On our ferry ride to Victoria, we saw even large buses parked in the spacious lower deck. With all that weight, the ferry’s motion was barely noticeable, though my fear of water remained. The ferry had restaurants and brochures about local attractions, and I managed to travel comfortably, overcoming my initial anxieties.

Our aquatic adventures continued with a trip to Alaska. We embarked on a long boat trip—if it was called a boat—deep into the ocean. Traveling on an empty stomach proved fortunate, as both my sons felt unwell. The journey was relatively smooth until the captain spotted whales. The boat lurched suddenly, almost throwing me off balance. Disoriented, I struggled to find the whales in the chaos. Fortunately, the stewards helped me regain my composure, and I marveled at the spectacular sight of the whales leaping out of the water.

Another memorable experience was visiting a calving glacier, which involved a disorienting 180-degree turn. Miraculously, the water seemed to avoid me, perhaps respecting my so-called curse.

In 1981, we visited Kodaikanal, where we decided to go for a boat ride on the lake despite my reservations. We boarded a small rowboat with the four of us. The boatman handed me a rope to hold while he went to fetch something. My grip was insufficient to keep the boat in place, and I let go in a panic. The astrologer’s warnings flashed through my mind as I called for help. A passing gentleman, who turned out to be the Chief of the boat club, used a long pole to pull us back. He glared at the boatman before leaving. Such incidents made it hard to overcome my fears.

Our visit to Banff-Jasper National Park in Canada presented another challenge. This area is known for its stunning lakes, and my family decided to rent motorboats. We received instructions about maintaining distance between boats due to their slow turning capabilities. I mistakenly thought steering a boat would be as simple as turning a car’s wheel, only to find it was not.

We were equipped with life vests, which reassured me somewhat. As we enjoyed the beautiful surroundings, we drifted too close to another boat. Amidst the cries and frantic attempts to steer away, I futilely paddled with little effect. Fortunately, the boats only lightly touched, and we managed to separate and drift apart.

I had once again managed to avoid the curse.

Continued in 144. Fears Not Watered Down - Part 3