It was 2 am Tuesday 30th May, 2017. Satee woke me up.
“Manny, yuh know if Sir David Attenborough is in Trinidad?”
“I don’t know honey but he has come before to look at the turtles.”
Just the night before I was looking at ‘Frozen Planet’, one of Attenborough’s wildlife programmes, and I said to myself,
“Will I ever get to meet this man? Time is running out. He is only 91 years old.”
Such reverence I hold for this man, a man considered to be Charles Darwin incarnate, a man with over 15 species named after him, a man who is a National Treasure in Britain. To me, he is the greatest living person.
“Manny I think he is here. My friend, Kriscia, on facebook just said he gave him some milk for his tea.”
I became fully awake.
“You have to be kidding. Message her and ask her if it’s really him and find out where he is staying. We have to go meet him.”
He is a man who has been on TV – well before people owned a TV. Over 60 years he has been working with the BBC to bring the natural world to everyone. I must admit, sometimes I feel like I have to hear his unmistakable voice before I go to sleep – yes his voice is as comforting as the cascade of a waterfall.
“She is not responding Manny.”
“Well message her first thing in the morning.”
At this point, the Mrs. was enthusiastic as I was.
The alphabet seems paltry as he has over 26 letters after his name. Most notably OM, CH, CVO, CBE, FRS, FLS, FZS and FSA. I don’t know what they mean either. Just google it guys. In 2016 a research ship was named after him – the RRS Sir David Attenborough. You guys get the point by now. Sir David is not only brilliant, he is also the most loved person there is.
“Yes Manny he is here to see the turtles.”
“OMG, find out exactly where and we will book a place.”
We booked a place at Acajou Resort in Grande Riviere, not knowing whether or not we would meet this legend.
We loaded up the fielder wagon and headed to the north east coast of Trinidad, a 3 ½ hour drive according to Google Maps.
Stalking you say? No no no, I’m simply taking destiny into my own hands.
We got there about 7pm. There was no one in sight. The place seemed lovely as little huts dotted the compound, just like the Maldives.
Giselle, our receptionist said that Sir David was not staying here. I could not believe my ears.
“However, he should come for breakfast around 8am.”
“Yes!” I said to myself. I have a chance. We went straight to bed.
“Manny! Manny! Look out the window.”
As I looked out the window I saw a giant turtle digging away just the way WASA digs up the main road.
“Let’s go see the turtle,” said the Mrs.
It was around 630 am when we grabbed baby Saivana and headed to the beach. We negotiated our way around the lagoon and in and around the trees. The beach lay just ahead.
My jaw dropped (it really did), as I saw the most amazing sight ever, a sight I have seen before many times on TV and youtube.
There he was lying on the sand next to a leatherback turtle. Cameras were rolling, director was directing and I was disbelieving.
His grey hair shone in the morning sun and he seemed to be having a conversation with the turtle.
It seemed forever, like the length of a Bollywood film before he finished his take and lumbered towards us. At 91 he wasn’t graceful but grace does not make class.
My heart raced like a thousand African drums (my form 1 students never fail to use this simile).
“Good day Sir. I brought the family to meet you, can I please have your autograph?”
“Good day”, he replied.
Yes! Eat your hearts out people, Sir David Attenborough spoke to me. We shook hands too, imagine that.
“Sure”, he said as I pulled out my sharpie marker pen and hallmark card that I had in pocket since I left home.
He bent his head, pressed the card on his upper thigh and signed his name.
“Thank you Sir”, I said, but he was too tired to respond. He ambled away to his hotel and I walked away with the honour of having met the world’s greatest naturalist. We did meet again at breakfast by the way, check out the pics.
Before I go, remember the part where I was with the wife and baby on the beach at 630 am? Well, upon his arrival back to jolly old England, the BBC headline read, “Sir David Attenborough regrets missed family time”. It’s good to know my family and I could inspire a man who has inspired millions across the globe.
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