Adventures of a Tribe

A whole new world

Posted on October 31, 2015

The past couple of days have been a blast and a half, as we have showed Skyler and Mommy more our favorite places and activities.

Yesterday morning we got our morning exercise in by walking the usual 3 mile loop.

Along the path is a large tree whose trunk has many vines wrapped around it…

Every time I pass it, the scripture comes to mind that talks about Christ loosening the bands of death, and I instantly think of Jan and Daddy. I think of how cancer bound their bodies down, and now they are free from those restricting and painful bands, and I am filled with gratitude.

When we returned from our walk, we worked on some things on Tanda Malaika, and then set off for Starfish Beach. I made up a killer pasta salad for everyone for lunch as excitedly made our way West.

Danny set up the hammock and both he and Mommy tried it out, and I got some iced tea brewing, which is so refreshing in this tropical sun. We tried making it with rooibos, which is a caffeine free tea I grew up drinking in South Africa. Try it if you haven’t, it’s jolly good.

While underway, beautiful Mycah settled into the hammock with a good book, Aidan was full of cuteness as usual, and Emma took the helm (and she’s the cuteness at that job too!).

Jude, Aidan and Skyler made their way up into the sail bag and watched for pirates, but unfortunately didn’t find any. We hoped to pillage their goods and give them what for.

Being out at sea is such a peaceful, freeing feeling. When it’s just nature that surrounds me, with nothing man made in sight, I am happiest. The ocean was so calm, and the air was still, so we motored our way rather than sailing.

I took my place on the trampoline and relaxed, and after a while Danny did too – with a sucker in hand of course.

When we reached Starfish beach we dropped anchor and immediately broke out the stand up paddle boards and fired up the scuba compressor.

Mommy and Skyler got to try paddle boarding and scuba for the first time. I was so proud of my mom, because she is afraid of the water and not only did she use a mask for the first time, but she allowed me to put my scuba gear on her and swim by her side as she dove on scuba gear. Both Skyler and Mommy did beautifully. Danny and I dove and it felt so good to be in the water. I figured I’d wash my stitches off with soap and water when I was done and call it good. No more staying out of the water for this girl!

Jude bought herself a GoPro camera while in Idaho, so all the water shots on today’s blog are from her.

When Mycah dove down to check on the anchor, she got stung by a jellyfish. It’s tentacles wrapped all around her calf and up the back of thigh a little. The picture does it no justice.

She has large welts up and down her leg. Danny offered to pee on it but she politely declined, and opted for vinegar. That didn’t help either, so Emma tried lime juice, which only made it itchy. Finally Emma mixed up baking soda and salt water and smeared that all over the sting, and Mycah felt instant relief.

We spent the night at Starfish beach, and loved our time playing in the water once again today. Finally we decided it was time to set sail, as the breeze changed to a light wind, and in the distance we could see the wind line with white caps beyond it. The sky was darkening too, so we raised the anchor, and set the sails, and silently moved through the water.

Mycah and Emma did the happy dance as we sailed along and Mommy sat on her perch at the bow.

Once reaching Bocas we dropped anchor once more and made our way into town to provision a little and grab an early dinner. Our outboard engine for the dinghy was supposed to be in today, but Danny was told to come back tomorrow..which could mean the tomorrow after Wednesday of next week!

Mommy took the helm for a bit as Danny guided her, and somehow she managed to make Tanda Malaika zigzag back and forth across the water, like a drunken sailor was at the helm.

I love to watch the creatures all talking softly together, laughing and enjoying the beauty that surrounds them as we sail. It brings me so much joy.

As we approached Red Frog Marina, I looked back off the stern at the tranquil scene behind, and was filled with so much gratitude for life. For the exquisite world we live in and for the opportunities we have to be a part of it. Mommy thanked me for showing her a whole new world. I love sharing it with her and watching her embrace it too.