Adventure of lifetime, walking on the sea bed

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands constitute the most tourist-friendly place in the country, more popular than even Rajasthan or Kerala.

Everything on the islands revolve around tourism. I along with my wife and son had a wonderful holiday there a few years ago. One of the most advertised attractions on the islands was the ‘sea walk’.

Tourists are taken in a small boat to a larger one anchored about 100 metres off the shore. You are taken down a step ladder that leads to the floor of the sea. One has to wear a heavy helmet connected to the surface with a tube allowing one to breathe. The moment you step on the sea bed, you are swarmed by myriads of fish, of all hues and colour. And then the live coral, swaying in water currents, are an exhilarating sight to watch!

Afraid of water as I am, it was a no-go for me to venture onto the sea bed. However, to show my teenaged son that I’m not scared, I offered to lead him underwater. After a video demonstration and reassurance, I was the first one to be escorted down. The buoyancy of water was so strong that the helmet would tilt and water would reach up to the chin, while it was difficult for me to plant my feet on the surface.

The team leader held me by my arms, helping me to stand. My son was to join next but after a long wait, another of our tourist-party members, a woman, was escorted down, and then her husband. We formed a chain and were made to walk on the sea-bed, feeding the fish in swarms, and touching the corals. It was an out-of-the-world experience, but I was wondering where my son was.

Soon our time was up and we were brought back on the boat where I learnt that my son had developed cold feet and would spring back the step ladder every time his head went into the water. I emerged as the strong man of our family.

The next day’s programme included snorkeling at another island. Sitting on the beach with legs dangling in the water, I simply refused to venture in for the adventure. A woman who we did not know suddenly remarked, “So, you are the person who feigned breathing trouble yesterday during the sea-walk?”

Before, I could answer, my wife retorted, “No, he is not the one, he did go for the sea walk; he is not afraid of water, it was our son who was scared.” We had a hearty laugh at my wife’s defence of me.

THE BUOYANCY WAS

SO STRONG THAT THE WATER WOULD REACH UP TO THE CHIN, WHILE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PLANT MY FEET ON THE SURFACE