There are so many unforgettable moments in my life: my graduation, the first time we danced in a competition, the first trip to Europe, our wedding, the birth of my children, experiencing my first snowfall. The most recent that comes to mind is the day we went to see the dolphins.
We were in Mauritius for our holiday and we saw a brochure advertising a trip to see the these marine animals. My daughter loves dolphins and we thought it would be a lovely experience to give to her. But the experience was more than a gift to her – it was one that every member in our family thoroughly enjoyed.
The trip comprised of many firsts for me. We got off the bus and we saw before us the first catamerang that I would board. White with clean lines, the mast stretched towards the sky. My family and I walked towards the vessel with excitement We were looking forward to seeing the dolphins and had not yet given thought to the boat trip.
The Catamerang. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
As we pulled out of the harbour and looked back towards the island, I realised that another bonus to the trip was experiencing a day on this boat. An experience that the wealthy take for granted. We found our spot and settled in, grabbing a drink and turning our faces towards the sun.
View from the catamerang. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
The sky overhead may have had some clouds in it, but the rain was kept at bay and the sun warmed our skin. This was a day in which we were forced to relax: there was nowhere we could go, and nothing we could do except sit, chat or close our eyes and let our minds wander.
The mast of the catamerang. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
We arrived at Tamarin Bay and were told by our guides that we had arrived at the spot where the dolphins play. The window is very short before they move into the deeper ocean.
Watching the dolphins. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
We all moved to the one side of the boat and looked out into the sea, hoping that our trip had not been in vain and that we would see the marine creatures that we had come to watch.
The dolphins. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
We were lucky and we saw a small school of dolphins. They moved so quickly and we had to watch carefully or we would have missed them. Can you see their fins in this next photo?
Can you see the dolphins? © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
Their bodies seemed to blend in with the colour of the sea that day and I was lucky to capture them on camera. Before we knew it, the dolphins were gone. And we were on our way.
A quick capture of the dolphins. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
We left Tamarin Bay and moved towards the ocean. One of our guides started making our lunch: barbecued drumsticks. He was quite comfortable cooking the meat while standing on the edge of the sea.
Cooking our lunch. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
While he was cooking, we were given the opportunity to enter the deep blue sea and have a look at the fish. Another first for me: I had never been snorkelling, not had I been in water so deep. As I floated in the salty water, I looked out at the immense blue water and had a sense of what a person stranded in the ocean would feel. Scary thought!
Snorkelling in the ocean. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
I enjoyed looking down into the water and seeing the coloured fish. The guide threw some bread into the water and that brought even more schools of fish for us to have a look at.
Our lunch. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
After our swim in the ocean we had a tasty lunch. The barbecued fish and chicken was delicious, the salads were freshly made. And the view we had while eating could not be matched:
Out in the ocean. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
On our way back to our starting point, I looked back and saw that we were missing the falling rain. The sun seemed to follow us the entire day and we stepped off the boat at the end of the trip satisfied that we had experienced something quite unforgettable.
A view of the ocean. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
We still talk about this trip and our day out on a boat. And I am sure that it is a memory that our children will not forget.
Share with us one of your unforgettable memories.
(This post was inspired by Jake’s prompt: Unforgettable).
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
M sure your kids will never forget this trip!
I do not think they will. They may forget other things but not a day on the boat and seeing these lightening fast creatures!
Wow, what an amazing day you guys had! (And your lunch made me hungry!) You’ve reminded me of days I’ve spent on various boats in various locations; Australia, Jamaica, Cuba, as well as places along the US coast. Very special times, indeed Colline.
Your photos are AMAZING!
Thank you Alex. And this is definitely an experience we want to repeat
Unforgettable scene with the Dolphins, awesome experienced Colline:)
We were so amazed by these creatures. Seeing them live is quite a different experience to seeing them on TV.
Memorable indeed! Pity they didn’t put on more of a display for you. They sometimes get playful and show off. We have been lucky a few times with our guests sitting watching as the dolphins surf in on the waves and then do spectacular aerial flips back out of them to swim out and ride the next one. On one occasion the dolphins had hardly moved on before the whales started. Of course, I took full credit – told everyone I had booked them all specially.
We wished to see more of the playful side of them. But with many of these tours, there are always latecomers and so the boat set off late
All the more reason to make another plan to see them again.
I agree Colline ,That was a wonderful experience unforgettable moments,
Thanks for sharing my friend
Glad you enjoyed the photos Jake
Wow, what an unforgettable time this was. Thanks for taking me with you on the trip
Glad you enjoyed the ride
What a wonderful trip, Colline, and I’m glad you have so many beautiful pictures to remember it.
I was very happy to get a few of the dolphins. They are so quick and blend in so well with the water
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What a lovely experience, Colline.
It certainly was. And one we had never even thought of doing before we arrived in Mauritius.
Idyllic as well as unforgettable, Colline. I’d love to go out on one of those. I was with you every step of the way. (Not too sure about the snorkelling- I’m not happy being out of my depth normally)
It was a bit scary at first, putting my face in the deep water. I am glad I went in, however, just to get the feel of being in the ocean. Wearing the life jacket did put me a little at ease
Thanks for bringing some warmth and sunshine into my day. I have Spring Fever really bad just now! Great photos.
The photos certainly help to relieve the desire for warmer days. Which is exactly why I was looking at these pics in the first place
How beautiful and such gorgeous pictures! I’m sure that you will remember this day for a long, long time…:)
We often talk about this: the sights, the warmth, the experience. It will be hard to top this one
Wonderful post and pictures! Loved them all. We spot dolphins around us on occasion . . . but never often enough or long enough.
Last week, we went to the planetarium for Think & Drink . . . for a lecture/discussion on these magnificent mammals. Such a delight!
Not only are they slick and beautiful but they really are intelligent too. I hope I get to see them again one day in their natural habitat.
THis is on my bucket list for sure now!! Thanks so much for sharing a big blessing of a day with all of us.
You will not regret taking the effort to see them. They are amazing creatures.
What a lovely day.
The memory of that day sustains us – especially now that we are in winter
Always love your photo-diaries, Colline. Thanks for taking me on your journey. What a wonderful experience!
I am glad you enjoyed the journey with us Darlene
I love watching the dolphins and the whales.
My next wish is to do some whale watching. I have heard it is quite an experience.