Dhangethi, Maldives - September 2024
Sri Lanka is an hour and a half flight and four hours by ferry from the Maldives: when I took the zoom out of Google Maps when planning my trip and realised this, I didn't think half a second about stopping there.
This tropical paradise, iconic for its crystal-clear waters, white sand and incredible seabed, has two faces. Out of 1192 islands, about 160 have luxury resorts while 187 are inhabited by locals and you can stay in guesthouses run by locals.
We arrived in Dhangethi by speedy boat from Malè, and at the marina we found Odey - a former hotel manager and retired volleyball coach who ran our guesthouse. He reminded me of Morgan Freeman, a big, good man who would appear quietly at the most unexpected moments and instil a lot of calm in me with his gentle, calm tone of voice.
One evening at sunset we went out with Hussein and a fisherman from the island to fish for dinner. It was the first time and I didn't know exactly what to expect, but going towards the horizon with the sky turning pink and the wind in my hair was enough.
Engine off, I get a line to which we attach pieces of tuna as bait. So much for the fishing rod. When the sun disappears completely to make way for a blue sky quilted with stars, there is no longer a thought in my head. At first all the fish took the bite and ran away - or maybe it was me who was too slow in reeling in the line, which went down several metres to the bottom. After a few attempts I started to get the hang of it, to understand the timing, the movements, to listen and to move fast. I caught a nice haul, including a barracuda, which we then grilled together on the sandy road once we returned, and enjoyed by the sea.
I often return in my mind to that image, which for me was a culmination of serenity. In the middle of the Indian ocean, just the sound of the waves crashing on the little boat, the starry sky and the smiling eyes of Hussein and his fisherman friend.
Vale
コメント