The light shimmers on water, the cunning coral keeps it blue.
Looking through a map of the Antilles, you see how time has trapped its humble servants here.”
~ Edward Kamau Brathwaite

There’s something to be said for a brief escape to a tropical climate when home is still firmly in winter’s grip.

As I mentioned in my last post, Luke’s choice for a special celebration for his upcoming high school graduation was a cruise to the eastern Caribbean.

When one thinks of cruises, images of glow parties, 80’s night, masses of people crowded around pools and hot tubs in the hot sun with cocktails in hand, crowded bars, and chaotic buffets often come to mind. And the buffet is truly out of control! Seriously, you’d think some of these people had never seen food before.

That crowded chaos is actually not my scene at all. I’m a quiet person who prefers calm spaces — places where I can watch and notice things, and try to feel a little stillness.

But the great thing about cruise ships, is that these floating cities are big enough to avoid most of that noise and drunken chaos. There are always quiet corners to find: a somewhat secluded deck chair or lounge area where you can watch the waves roll past the ship, listen to the ocean rushing along the hull, read a book, or scroll through the latest pictures you took on the last island. You also get some pretty impressive sunsets at sea.

It’s actually pretty exciting to wake up in the morning and discover that you’ve arrived somewhere new overnight while the gentle rocking of the ship lulled you to sleep.

Opening the curtain and stepping out onto the balcony to find a new island spread out before you is always a delight. I love to travel and see different places — something I wish I had the opportunity to do more often. My list of places I’d love to visit is quite long.

Even a day at sea has its own peaceful rhythm. Watching the early morning light sparkle across the blue ocean stretching in every direction, sitting in the quiet of my balcony — watching the sea roll by, and feeling the crunchy salt crystals on the balcony rail left there overnight by ocean spray, makes my soul smile.

Our cruise includes ports in the Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.

Luke and I were lucky enough to have beautiful sunny, warm days with light breezes and impossibly clear turquoise water on St. John, USVI and Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands.

We spent a lot of time wandering the beaches of Trunk Bay in Virgin Islands National Park on St. John and White Bay on Jost Van Dyke, looking for shells and bits of coral. We got a little sunburned — despite the SPF 1,000,000 I generously globbed on — and spent plenty of time swimming, floating in the water and relaxing under coconut palms. Fun Fact: Did you know that you are more likely to be killed by a falling coconut than a shark attack?

The Virgin Islands have their own rules and laid-back vibes. Early yesterday morning we were on a catamaran headed from our port in Tortola to spend the day at nearby Jost Van Dyke.

The crew poured everyone — including my 17-year-old Luke — what we thought was a small cup of tropical fruit punch, heavy on the guava and passion fruit juices and, as it turned out, also heavily laced with rum. Because it’s 7:30 in the morning in the Caribbean and that’s just how it goes I guess!

Once we reached the island, most of our group headed to the Soggy Dollar Bar for their world famous Pain Killers. I guess I’m boring because I opted for an iced coffee — sans rum.

I’m incredibly lucky. Luke is both my kid and, as he’s grown almost to adulthood, he’s also become my friend. We can happily travel together, hang out, be silly, and have fun adventures.

I’ll miss him terribly when he’s away at school next year. But I know he’ll come home once in a while and still want to spend time with his old mom.

If you enjoyed this and would like to see more, check out my Stories page here.