by Rostislav Makovichuk
Shortlisted in the 2023 PureTravel Writing Competition
One of the most breathtaking travel moments of my life occurred on a remote island in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives. It was a paradise unlike any other, and I was fortunate enough to experience a moment of pure serenity and wonder during my stay there.
The Maldives, with its turquoise waters, pristine white sandy beaches, and overwater bungalows, had always been a dream destination for me. When I finally arrived, I was met with a picture-perfect postcard setting. But it wasn’t until one particular morning that I encountered a moment that would stay with me forever.
I had decided to wake up early and take a stroll along the beach. The island was still bathed in the soft light of dawn, and the world seemed to be in a tranquil slumber. The gentle lapping of the waves against the shore created a soothing melody, and the only footprints in the sand were mine.
As I walked along the water’s edge, I noticed a faint, ethereal glow in the distance. Curiosity piqued, I continued walking until I reached the source of the light. What I encountered was nothing short of magical—an otherworldly scene of bioluminescent plankton illuminating the water.
With every step I took, the water around my feet came alive with a shimmering blue-green radiance. It was as though the stars had descended from the night sky and taken residence in the ocean. Each movement of the water created a dazzling display of light, and I felt like I was walking through a fairytale.
I couldn’t resist the temptation to dip my hand into the water. As I did, the tiny organisms responded, lighting up in a brilliant burst of light. It was as though the ocean itself was communicating with me in a language of beauty and wonder.
In that moment, I felt an incredible sense of connection to nature. It was as if the universe had orchestrated this breathtaking display just for me, a reminder of the awe-inspiring beauty that exists in the world. I sat down in the sand, mesmerized by the dance of light on the water, and contemplated the profound mysteries of the natural world.
As the sun began to rise on the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the ocean, I realized that this moment was a rare gift. It was a reminder that there are places on this Earth where magic still exists, where the boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary blur.
Leaving that beach, I carried with me not just the memory of the bioluminescent plankton but also a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around us. It was a moment of pure enchantment, a testament to the power of travel to unveil the hidden treasures of our planet and to remind us of the incredible beauty that surrounds us, waiting to be discovered.
