Sail Away

We chartered a private boat for the last full day that we had on the island. We were all excited as we headed out on the dock.

Our captain was named Joseph and his first mate was named Xavi. Let me first tell you what it is like to travel with Laurann in Antigua. She is blonde, beautiful, and single. Every man she talked to wanted to be her boyfriend. One taxi driver actually told her, “You should find yourself a black man and stay on the island. “  Xavi wanted to be her boyfriend even if it was just for the afternoon. If you ever want to send either Laurann or I into a fit of giggles just say the name Xavi. It brings a smile to my face every time I think of him.

Joseph and Xavi even let Laurann steer the boat for a while. I think Xavi (the one in the hat) would have let her do anything she wanted to do.

Anyway, the boat ride took us around the south end of the island. Here are some of the sites.

Eric Clapton’s house.

The fort where Captain Nelson kept the British fleet protecting the West Indies from pirates.

This is the colonial Admiral’s Inn. It is next to one of the original docks where they would anchor a ship.

We stopped the boat near the pillars of Hercules where we went on another snorkeling expedition.

This time I was less nervous and simply enjoyed snorkeling with my family. The snorkeling was not as good as the day before but still a great experience.

Xavi fed the fish. We enjoyed seeing the schools of fish surround him.

We then visited Billion Dollar Bay. Where the boats are collectively worth billions.

We stopped just before leaving the Bay and set anchor. We each took turns jumping off the boat into the bay. We were not too far from the beach and swam over to the beach for a while.

(one of my favorite photos of the trip)

On our way back Vanessa spotted a starfish that Aaron dove down and picked up for her. She was so excited to find her own live starfish. She named him Patrick.

Such an interesting creature.

Anyway, as Xavi helped Laurann back on the boat I almost drowned because I was laughing so hard. He was so protective of her. I could have fallen completely off the boat and he would not have cared but he was very careful with her.

They brought out sandwiches, banana bread, fried chicken, and fried mahi mahi. The food was delicious! They were a bit confused why we only drank soda and none of the alcohol they offered. We proved to them that don’t need alcohol to have a good time.

We could see  the island of Monserrat off in the distance. That smoke is from an active volcano on the island.

For me the best part of the trip was just hanging out on the boat together.

They had the music blaring and although some of the music was more explicit than we normally listen to, there are songs that will always remind me of this trip. There are songs that when I hear them on the radio to this day, they take me back to this moment. I can feel the sunshine on my skin and the ocean breeze on my face.

There were two seats out on the front of the boat that we took turns sitting in.

As we headed back to the resort I had the chance to sit out on the bow of the boat in one of these chairs. I sat there for a moment soaking it all in. I wanted to stay there forever. To pause time. To make that moment last just a bit longer. I knew I could not stay. I knew we had to return home. I knew we had to go home where Aaron is busy with work and his new calling as Bishop. I knew Esteban’s mission call was setting home on the table. I knew I had to help my oldest son graduate high school. I had to help him leave home to an unknown land. I knew I had to go home and get kids to school and pick them up from track practice. Make sure they had their homework done. Get them to lacrosse and  softball practice and piano lessons. I wanted to stay. I wanted to sail away and live in Paradise. As I sat there feeling the ocean breeze on my face and as tears rolled down my cheeks, I knew that Paradise is not a place, it is a feeling. I love my family, even and especially on the really crazy and hectic days. Vacations are always nice and I so enjoyed relaxing but I knew it was time for the vacation to end. It was time to return to reality and all that our "new" reality brought with it. I am grateful for this chance to stop for a  moment to soak of the sun literally and figuratively. I knew it was to return home and face all that laid before us and I was ok with that. I can find Paradise wherever I am.