The beach is not my playground

It must be more than 15 years since the last time I swam on the sea. Or make it 20? Could be, could be more.

I often go to the beach in Bali, but I only sit on the beach, under the shade and read a book, or write, or eat, or doing other things except swimming and sunbathing. So this weekend was different. I’ve been going to some beaches with my friend and she told me the stuff she’s done. Parasailing, learning to surf, swimming with boogie board (body surf) or simply swimming. The stories really get into me it raised my interest in swimming in the sea again. So we decided to go.

Dreamland is one of many surfers’ paradises in Bali. The beach is wide, the sands are white, the waves were furious. Especially after full moon, water tide could last until noon. We reached the beach around 7.20 AM. Quite, tranquil and people were still asleep. We stationed our bags and stuff, changed and ready to hit the waves. We managed to rent a couple of boogie boards, and did some warming up.

Just when I thought I was ready, we approached the waves and only 1 thing came into my mind, this sure was a helluva lot of water!

Embarrassing, but I have to admit I didn’t last long. The salty water made me thirsty; I kept hoping I could reach for water (mineral water) whenever I come out from the sea. The sun came too early and it was bright already before it was even 9, so I decided to sit under the shade. Sure wish I could be more like the people there who seem to have a friendly relationship with the waves, as if it was only playing with them and will not harm them.

Well, I guess 15 (or 20) years was a long time of absence, can’t really expect me to be familiar with it after 10 mins on the water. I’m not afraid of water, but you know the feeling when you’re in the sea you have nothing to grip on, the waves can just take you, the current can suck you below, and pretty much, that’s the end of you.