After four nights of the best sleep I’ve had in years, the fifth night wound up being more eventful than usual. I woke up startled around 4:00am because of a squeaking noise that my bug-phobic mind immediately identified as a massive Bahamian cricket. Since most crickets goals are obviously to lay their cricket eggs in my ear, I was wide awake instantly. After waking both my parents we launched a cricket hunt that involved pulling back the mattress to make sure it wasn’t in the bed and opening the portholes until we discovered that not only was it outside but …it was a bird.

After finishing the night’s sleep by forcing mommy to sleep with me like I was six years old again, we woke up and enjoyed some coffee while mom made biscuits for the marina staff. After stealing a biscuit (butter heaven), I helped them prepare the boat for departure. Then we were off! We motored our way to Rose Island under near perfect conditions – not quite enough wind to sail. The sparkling clear water whistled by as we relaxed in the sun and breeze for the short two-hour trip to our snorkeling destination. Upon arrival, Daddy and I hopped in Poltergeist and rowed over to an expanse of coral heads.

Mom stayed in the boat on shark-watch! Daddy and I explored the bustling fish city below (featured picture). It was beautiful! I’ve never seen colors as vibrant as the blues and yellows of these fish. Just amazing!

We wanted to start heading back before the predicted high winds began, so we made our way back to C Ghost, enjoyed a wonderful lunch of turkey and salami sandwiches on homemade bread, then weighed anchor and headed back. Mommy piloted most of the way back while daddy and I sat at the bow and talked and laughed until the trip was over all too quickly.

Daddy took over piloting after a conversation that went something like “Paula remember there’s a missing marker” “Where?!” “Well it’s missing, so you won’t see it!”. I was incredibly impressed at the well-oiled machine that was my parents docking the boat together. The had the routine down pat. Adroitly navigating around coral heads, shallow waters, other boats, sharp turns, and narrow slips. Even the marina crew applauded their effort from the pier saying “Great job boss-lady!” to my mom at the bow “…and you too little boss-lady” to me while I was sitting there doing nothing, with my mouth hanging open.

We were all hot and salty from the day’s exertions, so we took a dip in the pool and lounged in the sun before heading back to the boat for lots of tasty treats and a curtain-call of leftovers from all the amazing meals my mom has made since I’ve been here. Now brownie and movie time! I’m going to cry the whole way home when I have to leave on Tuesday ☹.