest of the group encouraged and helped me all the way and I made to the little cove and watched in amazement as most of the group launched themselves off the cliff into the crystal clear pool below. The team spirit was fantastic, we all laughed and shouted encouragement to each other.
And then it was over, back to the kayaks and the paddle back to the beginning.
And as we arrived back and climbed out of the kayaks for the last time, I had a tinge of sadness that it was over but oh my God, how exhilarated was I that I had overcome so many fears, one of my daughters, like me, had totally stepped out of her comfort zone and done it too.
So what I want to say to anyone reading this, do it, these guys are amazing, the excursion is amazing and yes, once it is over you too will feel amazing.
Thank you, so very much to Angel (my hero) Henrik and Tomas for everything.
