Hello all. Apologies for the sporadic nature of my posts. I could tell you it was due to lack of internet connectivity but in all honesty I have been busy enjoying my time rather than sitting and writing about it. And now I find myself in the executive lounge at Barbados airport with half an hour to spare, I have time to update.
Yesterday I left the Windsurf. The yacht had been my surrogate home for the last four and a half weeks and it was harder than I imagined bidding farewell to the friends and colleagues I had come to know and respect over the past month. It has certainly been a rollercoaster ride for me... no two days the same, no two shows even comparible but amidst the tears and hugs my departure signified the beginning of the end of my epic caribbean adventure, and the final challenge of six weeks of highs and lows??? .my tranship to the Celebrity Millenium ship this morning in San Juan.
I stayed in a lovely hotel last night in Rockley Barbados and used my ttime there to reflect on the last contract and consider the next (also to dye my hair which has turned out rather disastrously and must be ammended immediately upon my arrival onboard.. sore subject.. wont mention that again)
The ship I join today is the opposite end of the cruising scale to the last. Its a large vessel with a seven piece orchestra. I think it carries almost 2000 passengers in comparison to the mere 300 onboard the Windsurf. I do like the smaller ships, after working for Windstar and Silversea, I am rather fond of the personability and intimacy they lend to my experience. However, the draw of the big band and the possibility of working in the theatre excites me and motivates me and I am equally looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into the fresh challenge.
Inevitably getting on a new ship for a new company I have never worked for before is daunting. I know no one. I am a solo female traveller. It can be intimidating to say the least especially after the veritable family welcome of the less grandios vessels. But I am only six sleeps from home now... and a fresh challenge awaits me... so I must try to remain positive. I am hoping to meet up with two very good friends at the weekend as our ships dock together in Barbados before I fly home Saturday so I am looking forward to that immensely. Unfortunately I miss them by one day in two other ports this week which is unfortunate but the pair of them are a terrible influence on me (pie and beer related debauchery) so maybe its a blessing in disguise. haha.
Some of the highlights of my time onboard Windsurf? Well there are far too many to include them all. But I feel I've learnt a lot. Not factually, but probably more about myself. I'm stronger and weaker than I think I am... (free wine being my downfall I'm afraid) but I have managed to pull myself together on several occasions when I've been struggling with missing my husband and family by keeping my eyes on the prize and surrounding myself with the loveliness of others.
There are some experiences this contract that will stay with me forever, hiking over the hill to the desserted beach in Mayreau, the fabulous day out in Grenada, the rum soaked Catamaran tour and my time on Tobago Cays beach. The valentines party and the farewell Ladies Night party in the crew bar dancing with virtually every crew member at one juncture or another, Chicken Roti on pigeon Island, the crazy Tobin James wine cruise passengers, the fantastic lunch in St Barths, the zodiac trip to the Windspirit to do one of the most enjoyable shows I've ever performed... and last but by no means least, falling on my backside, well actually flat out on my back in the middle of talking to the audience in my show and spending the rest of the week telling everyone I was ok and that all I'd hurt was my pride. (I have fallen over no fewer than 5 times this contract)
But the journey is not yet complete... there are new friends yet to make, new destinations to visit,a suntan to perfect and a gymnasium to reaquaint myself with (mmm that bit's not been going too well....) Then, I have a husband to squeeze very hard, a family to thank for being so solid for me everytime I've wobbled, a brother to tease over turning 30 and a godaughter to cuddle... and less than a week later... another adventure to embark upon. But for now, thankyou to the crew and passengers of the Windsurf, for the fabulous memories and hours of laughter I'll remember for a very long time to come. xxxxxxx
