As I stepped down on the Kovalam beach from Kovalam Ashok for my early morning walk around 5:30 it was misty and cold that summer morning.
At the beach, came a local to ask if I would be interested to watch the Dolphins in the Sea. He would take me on a Motorboat and bring me back in half hour.
I agreed to the price and he went to fetch the boat.
He came back shortly on a local Catamaran. Feigning the motor of the boat had some engine problem, he had an oar in his hand and was dressed only in a loin cloth.
I refused but he convinced me it was safe and to hurry before the Dolphins disappeared from the sea. It was dicey to be in the boat, it sank in a bit and the sea water was only 2" below.
You shift and the whole boat tilted on the side. It was scary, but I learnt to sit still and not move.
We went mid seas and surely, I saw the playful Dolphins in their schools for about 20 mins and returned via the Rocky Mountain side along the waters.
Suddenly the boatman jumped into the sea and disappeared.
God, I said another con job and would demand extra money to take me to the beach.
He surfaced on the other side and dived down again. This went on for 10 mins and was the scariest wait of my life.
The boat shook and tilted precariously to a side. In came my guide jumping into the boat. Before I could say anything, he opened the net bag attached to his waist.
He pulled out two large Oysters, cracked them open and presented me the gift from the sea.
While I slurped them in, he winked and naughtily pointed his index rubbing it with the thumb of the other - to say it is good for my manhood.
He offered me about 8-9 of them. Thus began the return trip.
As we berthed on the beach, he got off to present me the rest of the catch. I said no thank you and was in a hurry to return and paid my money.
It was 7:30.
Meanwhile the Hotel Security came running frantically to round up the boatman. There was commotion and on enquiry was told they were not allowed to come to the beach and pick up 'innocent guests' for such trips as it was risky.
Meanwhile my local manager had raised the alarm in the hotel of his missing guest.
As per Security at the gate I had stepped down to the beach for my morning walk, after which there was no sign of me. They suspected drowning in the sea.
I intervened to let the man go.
Winked at him for the trip and the Oysters.
I walked back to the hotel amused at my 'morning walk.'
Phew!
What an adventure it was!
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