I have just returned from a lengthy 25th anniversary cruise, encompassing almost two weeks out of the country. The majority of it was spent sailing through an archipelago off the coast of Grenada. A few “coincidences” to share regarding my anniversary date is that it falls on April Fools’ Day and everyone has forgotten to tell my wife what a “lucky woman” she is. Must be an oversight. So I made some mental notes (obviously brief ones) about what I learned along the way.
So here they are, like everything in my brain… in random order.
• A sailing vessel of 236 feet is a ship, not a boat. Sorry, Captain Bernard. Of course after making that mistake numerous times to antagonize our good-natured (had to be) captain, when asked how everything was, I replied, it was “Boat shape, Captain.” Well… it was funny then.
• Enter the water carefully when wearing snorkeling gear.
• No one looks cool walking in fins.
• West Indian hot sauces are really spicy. Really.
• Don’t prejudge. We had an authentic motorcycle gang member/entrepreneur on board. He could not have been any nicer.
• See above, I would want said motorcycle gang rider on my side in a bar fight.
• When the West Indian bartender replies that he won’t tell you what is in his “special” rum drink, perhaps you should ask again.
• Island time is not a misnomer. Slow down… your beverage will eventually get to you.
• In tiny island populations, the natives will treat you every bit as politely as you treat them.
• I’m pretty sure the Pizza Hut on the island of Bequia is not part of the international chain.
• If you truly want to see a little bit of everything, then spend a 9.5-hour layover at the Miami International Airport.
• I am fairly sure that “Motion,” the launch driver who dispensed medical advice, is not a real medical doctor.
• On Grenada, our stretch of beach was being worked by “Wheelin’ Dealin’.” I’m pretty sure he could and would negotiate any world crisis — for a fee, of course.
• We witnessed and heard a very long Pentecostal baptism on the beach. I watched and heard the wonderful gospel music from my beach chair.
• My buddy Larry doesn’t sound any better singing and playing the guitar in the open air on a ship than he does here, even with the free rum swizzles.
• The rum drink “Painkiller” is accurately named.
• No Wi-Fi is awesome.
By now, no doubt, I have inspired you to learn to… turn the page.
As always, I look forward to hearing from you. I will get back to you on island time.
Todd A. Tucker
Publisher