It has been over a year since I was in Tharangambadi (read my earlier posts here) but I still have some great memories of the trip.
One of my most persistent memories was of the fisher-folk who lived along the beach. In the early hours of the morning they would shove off their boats and return sometime mid-morning with whatever they had caught. The fish was then taken to the larger market towns like Karaikal where it would fetch a better price.
I wonder what their lives must be like. Dependent on the benevolence of the sea, each day is uncertain. One day the sea can offer up a fabulous catch while another day a not so good one or maybe the weather will play spoil sport. Incidentally, this stretch of the coast was the main affected area in the 2004 tsunami.
As I stood watching, these hardworking fisherfolk went about their work with single-minded focus. They had to make sure the fish reached the markets as soon as possible, especially on a warm, sunny day. They cheerfully answered my questions but conversing wasn't easy because of the language. In a couple of hours all the fish had been unloaded, sorted and carted away. Just a few men remained behind, tidying the nets for the next day's trip out.
My sojourn in Tranquebar was short but sweet. The tranquil sea and the soporific effect of waves washing against the shore might have enticed me to stay on longer.
Besides the usual sight seeing, it's the little things like watching life go by, listening to the sounds of nature, the physical journey by road or train (by air, not so much!) which makes travelling so much more interesting and enriching. Don't you think?
 |
| Dansborg Fort with the fishing boats on the beach |
One of my most persistent memories was of the fisher-folk who lived along the beach. In the early hours of the morning they would shove off their boats and return sometime mid-morning with whatever they had caught. The fish was then taken to the larger market towns like Karaikal where it would fetch a better price.
I wonder what their lives must be like. Dependent on the benevolence of the sea, each day is uncertain. One day the sea can offer up a fabulous catch while another day a not so good one or maybe the weather will play spoil sport. Incidentally, this stretch of the coast was the main affected area in the 2004 tsunami.
 |
| Old brick walls eroded by the sea or damaged in the tsunami or maybe both |
 |
| A closer view of the boats near the fort |
 |
| Unloading the catch (of fish) from the boat |
 |
| Fish all tangled up, waiting to be sorted |
 |
| Bringing the boat in |
 |
| Fishermen resting and mending the nets in readiness for the next trip |
My sojourn in Tranquebar was short but sweet. The tranquil sea and the soporific effect of waves washing against the shore might have enticed me to stay on longer.
Besides the usual sight seeing, it's the little things like watching life go by, listening to the sounds of nature, the physical journey by road or train (by air, not so much!) which makes travelling so much more interesting and enriching. Don't you think?
 |
| Nature taking back its lost ground |
