the stowaway

Adventure gavage! Almost one month in and all the senses are filled to capacity. Taking time to digest everything is paramount. The quiet moments are equally as important as the brazen ones. 

We spend a handful of days traveling through Vietnam and honestly, the energy is one I cannot connect with. Trevor is much the same so, we take time to reassemble our energy and hide away in our cabin. 

I am dressed in only a t-shirt and shorts refusing to leave the room. Trevor dutifully is out gathering food and supplies. We watch the ocean change color, the sky breathe, the sun and moon play tag. Ships of every kind sail across this passage of liquid blue. 

After a day or so Trevor recommends I go out for a walk on deck, ‘it will do you good and fuel you with the energy you need to create and play.’ Peopled out and in no mood to leave the cabin, yet he persists. 

Fine.

Donning a hat that obscures my line of vision, I head out. Secret passages bring me to deck  11, the pool is overflowing with humans and I see sanctuary near the back of the ship. A sliver of shade looks inviting and I hide quietly there. Seconds later something lightly brushes my elbow and I look to see what it is. A triangular green head looks towards me with full attention. A long, green, and elegant body the size of my hand sways like a pendulum. I have discovered a stowaway - in mantis form! 

We sail towards Singapore and I tell the mantis I am happy for the company, then deliver the news that Vietnam is no longer home. ‘You will have to be a Singapore mantis now.’ In my imagination, a look of indifference comes across the mantis’ face. 

We spend three-quarters of an hour together just being in each other’s presence. This is magic and I am recharged. Armed with well wishes, I protectively find a safe space for my new friend to hide. 

To be the only one on board who spent their afternoon with a mantis while sailing the South China Sea will be a moment I shall never forget.