Sailing Suluada: Adventures in Crystal Waters

On the last day, I finally got a full eight hours of sleep, a luxury I hadn't experienced in six months. Initially reluctant to embark on another '12-hour day trip' after the exhausting journey to Pamukkale the day before, I hesitated. Yet, it turned out to be a 'Just do it' moment, and I was immensely grateful that I did.

After a two-hour drive from Antalya, we arrived at the boats in Adrasan. The street leading to the dock was dusty, but once we left it behind, we were greeted by an incredible sight: one of the largest mountains I had ever seen up close, shrouded in fog like a scene from a King Kong movie. It was truly breathtaking. As we strolled along the beach, passing numerous boats, we finally reached ours - named 'Big Boss'. We had to remove our footwear to board without getting them wet, though the heat of the stones underfoot proved surprisingly painful. The clear turquoise water provided relief as we stepped onto the boat. At the top deck, they had laid out mats where we could relax and enjoy the journey to the island. It made a significant difference, allowing us to lay down and fully appreciate the experience.

As we set sail, the day seemed disappointing by the dull weather. However, everything changed when the Spanish music began playing on the speakers and we sailed further along the coast. The view opened up a little more. One by one, towering mountains surrounded us, with the colossal peak we first glimpsed now behind us. The scene was picturesque, with other ships gracefully navigating alongside us. A little while later, some passengers stood up, likely calling friends or partners to capture photos, but their smiles grew wider with genuine joy. Curious, I knelt down and peered into the water, only to spot a dolphin trailing behind us. "Oh, wow!" I exclaimed, drawing attention from others on board who also looked over. Unfortunately, someone thought it was a good idea to toss Cheetos to the dolphin from the deck below, causing it to swim away eventually. Disheartened by the disturbance, I decided to retreat and doze off for the next fifteen minutes, enjoying the vibe.

I woke up to a vast expanse of sea in every direction. However, when I turned around, Suluada Island greeted me in all its magnificent glory. Other boats had already arrived, with people joyously leaping into the crystal-clear water and having a great time. Instead of following the usual routine of changing into swimwear and joining them, I felt drawn to climb the sturdy rocks. They seemed solid enough to support my weight, and capturing a video of the island from this vantage point would have been spectacular. Manoeuvring up onto the larger rocks was surprisingly easy, though I did catch curious glances from onlookers wondering what I was up to. Earlier on the boat, I had struck up a conversation with four lads from Manchester who were sitting near my bag on the beach. They had decided not to swim or engage in any activities, opting to simply relax on the island. I offered to take their group picture, for the sake of memories.

Our next stop was a quick visit to a cave. As we circled around the island, the theme song from Titanic played, adding an unexpected touch of romance or suspense—whichever they intended, it worked. Afterward, we headed to another beach. My plan was to climb a rock for a picture before taking a refreshing jump into the sea. To my surprise, the boat was anchored further out this time, so the water reached up to our necks when we disembarked. Risking it with my phone in hand, I managed to snap a good picture, but getting back on the boat didn't go as smoothly. Struggling to keep my phone dry while reaching for the distant ladder, everyone on board realized my predicament. Just as I was about to lose hope, an Asian woman extended her hand, assuming I needed help. With desperation in my voice, I calmly asked her, "Please hold this." Her quick action saved my phone from the water, and I was immensely grateful.

I had asked a couple of Filipinos to record my jump into the water for me and send it over WhatsApp (though I never received it). As I prepared for my leap, a European man and his wife approached the ledge. My beard was wet and unruly, and I did not have my hat on yet when I received the biggest compliment of the day. "You look like James Harden," the man exclaimed. Initially taken aback, I chuckled to myself and thought, "Well, I'll take it." The Filipino recording me chimed in, "Oh my God, you really do look like James Harden. Are you him?"
Surprised, I couldn't help but wonder if they could see I was... brown..
"Yes... would you like an autograph?" I replied, playing along with the amusing comparison. I look nothing like James Harden.

I jumped into the water, and it was an epic experience. The cool water felt refreshing, my swimming shorts stayed on, and wearing goggles proved worthwhile as the underwater scenery was stunning. Schools of little fish swam in clusters around me, while giant rocks and swaying plants adorned the seabed. After swimming back to the boat effortlessly, I made one last attempt to persuade the four lads from Manchester to join in, but they remained steadfast in their decision not to. As we departed from this beach, we were treated to sizzling delightful Turkish tea. Taking a moment to relax on the upper deck, I sipped tea and took in the breathtaking view. With the sun now shining brightly and the boats gone, I appreciated how crystal clear the sea appeared, shimmering beautifully before me. It was a moment that left me in awe, grateful that I had decided to come on this journey.

As we headed back towards the starting point, the boat made a final stop just before reaching shore, allowing people to jump into the sea a few more times. While I chose not to jump again, I enjoyed chatting with those who were gearing up for their leaps. It was a pleasure to have delightful conversations with them, hearing their anticipation as they prepared to say "Bismillah" before jumping. Even the Asian woman who had helped save my phone earlier decided to conquer her fear and take the leap. Witnessing the excitement on someone else as they face their fears brought me a special kind of joy. It reminded me of the privilege I've had in my travels over the years, being able to witness such courageous moments firsthand.