Phu Quy Island - a small island in the middle of the ocean, famous for its beautiful scenery, is also the place that holds many stories full of energy of fishermen clinging to the sea.
Are you ready for a journey starting from dawn to late at night with the people here? Let's follow MLifeOn to explore Phu Quy and the lives of fishermen at the forefront of the wind and waves.
Boats heading out to sea
I had the opportunity to visit Phu Quy Island on an early summer day, when the first rays of sunlight had just shone down on the sea. The dawn on the island was not only beautiful, but also full of life, because that was when the boats stretched out to sea.
Walking along the small port, I saw each boat carefully prepared, the fishing nets ready, the fishermen busily checking the engines, constantly exchanging with each other about the weather forecast and the direction of travel. The atmosphere was hurried but full of excitement, because on each trip, they carried with them the hope of a bountiful catch of fish at the end of the day.
Whoever goes to sea doesn't hope for clear skies, calm seas - smooth sailing until they return.
Along the shore of Phu Quy Island, many boats are anchored
Watching the group of fishermen step onto the boat, carrying with them excitement. I suddenly felt a very strange feeling rising within me - the feeling of someone seeing a family member preparing to join a distant voyage. When the ship leaves the dock, the swaying shape of the ship on the waves, the tension on the young fisherman's face as he tries his best to raise anchor, along with the sound of the sea breeze and the heat of the sun, ... all make me begin to understand somewhat the challenges in the lives of fishermen here.
Going out to sea means betting on the weather, the outcome of which is a win or a loss, cannot be known at the beginning of the bet.
When fishermen go out to sea, they have to face the waves and wind, the ever-changing weather of the sea and islands
The sea keepers of Phu Quy Island
Not only is it a job to make a living, Phu Quy fishermen are also the ones who keep the sea, protecting the sacred sea of their homeland. Their work does not stop at catching fish, but they also have to face many challenges: From sudden storms, long trips at sea, to times when there are few fish, unstable income.
Standing between the choice of going or staying with the profession, facing the economic pressure of storms and floods, why do they still choose to stay?
Observing them, I saw the patience and meticulousness of the fishermen: Each net was carefully untangled, each buoy was adjusted to the right position, every operation was precise to the smallest detail. There was no school to train them on how to go to sea safely, all of it was experience passed down or gained by themselves. They got used to the sea, considered the sea as a fickle friend and learned how to protect themselves from the smallest changes, as well as the potential dangers from those changes. Typically, just by listening to the sound of the waves, looking at the water surface, the fishermen could guess where there were fish, where to avoid because the sea was deep and had whirlpools.
It can be seen that fishing is not only a profession, but also an instinct of the fishermen here. Going to sea is not only a job, but also a journey to immerse themselves in nature, living with the sea, understanding every tide and every wind.
Stories told at the end of the day
One of the most beautiful moments in Phu Quy Island is when the boats dock after a long day at sea. I stood at the port, watching each boat arrive one by one. On each boat were sunburned faces, fatigue could be seen on their faces, but their eyes sparkled with joy, relief when seeing the shore, seeing the place where familiar people live.
When the ships return, the fishermen return to their families
The sea is fickle, today is calm, the waves are calm, it does not mean that tomorrow, the day after tomorrow the sea and the weather will treat people the same. So besides the trips full of fish and shrimp, there are also days when the fishing nets are pulled up lightly, the last catch of fish of the day is much smaller. However, no one complains, they just quietly pull themselves together, preparing for tomorrow's sea voyage. Because more or less, the days at sea are better than when the storm comes, the boats are docked for months, at those times they only know how to miss the sea, miss the catches of shrimp and fish, miss the economic joy for their brothers and families.
Coming to Phu Quy Island as a tourist, after days living with the people here, I feel like I have become a part of this place, feeling that I understand more about the spirit of the sea and islands.
Phu Quy Island is not only a destination, but also a place that preserves the story of people, of resilience and passion.
Every day at sea is a day of challenge with the sea, but also a day of being immersed in nature, to see that people, though small, still persevere to keep the sea as an indispensable part of life.
Conclusion
Phu Quy Island not only has blue sea and beautiful scenery, but also has simple but strong people, who protect the sea every day, living with the ocean. If you have the opportunity to come here, try going out to sea once, watching the boats leave the dock at dawn, and listening to the stories when the ships dock in the late afternoon. Surely, those will be unforgettable moments, making you love the sea, love people and appreciate the values of life more.
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Kien Trang
- Content: Giang Huynh
- Design: Phuong Nguyen
