Boing, boing boing! OK, so how to keep on this thing without falling on and looking like an idiot? A whole boat load of foreign tourists had recently landed and were gearing up for an appetising lunch on the beach. The tables were laid, the chefs were sweating in the island winter sun to rustle up a treat. The visitors would remember this: they had to get this right.
I saw buckets of champagne being unloaded by a speedboat. A tanned youth in tight fitting white uniform was making sure that the island’s inhabitants were taking notice of him as he earned his crust. Yes, you could say that they were having a pretty sophisticated lunch.
And here I was, trying not to make a fool of myself but enjoying it. As I’d been strolling down the beach I’d notice the team from the cruise ship hauling a giant sea-trampoline close to the shore. About a metre high from the sea with a big inflatable tyre round it, it looked cool. A breeze I thought, looks easy. That’s the thing about holidays: you get the chance to try out new things. In fact, it’s probably as much to do with you being in a frame of mind to try new things. Anyway, some exercise would be good, let’s give it a go.
So a short paddle out from the beach and there I was. A convenient little rope ladder on one side made it easy to hop on. OK, keep it steady, hit the middle and it’ll be a doddle. But whoah, this thing moves as you bounce! As soon as I hit the trampoline the whole thing shifted sideways. I struggled to keep my composure and hold it together. Worse, the trampoline was really tight. This meant that I had to really power down to get some lift. That made it hard work. I was sweating away and not bouncing particularly high. Hmm, not cool and I probably look like a rodent from the shore. So how to save the situation? Only one thing for it, get a bit of speed up and try to land on my back. Get them worried, make them think I’m a stuntman or that I’ve just broken my neck and have been mortally wounded.
Up in the air and then back down – bang, straight on the deck. Looking good I thought. No reaction from the beach.
So I lay there, soaking up the sun, droplets of sweat and seawater glistening in the sun. This feels good. My lungs were being given a chance to catch up and the blood was still pumping furiously through my veins.
Trying a new experience away from home is fun. Doing it on a remote island upon tranquil waters is impressive, cool, extra special. Savouring the details and the little moments are what make life worth living.
This article is a part of a series when Tinggly Team visited Richard Branson’s Necker island. Read more: Traveling is a wonder that is difficult to describe to others.