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.

Dining in Antigua

The resort we stayed at was an all-inclusive resort meaning that all meals and beverages were included in the package price. The beverage of choice for our family was the virgin pina colada. We also enjoyed the strawberry, mango, passion fruit, and pineapple crushes. These were non-alcoholic fruit drinks. Laurann preferred the lime squash. 

The pineapple crush was my favorite.

(This is me trying to be cool. I don't know what this hand signal means. All the kids these days do it but the boys tell me that I did it all wrong. I guess I am just not as cool as I thought.)

The dress code for dinner was a little different than it was for other meals. The boys and men had to wear collared shirts.  We purchased some new shirts for our boys to wear. I love my boys in Hawaiian shirts!!

Women and girls needed to wear nicer outfits. We often chose to wear a skirt.

Laurann and Vanessa got extra fancy one night.

Breakfast was usually buffet style. They had an omelet station where I fell in love with spinach omelets. I also loves the french toast with coconut and walnuts; butter cinnamon syrup. There was bacon available every day.

We usually ate dinner at the Docksider Restaurant. It was a buffet that had a different type of food each night. We had Italian, Asian, Arabian, and our favorite Antiguan, with local food. It was a nice chance to sample a variety of food and desserts.

For lunch we usually ate at the Rainbow Garden restaurant where we could enjoy the buffet and order off the menu as well. Our favorite thing to order: the St. James burger with pineapple and bacon on it. When Ethan ordered extra ketchup one day, they brought him plenty of ketchup.

One night we chose to dine at the restaurant Piocolo Mundo. It has and extra charge to dine there because it is super fancy. We stopped for a few photos before entering.

The tables were fancy. We dined by candlelight over looking the bay at sunset.

Esteban was more than willing to try seafood at this restaurant trusting it would be well prepared.

Vanessa ordered lobster not knowing it was seafood and was nervous when it was served inside of the exoskeleton.

We spent the entire week never feeling hungry. It was a great opportunity to try new and adventurous food. The food was delicious and one of our happiest memories of the trip.