Best Airport Story: From Daytrip to Departure
SOLOMON ISLANDS
What seemed like a sketch and stretch of a plan, the day trip to Nggela Sule Island was actually magical. Zip-lining off the shipwreck, snorkeling, meeting some beautiful US Marines, the neighbouring island was a must see and do (or at least, read about it) experience that rounded out my time in the Solomon Islands, an unassuming destination. Patrick, the main man behind the operation to Roderick Bay, was delivering his promise to ensure I made it on time to board my 4pm international flight.
This additional banana boat had been called in just to take me back to the mainland ahead of the rest of the day trippers. Alongside his three relatives, the trip started off as a serene Sunday boat ride with the odd sprinkle of the ocean’s spray. Soon enough, the bumps resembled rollercoaster rides designed to thrill. Seated on a wooden bench with an oversized life jacket that didn’t close, I stuck my phone between my knees and gripped the side of the boat. Nearby, an island with rain foreshadowed the changing tides.
I have no idea how he could see as he drove the boat. My sunglasses spared my vision for some time, until my left eye was closed for business, stinging with salt. Strategically I had to release my white-knuckle grip from the boat’s edge, or my other hand that was strangling the anchor rope so I could windshield wipe my face for a millisecond.
By now, my clothes were drenched, my hair was wildly plastered to my face, my phone was put in a random plastic bag (hence the limited photos!) and salt was the flavour of the day. Oddly though, in spite of the walls of water that came our way, the fishtailing moves we did to avoid head-on battles with the power of the seas, and the sound and feel of our bodies slamming into the boat, I felt completely at peace.
In real time, I felt like we were in a high-speed boat chase. Afterall, we were on a mission. The waves tossed us up in the air like pizza dough, though our landing was way chunkier and much less graceful. Suddenly, in one rapid up/down motion, we cracked the wooden bench we were sitting on. Patrick’s nephew leapt off his side, the seat now slanted downwards - it had actually splintered in half! The boatman slowed somewhat to hear the tale, but soon revved the motor again as the men barked their brainstormed suggestions for solutions, while we motored on.
I crouched off the bench, unsure of what to do or how to help. I then realized that I was the one being served and faith and acquiescence was all that was required in this moment. Like car trunks that house spare tires, this banana boat happened to have a piece of wood that fit the width in front of us, so, precariously we shifted our centres of gravity and plunked onto this newly placed plank in front of us.
I chuckled and shook my head at myself. Here I was, drenched to the bone with my luggage also getting splattered, bopping away on a banana boat, fast and furiously trying to make an international flight out of the Solomon Islands.
My eyes softened as the skies darkened, “what a live-r of life I am,” I thought as the boat slashed through the rising tide. If the curtain were to drop now-now, I have been living edge to edge (perhaps a bit too close sometimes), but, a profound sense of gratitude washed over me as I felt Life sloshing up around me. Like our livers that detox, perhaps when faced with options, we can (learn to) let go of the shoulds and sometimes pick the underdog path - a journey from normative to explorative.
I trusted Patrick and his extended family that this experience for me would be worthwhile. Yet, I had no clue that it would end up with me soaking wet, showing up at the airport like a dripping ragdoll, salty and soggy.
What are our goals and dreams - this is likely something many of us are mastercrafters for, but what about these off-roading (or rather, water way) options that life tosses our way? When and why do we politely opt out and, when we do say yes, what makes us take the leap?
While this is in itself a grand story for me to smile back on, the cherry on top was the calm check in crew. “Why are you rushing ma’am?” they asked when I arrived at the airport at 3:36 pm for my 4:05 pm international flight … it turned out that the flight was delayed by 3.5 hours!
Note to self: take the ‘interesting’ opportunity when presented with them, and, always check if your flight is running on time.
May we have the courage to explore all the real estate options Life offers us to live in,