Yesterday we had an adventure deep sea fishing on the Indian Ocean! It was a bit more than I expected in a lot of ways (the length of our boat trip, the swells on the ocean, and the disturbing nature of fishing itself).
Lets start at the beginning. We were up early as we were leaving at 7:30. It was raining when we got up, and while we were having our early light breakfast, but it soon stopped, and it turned out to be a beautiful day on the water. The owner of the fishing charter picked us up and we drove about 1/2 hour to where the boat is docked. My iphone photos said it was Mtwapa Creek (which we used to access the Indian Ocean, because of the reef). It was really pretty and lush going down the creek to the ocean.
I think I said in yesterdays blog that being out on the boat way out in the ocean will be fun. Well, I wasnt counting on the swells. Up downupdown. I was on the top deck, which was in the sun at that point, and I soon felt quite ill. I came down to the
main deck and doggedly stared at the horizon, willing it to go away. The seasickness took some time to pass (Donna gave me a gravol ginger pill which helped a lot).
Just as I was feeling better a fish bit one of the lines, and Martin reeled in a sizeable dorado I suppose it wouldnt be so bad if the fish was dispatched quickly, but I heard it flapping around for some time as I hid in the inside cabin. I found it really disturbing, and there is no way I am eating that particular fish. I admit it is hypocritical, since I eat fish, but I found it very upsetting, and I dont think Ill be eating fish anytime soon. And Im absolutely never going fishing again, thats for sure.
However, after awhile I moved back to the top deck, which was shady then, and spent the rest of the time up there. It was breezy, and the ocean was quite calm - no more swells, so I enjoyed that part of the boat ride. No other fish were caught, which made me happy ?. Susan and I chatted with the boat captain and enjoyed the
ride. I had thought the fishing trip would be maybe 4 hours, but we ended up being out for 6 hours. I dont think any of us realized it would be that long. We arrived back at the resort about 2:30, and went straight to the snack bar for a late lunch. We were all pretty hungry by the time the food arrived (it was much slower than the previous day). I had a tasty grilled cheese and tomato sandwich, washed down with a Belozi.
After lunch we braved the onslaught of vendors on the beach to go to see the women selling beach dresses, as Susan wanted one (they are great for beach holidays). She picked one out and then we relaxed in the room before meeting the others for drinks at the lookout bar. I‘ve mostly been having beer or G&Ts here, but I tried a cocktail which was quite nice (their cocktails and mixed drinks are very strong!). We toasted our friend David who passed away on Nov. 12 - Susan had a scotch in his memory. We then went to the buffet for dinner (I had vegetarian Indian), and the others sampled the dorado fish
(which the kitchen nicely cooked up and served with a selection of sauces). I just couldnt bring myself to eat it.
This morning was rainy, but like yesterday soon cleared up and turned into a beautiful day. We had a delicious breakfast (we tried some excellent Swahili foods), and then we checked with reception to confirm our Covid tests which we had booked for 10 am. The woman at reception had told us yesterday that they right to the resort to do the test and that we could pay with a credit card. But when we checked after breakfast, it turned out that they that we would have to go there (it was only a 5 or so minute walk up the road) and that they didnt take credit cards. The cost was quite reasonable, 6000 Kenyan shillings each (about $67 Canadian dollars), but we didnt have enough cash. Reception told us we could pay by and that there was a kiosk where I could add money to my account right next door.
