Tobago Cays, St. Vincent and the Grenadines – October 1992
I lie back on the plank and stare up at the sky. The sailboat gently rocks. It is a maternal, comforting motion, and my eyelids grow heavy. I turn my head to gaze into this sea of liquid emerald, which seems to exist only in this cluster of uninhabited islets. The captain and his wife are snorkeling in the nearby reef. Hans and I went earlier. Nueng doesn’t like the water, so she watched us from the deck. Now they are napping in the V Berth.
When I went below for something to drink, I couldn’t keep myself from peeking in at them. Hans had his massive arm thrown around Nueng. It was a protective, asexual embrace. I forced my curiosity aside. It is none of my business. Not so long ago, on another voyage, I was the subject of such scrutiny. It bothered me so much that I couldn’t fully enjoy the trip. I should have been more like them. They are happy. They are not hurting anyone. That’s all that matters.
Since leaving Grenada three days ago, I’ve relaxed considerably. If any unsavory demands were to be made, they would have happened by now. We have seen Carriacou, Canouan, Union Island, and Palm Island. Places that I never knew existed. Tomorrow we leave for Mustique, and then, in two days, this fairy tale will end. I will return to the late autumn gloom of Michigan. To contemplation of an obscure future while I go through the motions of being alive.
Despair moves through me and then dissipates. Its power is diminished here. I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.
And that is why every moment in the sunshine is precious – tomorrow is tomorrow.
So true.
🙂
Looks like absolute peace!
It was. 🙂
We could do with a bit of your weather here in the UK. All we have is snow and the dreaded sleet. Maybe if I shut my eyes I can imagine your balmy sun.
I’m actually in Budapest, so my weather is similar to yours. This post was about a trip that I took many years ago. 😉
Love the photos, as well as the strong image of the two napping in the V berth.
Thanks, Chris. I kept the editing on those photos to a minimum, so the color of the water looked as accurate as possible. I haven’t seen that color of water since.
Lovely day with just the right amount of angst to make it honest. Thanks.
Thank you. Many of my voyages were propelled by angst.
Did you switch themes? Have a great day.
Yep, I did! I’d been using the other one since September so it was time for a change.
I love all the changes you did with the blog. This images are just beautiful, that blue of the water is just amazing! Love what you wrote and the ending is just perfect.
Hi Doris – Thanks for noticing the changes on my blog. 🙂 Glad you liked the story and my old photos. –Julie
Wow major upgrade from Michigan to Budapest! Did you have a favorite spot in the Caribbean? There are so many islands that seem so similar but hidden gems abound on each of them it seems.
I love Michigan, but I love Europe more. 🙂 My favorite place in the Caribbean is a tiny island called Saba, which I visited in 1998. I haven’t posted about it yet, but I will.
Loos nice and warm there. Too much ice and cold in this world right now.
It’s always nice to conjure memories of the tropics during days like these. 😉
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So pretty!!! I love the sea and the colors here are really drawing me in..
Thank you. 🙂
What a gorgeous location to enjoy nature’s precious gifts.
It is, indeed. 🙂