Sunset On A Ridgeback Whale

A truly humbling experience for a small group of people on vacation, as they are presented with the amazing spectacle of watching the sun set on a ridgeback whale. These sorts of things only happen if you are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.

The walk to the small palm roofed cocktail bar, which sat at the edge of the ocean, was along narrow stone paths that wound their way through the beautiful landscape gardens of the luxurious vacation resort.

Only a handful of people had ventured out to take the air, to enjoy a few of the cocktails that were served in coconut shells and to share a good pleasurable conversation with whoever else had decided to come out.

After a long day in the hot sun, shaded only by the occasional palm tree, it was so nice to feel the cool air gently blowing from the ocean. Taking a walk after the wonderful meal that they had experienced in the exotic restaurant would help their digestive systems.

The ocean was calm and placid, with the sun slowly sinking in the sky, it would soon be sunset, which was why the cocktail bar had acquired the name ‘Sunset Palms’. Imagine, if you will, the idyllic thought of looking out across a sunset lit ocean while you are slowly drinking a few superb generous cocktails that were prepared by a cheerful native bartender.

Many of the locals had said that when the sun sets, just as it touches the horizon line of the ocean, that it is possible to see a bright green flash of light that lasts only a few seconds.

Needless to say the majority of our conversations were about whether or not we would actually even see this green flash phenomenon and the general consensus of opinion was that it would be most unlikely.

Somebody expressed that they thought that the moment of sunset was now only about two minutes away and perhaps it would be a good idea to concentrate our attention on the horizon. 

All of us were intently watching the crimson red globe of the sun while it was moving ever closer to making contact along the ocean’s horizon.

Then, in the sea immediately below our vision of the sunset, appeared a large shape of a sea mammal, it was a ridgeback whale. As its full length rose, it hardly even disturbed the water as it was surfacing.

In the very next moment the sun set and gave us all a spectacular view of its red, orange light shining on the ridgeback whale. Nobody had even noticed if there had been a bright green flash of light, we were all much too busy looking at the marvellous scene that was presented to us.

We continued to watch the ridgeback whale as it ever so slowly moved along in the water. While we were watching, a mist, which subsequently turned into a drizzly rain, told us it was time to vacate the little cocktail bar and to find a dry location for our late night drinking.

It is quite normal for people to have wonderful memories of some of the things that occur, while they are on vacation. But not one of the people that saw the sun set on that ridgeback whale will ever in their lives be able to forget it.

A gentle giant of the ocean, just by its presence made us all feel a little humble. We may well have the opportunity to see many more romantic sunsets in our lifetimes, but we may never ever get the chance to see a sunset on a ridgeback whale again.

Oh, by the way the place, if you are interested, was Borneo, where else?