In February 2020, before the pandemic made its presence known, we embarked on a trip to Kauai, Hawaii. The island is a tourist paradise with beautiful beaches, lush greenery, and stunning landscapes. My wife was especially excited about visiting a lovely Siva Temple there, so off we went.

Hawaii’s sea waters are known to be choppy, and with cliffs all around, we had booked a boat ride for whale watching and a sunset view. I took motion sickness tablets in advance, hoping to avoid any seasickness. With some trepidation, I stepped onto the boat, bracing myself for the ride. We took our seats on the open deck at the bow, and upon the Captain’s warning that we might get drenched, I swiftly moved away from the edges. I was determined to stay as dry as possible.

The boat ride was bumpy. It dipped and thudded, with the bow frequently dipping into the water and coming back up. I held onto the railing, my muscles tensed and my face expressionless, praying to the River God and promising penance. Suddenly, the boat stopped. Whales! Everywhere. They were leaping out of the water, and one even came quite close to the boat. I was deeply grateful to the whales for distracting me from my fears, and I found joy in their presence.

As the boat remained anchored, we enjoyed a pristine, golden sunset that was both peaceful and invigorating. Snacks and refreshments were being served, but as a strict vegetarian, I stayed away from them. After half an hour, I asked my son why the boat wasn’t moving. With a puzzled look, he pointed out that the boat was indeed returning—it was moving slowly on sails. Embarrassed by my lack of observation, I kept quiet and enjoyed the return journey.

The trip ended pleasantly, and I found myself more comfortable with boating, thanks in part to the motion sickness medication. It seemed that the astrologer’s curse might not be as significant as I once believed. Perhaps my promise of penance had paid off.

Continued in 145. Fears Not Watered Down - Part 4