High Seas, Duex

Spent today (well, most of today) on St. Bart's, a small and somewhat vertical Francophone island populated by quite wealthy folk. We "tendered" to shore, which means that 60 or so people at a time take a small boat, like a ferry only faster. Then our group of 15 walked a few yards down the dock to our catamaran (which I now know is a double-hulled sailboat, the one that has "trampoline" canvas decks slung in the bow between the hulls. You know, those boats that look like they are riding on two parallel cigars.) Our captain was a faux-fierce French type, ably assisted by his 6-year-old son ("his name is Sailor") and wife Anique. (That's how I'm spelling it, and I'm sticking to it.)  All were tanned and friendly and helpful. We sailed around the end of the island to a beach -- I'm blanking on the name -- and anchored; then almost everyone snorkeled for about an hour. Then we lounged in the sun and sailed back to  port. 

This is possibly the most perfect experience I've ever had on a December day. Baby-blue skies, puffy clouds, turquoise water, gleaming white sand.... Violet, green and tiger-striped fishes below us. Silence, except for a few splashes and that Darth Vader breathing sound that you get in from the snorkel. Not to mention that our captain offered me his personal "noodle" when I asked for one 

Lunch in a bistro across from the docks ("la salade de poulet avec exotic fruits"), and tendering back to the ship. My skin is glowing with a faint sunburn, and the salt is washed off. Oh it was lovely.

I did take a bunch of pictures today, but Bibb uploaded them to his computer and I'll have to get them. (Don't try to "share" anything electronic with this man.)

We've met a few blowhards and spoiled travelers, folks who seem to have a hard time putting up with any inconvenience or discomfort, but have met many more nice folks. Our assigned seating for the four "formal" dinners put us with a sister and brother from Canada; he's still there, and she now lives in Louisville, KY. We also met (over dinner tonight) a woman who's just starting her EDD in elementary special ed.  Bob the piano guy. The Jennifers.  Couple having a long vacation before his knee surgery makes them immobile for a bit.