You might think the title of this post is just an artsy metaphor for some challenge we are working through, but in fact,
we just sailed through a real storm! Not exactly how we envisioned our first sailing experience...
Jeff D., a coworker and friend, invited us to go sailing on his boat. We were so excited to try sailing and eagerly accepted. We met up with Jeff D., Jeff B. (another coworker) and Alf (a sailing friend of Jeff D's) at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club. Oh, Lordy, I can tell this is going to be confusing already with all of these Jeff's! Please bear with me...
So, it was a lovely Saturday afternoon when we all met at the DOSC clubhouse. We enjoyed a fish and chips lunch (a meal that would soon come back to haunt poor Isaac) and some drinks out on the patio before setting sail. The cornflower sky was a bit hazy, but dotted with fluffy clouds, and there was a light breeze. Perfect sailing weather... or so we thought!
Jeff D's 28-foot sailboat, Insatiable, was lacking a motor, so he prefaced that he would have to do some tricky sailing to get out of the marina. The shear physics involved in the movement of that boat were amazing! It tilted from side to side so sharply we were certain it would tip right over, but as Jeff D. insisted, it didn't. Our hearts were pumping wildly during our departure from the narrow marina, as we slid from side to side, and water sloshed overboard. Little did we know what a mild experience all of this "scary tilting" would be!
Once out in the open water, Insatiable leveled out, and our nerves settled, so we kicked back and watched the world float by. Boats were bobbing about in the gulf and parasailors rocked back and forth in the breeze, suspended above the surf. We passed the Burj al Arab hotel and observed how the add-on sky bar bisected the building's main beam and unintentionally created the world's largest cross. It was quite a sight!
Not long after we passed the Burj we began to notice a line of gray clouds in the distance. The sailing experts (and I call them this with total respect, and not a hint of sarcasm!) had checked the weather, and nothing suggested a problem, so we dismissed the clouds as some problem neighboring Abu Dhabi would experience. Within minutes the sky had darkened, and it became apparent that the clouds were in fact headed for Dubai. Before we knew it, the wind had whipped up and huge clouds of sand were blanketing the Palm Jumeirah. Moments later, massive gusts of sand were sweeping along the mainland, completely concealing the high-rise speckled skyline in a grayish haze. It was evident the
shamal (wind storm) was heading straight for us at rapid speed. Jeff D. quickly informed us that we would have to ride the storm out on the boat. He sailed us farther out into the sea to avoid being thrust into the breakers, and within moments we were met by a splattering of rain and cold bursts of wind. The front sail, already showing signs of damage, tore almost instantly. The guys worked quickly to lower the sails and drop the anchor, in hopes we would stay far enough from the shore to remain safe. The gray swells grew larger and larger, rocking the boat violently. Jeff B. dove into the cabin and uncovered neon life jackets. Still snapping away with my camera, not quite realizing the severity of this storm, I donned the life jacket and Isaac and I posed for silly pictures. It wasn't long after that when the boat tipped so far, one side of it was submerged, that I knew then it was time to put the camera away and hold on for dear life! The storm continued to grow in intensity, and we were all soaked from the waves and the rain. We rocked around miserably for some time, and poor Isaac couldn't take it. My sweet hubby was hanging over the side of the boat, feeding the fishes. Vomiting is a terrible enough experience, but what Isaac endured was miserable- the boat thrashing violently, waves sloshing him in the face, wind and half-digested fish and chips blowing everywhere... ugh! Not fun! When Isaac finally emptied his stomach, his face had turned a shade of yellowish-green I've never seen on a person before.
After countless stomach-lurching tilts we realized the anchor was not holding the boat and we were drifting towards shore. Our greatest danger was beaching the boat, so Jeff D. decided we should raise the anchor and attempt to sail off. The incredibly agile Alf, dug through the cabin and uncovered a storm sail. Next thing we knew, he was clambering up to the front of the boat and single-handedly replacing the torn sail. We raised the sails, and they whipped around violently, slapping loudly in the wind. Alf made several attempts to haul the anchor aboard, but the turbulent seas made the task impossible. We inched closer to shore, and Jeff D. made the decision to cut the anchor- the only anchor we had- and try to sail off. We held our breathes and prayed more fervently than ever, as they released the anchor to the murky depths. With some tricky maneuvering and some gut-leaping tilts and dips, Jeff D. was able to coax the boat back out to sea. "We're sailing!" he exclaimed. It was a relief to all of us, but we still had the better part of an hour to rock our way through the seemingly endless gray-green swells back to the marina. We were cold, wet, sore, and queasy, but we were alive! Passing back by the massive cross at the Burj I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and thankfulness... a few more "thank you!" prayers were said then! As we neared the sailing club I asked Jeff D., a lifetime sailor, how this storm compared to others he has experienced. He couldn't think of one that was worse!
The immense relief I felt the minute I set one shaky foot on the dock was incredible! Oh, land, how I love you!
Alf (and the misleading beautiful blue sky)
"Scary tilt" leaving the marina. Notice the angle of the dials and the horizon.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Burj al Arab (with the world's largest cross)
Enjoying the day!
Sandstorm starting on the palm... within minutes you couldn't see any of those buildings
Sandstorm moving to the mainland
It's a bit tricky to see , but our boat is tilted nearly on its side... not underwater yet at this point though!
Aaaahhhh! Little did we know how scary it was about to get!
Alf replacing the sail
Color beginning to return to Ike's face...
At least we had a beautiful sunset (Palm Jumeirah with the Atlantis Hotel in the background)
Back in the marina
Heroes of the day! Alf and Jeff D.
