I cannot believe the place where we are right now. It’s just unbelievable. Right now we’re lying downstairs on the little “daybed” of our unit. We have screen windows all around us. We’re snuggled together like two peas in a peapod, and on all sides we have a view of the stars with a nice breeze coming through to cool us down and tickle our sunburnt skin. It’s the perfect ending to a perfect day.
The morning sun cast a new light on the island, new colors, new shadows, new Mongooses? We started the day a little slow, lazy from the travels from the day before and still adjusting our eyes to the morning sun. After tea and oatmeal, we headed over to the store here at Maho Concordia to see what they had. There we met Patty, the very nice store manager, local expert on island trails, and leader of island hermit crab races. She sold us an excellent trail map and gave us all the insider tips on which route to take for less uphill hiking.
Then we were off down the small trail next to the Lobby that led us on a winding path past some old plantation ruins and down to Salt Pond Bay.
The beach was beautiful but a little crowded. So we continued walking on around the bay over to one side until we finally found a private tucked away cove to leave our things. From there we launched off on our very own little snorkel trip. We saw so many fabulous fish, but the highlight was when we came across a small school of squid. Edmundo was ecstatic. They were just the cutest little creatures. So cool. I looked back feeling a hint of guilt for eating them a couple years ago in Sevilla. The school was squishing their way past some rocks out at the top of the bay. The rocks were almost keys, but I think they were still too small to be considered such.
The snorkel trip was amazing, but it was quite cute when Edmundo thought that he had to teach me how to snorkel. That means that he knows enough that I don’t have to teach him! It also means that he enjoys it so much to have learned it on his own. I just love having so many interests in common. And it seems like we are still finding out these little surprises about each other at every corner we round together in life.
When we finished our snorkel we hiked back to our lodge to shower/hose off. The water was cold but refreshing. We both noticed that the view from the shower was what most wealthy people put on their flat screens to make their bathroom appear more elegant. Flat screen, schmat screen. HA!
After showering, we took the most outstanding nap. When our stomachs began to growl, we arose like lazy hibernating bears in search of food. We knew it was about time to make our way into town to buy gas and food for the week. So we loaded up our car and cart, and prepared the most terrific meal: garlic seared Mahi Mahi, sun dried tomato rice topped with fried plantains, and to drink, the local beverage R&R. In my opinion, it was even better than last night’s dinner by the bay at Miss Lucy’s. Plus we had dessert with this meal, brought all the way from the U.S. at Edgie’s request, No-Bake-Reese’s Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bars. Edgie took the liberty of garnishing our dessert with fresh peanuts.
Oh what an amazing day. But of course, now here we are exhausted at 9:30, ready for bed so we can wake up for another incredible adventure tomorrow.
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La Version de Edmundo:
Dia 2- 16/04/10
Dia 2- 16/04/10
Cuando despertamos el show comenzó, no lo podíamos creer, el mar y el cielo llenaban todo el paisaje, era simplemente perfecto. Caminamos para ir a nadar en el arrecife.
Caminamos y caminamos por una vereda, hasta que encontramos una plantación, nos detuvimos y tome fotos. Luego seguimos el camino a Salt Pond Bay donde nadamos alrededor del arrecife, la corriente era fuerte en las esquinas. En la roca más alejada encontramos una cueva que divide ambos espacios, era grande, con muchos peces e imponente, con personalidad.
Más tarde salimos a Cruz Bay a cargar gasolina, solo hay una en toda la isla que monopoliza todo el lugar. De regreso manejando me sentí mas cómodo con los caminos angostos de la isla. Cuando llegamos preparamos una cena increíble, pescado mahi mahi, con ajo y especias, arroz salvaje con plátano macho y un postre que sabia a gloria. Todo esto con ron Cruzan y root beer, sabe muy bien. Lo que fue un lujo fue ir a conseguir hielo, en definitiva la bebida sabe mejor así.
Después de eso adaptamos una cama para recostarnos mirando las estrellas, que maravilla estar con Abra y ahora puedo saber que es compartir la felicidad, y como en “Into the Wild” la felicidad no existe si no se comparte. Es cierto, pero cuando la compartes solo tienes que respirar profundo y sostener el aliento, para imprimir el recuerdo.
Edmundo's Journal translated:
Day 2-
When we awoke the show commenced, we couldn’t believe it, the sea and the sky filled the landscape, it was simply perfect. We hiked to go swimming at the reef.
We walked and walked down the path, until we came upon an old plantation, we hung out there a while and I took pictures. Later we continued the hike to Salt Pond Bay where we swam all around the reef; the current was strong along the edges. In the rock farthest away we found a cave that divides both spaces, it was big, with many fish and impressive, with personality.
Later we left for Cruz Bay to fill up our gas; there is only one gas station in the whole island that monopolizes all the area. As I was driving home I felt more comfortable with the narrow roads of the island. When we got back we prepared an incredible Mahi Mahi fish, with garlic and spices, wild rice with plantain and a dessert that tasted like glory. All of this with Cruzan rum and Root Beer, it tasted very good. The luxury was that we found ice, and the drink definitely tasted better with ice.
After that we made a bed where we could relax and watch the stars, how wonderful to be with Abra, and now I know what it is to share happiness, and like in “Into the Wild” happiness doesn’t exist if you don’t share it. It’s true, but when you share it you just have to breathe deep and hold your breath, to imprint the memory.
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