Trip

It was Christmas Eve, and Erin and I were preparing for our flight to Zanzibar. However, the 25cm of snow at Vancouver Airport had other plans, leading to the cancellation of all flights. In a split-second decision, we decided to drive down to Seattle, a frantic decision that had us on the road by 9pm, skipping our initial Vancouver flight to catch the connection from Seattle. We owe a big thanks to Erin’s parents who graciously agreed to pick up our car the next day!

When we landed in Zanzibar, our relief was palpable. We got to spend a wonderful day exploring Stone Town, local spice farms and even picked up some Swahili phrases. The next day, we ventured to Mafia, a small island off Zanzibar known for its Whale Sharks. The island was a hidden gem, untouched by commercialization and the locals were immensely warm and welcoming.

 

The following day, we embarked on a quest to find whale sharks on a traditional wooden dhow. The turquoise blue and warm water were captivating, but even after 5 hours, there were no signs of the sharks. Disappointed, we decided to give it another try the next day.

 

Again, after 5 hours of searching, no sharks. The disappointment was setting in. Just as I was dozing off on the return ride, I woke to shouts of 'Shark!'. Our guide, Maya, had jumped into the water. We quickly got our gear on, sat on the edge of the boat, and at the shouts of 'Go, Go, Go', we jumped into the choppy water.

 

The water was rough, and I swallowed sea water, coughing and struggling to stay afloat. I lost sight of Maya and unfortunately didn't get a look at the shark. We were picked up by the boat, only to get ready for another plunge.

 

Another attempt, more swallowed water, and still no shark. But as the saying goes, third time’s the charm! We jumped into the water, swam as hard as we could towards Maya, and then, out of the dark depths, we saw it. A 10-foot shark, gliding gracefully like an airplane through the water. This majestic creature was surprisingly fast. I quickly took my chance and made a quick dive down to swim alongside the shark for a fleeting, yet unforgettable moment. Unfortunately for Erin, in my excitement, I accidentally kicked her during my dive. A small price to pay for the most exhilarating experience of our lives!