I Survived the Lamma Ferry

My hands shake even as I compose this account of my latest (and if it were at all possible, last) ferry ride.

It all started a little after 1 pm today. Returning from lunch, I was surprised to be dismissed from work. Earlier that day the #1 typhoon flag was raised. The kindergarten principal told me that the flag was recently raised to #3 and that a #8 typhoon was headed our way. I rushed to the pier and jumped on the 2:30 pm ferry with only a minute to spare.

Seats were sparse and some were forced to stand. The ropes were loosened and we teetered into the storm. It’s only a 20 minute ride from Central to Lamma but we were all slaves to that vessel for over 40 minutes.

The first 10 minutes were a bit rocky which was all to be expected. Nausea took hold of me. I noticed some other pale faces as a little girl emptied her stomach into a plastic bag.

Then the waves started to push us every which way. This went on for 20 minutes. The steady and unpredictable movement was unnerving but there wasn’t any reason to be frightened, until…

The ocean swelled and the wind angrily beat us against the waves. Steady walls of water, as high as the top deck, transformed us into a toy boat. We crunched down into the sea’s valleys.

A determined, concentrated visage hung on one ferry worker who kept watch at the helm. Behind his eyes mirrored everyone’s worry: our fate was bound to a merciless ocean.

Children wailed. In between shrieks, one boy desperately pleaded “make the waves stop… make the waves stop.”

We were close to the pier now but no distance could be achieved. The crunch of the ferry sunk our hopes. If we didn’t capsize it seemed as though the vessel itself would give. I couldn’t take it anymore. A mix of terror and seasickness defeated me. I lost my lunch. The girl two seats down followed. Others joined in.

As I chucked a heavy shopping bag into the garbage, I heard everyone explode into cheers and applause. Despite the thick and sour cabin air, fear began to dissipate. The pier had been reached.

We all lurched onto solid ground where an audience had formed. They were held captive at our return. And they were stunned at our triumph over the ocean. The group conceded, “We thought you wouldn’t make it.” The storm had forcefully pressed the frailty of life upon us. Even if we were spared today, we all scraped against that cold fate… making our fair Lamma that much sweeter to return home to.