Mind Surfing – Part 2
We were on a private motu off the main island of Aitutaki courtesy of the islands queen who wasn’t so high and mighty that she couldn’t ride along with us in the back of the pick up truck down to the wharf. This motu was once a refueling stop on the coral route for the “flying boats” and all that remains is a crumbling dock and a single house that we shared with a good friend, his wife and daughter.
We‘re the only people on the island.
I’ve been on more than my fair share of islands and this one was the picture that goes next to the words “idyllic south seas isle“ in the dictionary.
Crescent white sand beach with sand so fine it squeaks when you walk on it. Perfect coco palms fat with coconuts at precisely the right angle.
Thirsty? Crack a coconut.
Hungry for a snack? Crack a coconut.
Neon turquoise water and natural aquariums on either end of the island with innumerable neon tropical fish. A gentle tropical breeze that caresses the skin like a velvet blanket. That and a wave impossible to make roping down the reef on the opposite side of the island, good for an hour a day of mind surfing.
I don’t even get a board in the water on this trip which is a first but it’s probably my best surf trip ever.
When the day comes to leave the island as we are on the boat ride back across the lagoon I look over at my boy who is looking back at the island with tears falling down his face and I turn away so he wont see mine.
Just like Pop has on every trip to the South Seas he’s allowed to go up to the mountaintop get a little glimpse of home trough foggy glasses and compelled (for the time being) to come back down the hill.
I can see that he’s every bit as smitten as I am.
Soon enough the symbols and the signposts will be reality and one that will never pass away. “ Let those who have eyes to see, see….”
-Michael
