Oy. What a rough start to get here. Enhanced by my mood of no sleep in like 36 hours (25 since leaving Dulles, which was at 9pm and I had been up since about 7:30am with the dog).
I didn't really know what to expect in terms of the airport. I was expecting a tiny little island airport but we had a huge plane and flight and I knew there were others so the airport had to be big enough to accommodate, so maybe I should be expecting a larger international airport? It was the former. We landed, disembarked, and boarded the bus to take us to the terminal. I was proud of my balance as the bus turned, although there was an empty seat near me if I needed it. At the terminal, you're immediately at passport control. Ran into some minor issues here that I'm not going to get into on my blog. Made it through. Luggage took forever - I think that's the slowest and smallest carousel I've seen. But carts were free so thankfully I didn't have to carry my four bags.
My confirmation email said the resort I'm at for the night before my liveaboard has their own counter. Still, I look around at the loads of people with signs in case any have my name or resort. Tomorrow they will have a sign for me. Today I go to the counter and the guy says he will show me where I can wait because we are still waiting on two more. He is in a teal blue shirt and it seems everyone else but a few are in white shirts but that's all I recognize of him. When I get outside I take off my sweatshirt, switch my glasses for sunglasses, and put my hair up. I worry we will not be able to recognize each other so I watch for Summer Island Resort luggage tags on every couple that comes past me. But I worry for nothing as he quickly finds me when it's time to go.
We take a boat to get to the resort. The water is very rough and the window covers are all on because the sea spray is so high from the rough seas. The ride is 45 minutes. I have a hard time staying awake.
Based upon the fancy luggage tags (that are actually very useful and not very fancy at all in terms of functionality) and the guys on the boat are wearing the same white shirts we used to wear, I am expecting Sandals quality resort, with at least a fresh cloth and welcome drink. While the walk up to the reception was a bit rustic, my fresh cloth and welcome drink were waiting for me right on cue. They also have WiFi throughout the resort which is v swanky and there are different all inclusive (half or full) packages I could have purchased to make meals and drinks free (or a la carte). They also have free daily snorkeling excursions (that you have to sign up for at least 1 day in advance, boo), a dive center, bars, restaurants, a pool, gym, beaches (duh), watersports, and excursions - some included, some not. How fun!
My flight landed at about 7am. By about 10am, I was already in my over the water bungalow room. The weather is not great. It hasn't started to rain yet but the water is angry. The current is a bit strong; there are actual waves; water keeps slapping my steps so hard I think someone is coming up them. It is much, much louder than I would have thought. I'm so tired. I'm sure I will sleep fine tho. (Hey, now it's raining.)
Because I got here so early and the water isn't ideal, it's still several hours before dinner (my dinner and breakfast are included), and I've already done so much. When I got here, I took some walk thru videos for the TikTok (give me a follow if you're on there - @mermaidtasha). Then I put on my cute new bikini and set up my tripod to test it. It's great and so much fun! But the neighbors were laughing at me. I will never see them again so it doesn't matter but I only took a few then put it away in hopes they'll be gone to bed or dinner later. I went to go snorkeling but could not record my first in water entrance from the bungalow steps because my GoPro batteries were not properly charged. Good thing because although I knew them to be slippery, they were even more slippery than I thought and I fell and it did hurt. At this time the current had picked up so everyone had gotten out already. I saw a crab on the steps and several fish by the pillars under the bungalow. I decided I should refresh my memory of what different types of triggerfish look like before getting closer to them to avoid another attack. I didn't wear my fins and the surge kept pushing me into the steps so after a little bit I got out and sunbathed on the loungers. Okay, truthfully I attempted a nap (with timer set!0 but alas I cannot sleep when the sun is out. So I took a jetted bath in the jacuzzi tub with the windows open overlooking the water.
Oh wait! Just that quick I had forgot! Before the bath, I took the rescue ring and floated on it like an innertube until the rope holding it to my steps broke. I must have started a trend because after my bath both bungalows next to me were doing the same. I plan on getting back in to do that as well later on. Now I am writing out my blog and laying on the loungers (although the sun is gone).
I think it would be very cool to watch a storm from my bungalow deck. Not one that takes my entire time or happens when I'm asleep but maybe just an hour or two before/after dinner. What a unique experience! I also plan on waking up to watch the sunrise tomorrow as my bungalow is lucky enough to face East. Then I can make the absolute most of my ~ day ~ here until the transfer back to the airport where I'll meet the ScubaSpa gang.
There's loads *to* do but also nothing to do and I'm very excited to be on vacation. Happy relaxing.
xoxo,
Tasha
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