A fresh mind and a fresh start, from St Thomas across to the US and British Virgin Islands. Things changed a lot in this second
run of guest trips; I was feeling a lot happier and my chief stew was increasingly pleased with me too. If I wasn’t sure of something I asked to avoid any miscommunication, like the time I was told to 'press' something and I put it through the roller because Americans use the word press for iron!
The week has a few treats in store for me ; one night the first mate managed to grab an octopus straight out of the nighttime sea. I am over the moon to have got up close and personal with something I haven't seen before - a reminder that this is why we do what we do. It's illuminous purple body, decorated with intense white spots moves mesmerizingly through the water when we plop him back in.
run of guest trips; I was feeling a lot happier and my chief stew was increasingly pleased with me too. If I wasn’t sure of something I asked to avoid any miscommunication, like the time I was told to 'press' something and I put it through the roller because Americans use the word press for iron!
The week has a few treats in store for me ; one night the first mate managed to grab an octopus straight out of the nighttime sea. I am over the moon to have got up close and personal with something I haven't seen before - a reminder that this is why we do what we do. It's illuminous purple body, decorated with intense white spots moves mesmerizingly through the water when we plop him back in.
I'm rewarded again when I'm invited to join the guests on their excursion to Devils Bay and the baths in Normans Island. The tender ride unveiled the brightly colored scenery, so perfect that it resembled the freshly painted backdrop of a Broadway show. I literally felt as though I had jumped into the pages of The Treasure Island novel.
We jump off the tender and swim to the entrance, all the other crew show off their somersaults and backflips, the owner with his perfect dive. I am scared, having only jumped into the water a grand total of once. When my turn comes I bomb it so quickly so that no one gets a chance to notice my lack of skill. Water soaks into my lungs and bubbles around each facial orifice; I cough and splutter like a toddler as I begin to wheeze.
One of the deck crew has to piggyback swim one of the guests over, I assumed that he was not a strong swimmer, but it turns out that he was just a bit tired, oh to be a guest on our yacht!
We jump off the tender and swim to the entrance, all the other crew show off their somersaults and backflips, the owner with his perfect dive. I am scared, having only jumped into the water a grand total of once. When my turn comes I bomb it so quickly so that no one gets a chance to notice my lack of skill. Water soaks into my lungs and bubbles around each facial orifice; I cough and splutter like a toddler as I begin to wheeze.
One of the deck crew has to piggyback swim one of the guests over, I assumed that he was not a strong swimmer, but it turns out that he was just a bit tired, oh to be a guest on our yacht!
The baths are a domain of unique geologic formations: incorporating natural tidal pools, tunnels and scenic grottos that are open to the sea. They weren't quite the 'baths' that I had in mind but the gigantic boulders that have you crawling, hiking and and wading through the picturesque trail were a great lead up to tranquil area of water at the end; the ideal place to wallow and bask.
One of the guests gets caught out having a pee, the whole group stares at her as her conspicuous eye movements catch the attention of unknown passers by. My presence in the water seems to act as a catalyst for all manner of beasts to relieve themselves. My wheezy cough has finally subsided and I make the most of the time in the now yellow tinged water.
That time between the boulders is without a doubt my highlight of the week and before we know it changeover day is here. We say goodbye to our first set of guests at 11.30am and frantically vac, polish, scrub, fluff and freshen before welcoming the next at 12.30pm. It is the tightest turnaround that any of our crew have completed. Another week done.
That time between the boulders is without a doubt my highlight of the week and before we know it changeover day is here. We say goodbye to our first set of guests at 11.30am and frantically vac, polish, scrub, fluff and freshen before welcoming the next at 12.30pm. It is the tightest turnaround that any of our crew have completed. Another week done.