|
Teluk Kemang, located eight miles from Port Dickson town, is
a highly sought-after holiday destination. The stunning white sand beach and
calm waters typically draw large crowds. Even during low and high tides, the
water's edge remains constant, making it easy for swimmers to reach an
appropriate depth.
On this particular Sunday, the beach is jam-packed with vacationers. As I
arrive with a group of friends, finding a parking spot proves to be quite a
challenge. After searching for some time, we finally locate one a few
hundred meters from the beach. Despite the inconvenience, we feel fortunate
to find one at all.
We waste no time and jump into the sea, swimming and enjoying the water.
Looking towards the beach, I see a sea of people standing, sitting, and
strolling around. Children are building sandcastles, while a few adults are
sunbathing. Unfortunately, the sun is nowhere to be found behind the ominous
clouds in the sky.
Suddenly, I realize that it is going to rain. As if on cue, heavy raindrops
begin to pour down relentlessly. I can feel the sting of the rain on my bare
shoulders as the sea churns under the downpour. The other swimmers,
including myself, crouch low in the water to escape the stinging drops.
Through the blur of the rain, I see the vacationers on the beach frantically
scurrying for shelter. Most of them are dressed in their finest clothes, as
they are mainly harried city workers who visit the beach to relax and
unwind. However, this Sunday is not a happy one for them. Before they can
find shelter, most of them are drenched from head to toe, their hair,
makeup, and clothes ruined. They take refuge under whatever cover they can
find, including the stalls, hotels, massive trees, and buses. A few brave
ones stand in the rain with their umbrellas, a pathetic sight. The beach is
now empty.
The souvenir vendors are more prepared for the rain, as they quickly cover
their wares with plastic sheets. They have had plenty of practice at this.
The speedboats that usually ferry vacationers around the bay for a fee
remain idle. The drivers sit forlornly in the boats, waiting for the rain to
stop.
Meanwhile, those of us still in the sea continue to enjoy ourselves. The
experience of being caught in the rain while in the water is invigorating.
There is water everywhere, and it is safe to drink, so we open our mouths to
taste it.
As time passes, the waves grow larger and the wind stronger. Soon, it
becomes impossible to swim as the waves become enormous and the wind chilly.
I signal to my friends that it's time to leave.
Exiting the warm water into the cold, driving rain is like stepping out of a
warm bed into a refrigerator. We shiver uncontrollably as we run to our car.
It feels wonderful to be inside the warm car, but we make quite a mess of it
with sand, water, and salt everywhere. I will have to clean the car when we
get home.
As we start the engine and prepare to leave, we see buses and cars departing
the beach. It seems that most people have decided to leave too. Based on the
intensity of the storm, I suspect it will continue for a few hours. There is
no point in staying any longer. Nonetheless, many vacationers remain,
braving the pouring rain, waiting for the sun to reappear and the beach to
become cheery and sunny once again. |
