Why I love the blue...

 “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”

 – Jacques Yves Cousteau

There is some strong magnetism that the Sea has on us. In fact don't know why we call the earth the green planet when it actually is blue. 70% of the earth is covered by the sea. Supporting all kinds of life - flora and fauna. Complete in itself.... yet mysterious!

 The depth of the sea carries secrets that no one knows, this depth has many effects on the people around. The impact can be contradicting. I have grown up in a sea port town, though I was born in the hills. Looking at the sea always gave me some kind of pleasure, mystique that can't be expressed in any words, don't have the vocabulary to match the mighty Ocean. But it has made me laugh, find my answers and a lot of the times I have cried my heart out... looking at the sea! As a little girl I would go with my naval dad to the sea, while he attended to his work, I would drown myself in its vastness. I did sail a couple of times on short voyages lasting 3-4 days. I would go through the thrill and adventure on the first day and somehow that would change to gloom from the second. On the third day I would long to see the land and the sight of the approaching harbour would be like an oasis in the desert.

About the mood changes and the impact of the trio, sea - tides - moon, my mother experiences that, just the other day I saw a bit of swelling on her feet and I asked her what had happened, like always her answer was it was amavasya (no moon night). I tried finding it out and this is what I learnt; the moon's gravity (along with that of the Sun) causes the tides which indirectly also affects life on Earth. Through the tides the moon slows down the spin speed of the Earth and this in turn makes the Moon recede from the Earth.The only known major effect is the tidal effects in the sea. Other theories, that it affects people's moods, and so forth, have never been proven. Somethings are never proven but people experience them....I have also heard that the moon (specifically a full moon) causes labour. Is there a scientific proof? there can't be, but go to a maternity ward and have a chat with the nurses, chances are 9 out of 10 would say that its true. I was born on a full moon night and so was my brother. Its a coincidence again, that my elder one was born on a full moon night too. Some also believe that the trio have  spiritual effects on people and animals. Animals can sense a lot of natural processes (calamities).

I used to read the Skin Diver Magazine, that covered the different diving locations around the world and gave information about the sea and the unique features of that area. As well as list all the dos and don'ts while diving there. I dreamt about those seas and my diving adventures. Used to, eagerly wait for the subsequent issues of the magazine.Now, it's all thanks to the internet we have access to so much of information. Reading about the mystique of the oceans is always eventful and makes me wonder we are just a little drop in the mighty Ocean.

The Ocean is like that man whose charismatic persona makes one addicted to. Desirable yet so aloof, mysterious and full of zest. Isak Dinesen, a Danish writer has beautifully described the significance of the sea, “The cure for anything is salt water–sweat, tears or the sea” . Somehow this is one of the greatest quotes that I have heard ... how true!  A man wins his battle by the salt... sweat or tears! Sea water is a cure for many ailments and I have experienced it.

It was around 2002-3. There was a little growth on my ankle, didn't really know what it was. Thought it would disappear the way it came in the first place but that didn't happen. Went to a hospital and met a specialist. He told me that cutting it would make a scar so he asked me to come for chemical peeling. I was okay even with the cutting of that growth, more than me the doctor was concerned about the scar, ...yes I wasn't married then! But scar or no scar... it didn't matter to me. Went for about 8 sittings, twice a week. but nothing happened and once out of irritation I told the doctor to have it removed which he did. With that scar, I went to Goa. I was sitting at one of the beaches there and saw the men riding the waves...Felt like stepping into the sea, I just couldn't resist… finally gave in. There was a bandage on my ankle for the cut but I jumped into the water and swam quite a bit finally riding the little waves! Didn't know how 3 hours passed by. Just the next day I noticed the wound healing and it healed so well. Since then I have been telling almost everyone who I meet about the healing properties of the sea water. Yes the Spas the world over use this to their advantage, for some its the USP. The natural rich mud and salt is believed to give the waters of the Dead Sea certain curative and beautifying properties that are used by the Spas for various treatments and relaxation techniques.

 “A lot of people attack the sea, I make love to it.” – Jacques Yves Cousteau

Have seen a lot of diving adventures of Jacques Cousteau (11 June 1910 – 25 June 1997), He was a French naval officer, explorer, conservationist, filmmaker, innovator, scientist, photographer, author and researcher who studied the sea and all forms of life in water. He co-developed the 'Aqua-Lung', pioneered marine conservation and was a member of the Académie française. He lived literally in the sea and understood it so well, that's how he could say that he made love to it. That’s the kind of impact the sea has on us. The gypsy heart longs for a little cottage by the sea.... what bliss!

PS

I'll keep with my promise of writing about Abhilash Tomy in my posts till he is back from his historic voyage.

(Abhilash Tomy is attempting to be the first Indian on a solo non stop unassisted circumnavigation of the globe)

He is certainly experiencing the blue... the vast one at the moment and taming those waves, this is what he said, 

"Tired after an hour of struggle with the genoa which opened up in 30 knot winds. It was beating like the devil held by its throat. All under control. Need to check in lighter winds AOK. Meanwhile, winds have been touching 35 knots after 24 hours of being steady at 20 knots. Wasnt a bad day yesterday- did a 200 mile run!" 

'Winds gusting 45 kntos. I cant beleive Cyclone Nilam had only 50 knots tops"....

The lone ranger can be tired a bit but the spirit is certainly very high! Keep up Sailor!!

 To know more about Lt. Cdr Tomy and his boat the Mhadei, follow the link below.

Check: www.sagarparikrama2.blogspot.com

             www.Facebook.com/www.mhadei.co.in

Current position of the Mhadei