The "Family Affair" Story

It was an ordinary day. Sitting sideways in the middle of the back seat of an extremely small car, on my way with my wife, Carol, and friends Jerry and Just Sue, to the waterfront docks in Bridgetown, Barbados. Our driver is the beautiful Sharon who we find out will be one of our crew members for the evening. Going on a sunset cocktail cruise on the west coast of the island. The cost of the cruise included pick-up at your hotel or condo, but didn't tell us we would be shoe-horned into the vehicle during our drive through heavy traffic on a road that needed repairs years ago. But, we eventually made it to our destination, the "Ocean Mist" which is a 60 foot power catamaran. We found out about the "Ocean Mist" from a flyer we picked up at a store near our condo. They described our evening as: "Experience our sunset cruise, swim and snorkel with the sea turtles and tropical fish, enjoy our evening buffet with cocktails, and take in the picturesque beauty of a Barbados sunset while you relax ondeck." Three years ago we visited Barbados and took a cruise on the Tiami, a similar boat. I had emailed the Tiami asking for information, but never got a response. Wow, where we lucky they never responded! We ended up having the best evening of our vacation!! And, there were only the four of us and a young couple from Trinidad on the boat which could hold 60 passengers. We first met the crew, Shawn (native of Vermont) and Sharon (our driver) who were husband and wife and their sons Jack and Jordan as well as the boat's captain Brian. We're given information about the life jackets and safety features of the boat and off we went to our first destination, snorkeling over a shallow shipwreck and reef. 15 year-old Jack and 10 year-old Jordan directed us while in the water and supplied a life preserver if needed. The two boys swim as if they are fish, diving down to past through passageways on the sunken ship and coming out windows on the other side. All this with only a snorkel. I WAS IMPRESSED! Next stop, swimming with the turtles. Jack was first in the water again and searched for the huge green sea turtles. He enticed one with food to our boat so we could all swim with him. The turtle looked to be about three foot across and at least four foot long, but so graceful as he maneuvered around us, looking for food. Most of my photos I took were of different parts of his body, since he was so close to me. Actually kept bumping and rubbing against me. Truly "swimming with the turtles". We then headed north, up the western coast, and took in a fantastic sunset as we motored slowly along. Shortly after sunset we anchored off the coast and Shawn put supper on the gas grill on the rear deck. Dolphin fish, BBQ chicken, rice, salad, the whole works. Then he told us he just started this new adventure in early September. Before that he ran a restaurant for a few years. Knew right then that we were in for a great meal, and he didn't disappoint. Great meal, drinks and conversation as we watched the sky darken and the lights of Barbados come alive. We arrived back at the dock about 7:30 PM and said our farewells to the crew and Sharon returned us to our home away from home. Later that evening, as we reflected about our cruise, we all agreed that it was probably one of the best evenings we have had while vacationing in the Caribbean. It truly seemed like a "Family Affair" and we were part of the family for a few hours. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Photo of the 60 foot Ocean Mist.

Introduction of the crew of the Ocean Mist. Jack, Shawn, Brian and Sharon.

West coast of Barbados from the Ocean Mist.

Ship wreck we got to explore.

Jack, feeding the green turtle. What a brave guy!

Shot of the green turtle as he approaches me. Smilin' at me.

Carol searching for the sea turtles.

My wife's a sweetheart! She actually took a photo of me I like.

Jordan sharing his book on diving with me.

Carol and I enjoying the ride.

Another Barbados sunset.

Jordan doing his unique dives for me!