My new series features some of my favourite holiday destinations. So far we’ve visited Dubai, Bournemouth, Harrogate, Dalaman in Turkey, The Isle of Wight and Florida. This week, we’re travelling to the Greek island of Rhodes.
The steaming hot sunshine my partner and I had experienced every day so far on our wonderful holiday in Rhodes had deserted us the morning of our special trip, towards the end of the holiday. Up until then, the skies had been a shimmering blue, with hardly a wisp of a cloud in the sky. We’d visited the gloriously sandy beaches, soaked up the richness of the island’s history and chatted to the friendly locals.
Now, leaden clouds had gathered, following us on our journey. I leaned over the side of the boat, watching the waves bump against us, pushing us ever closer to our destination.
The chug of the boat began to slow, until it became a splutter and died. The nerves started to jangle. Why was I doing this? I wasn’t particularly keen on water and here I was, scuba diving for the first time.
I listened carefully as instructions were given and I tested the oxygen mask for the first time. I began to panic and my breathing quickened. I couldn’t do it. The instructor I’d been paired with smiled gently and told me everything would be all right.
I looked round at my partner, and the others, saw their excitement and eagerness to take in the delights under the water. I knew it would be beautiful; I knew it would be a memory I’d never forget. But I still wasn’t sure…
The sting of water stabbed my arms as splashes cascaded over me. I was the only one left; everyone else was below me, their flippers disappearing from sight.
Before I knew it my instructor had grabbed my arm and down we were going, too.
I couldn’t breathe. This was it. And it was, but not the end – the beginning. I took in the stunning colours of the sea – the brilliant turquoises, the stunning mauves, the gleaming greys, as the water shimmied and shimmered. An electric blue fish tickled my arm, its tail swishing through the water. Another, an iridescent purple, glided over my head. Every colour imaginable swirled through my vision.
Our allocated time was up all too quickly and I burst through the surface, my journey to the bottom of the sea (well, a few feet beneath the surface) over. I must have had the biggest grin on my face when I removed my mask.
It really was the most fantastic end to the holiday.
Esther Chilton 
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