A Week In St. Lucia

The Boat Ride

   After eating our breakfast, Tuan, our mom and I just sat at our table. When my mom and Tuan are not having a conversation about anything, he would check something on his phone while my mom just sits and looked around. I decided to do the same thing by looking around the restaurant, then the entire sandy beach, which is right next to the place. Not long, one waitress came to see that we finished our meal and collected our plates. Then a minute later, Sandie and Sebastien came up to us.

"Hi guys!" Sandie said, waving.

"Hi Sandie, hi Sebastien! Good morning!" my mom smiled as she greeted them.

"Morning!" Sebastien greeted us. "How was breakfast? Did you guys eat yet?"

"Yeah, we did," my brother and I said at once. "It was good."

"Mom, Sebastien and I want to sign us all up to go on a little boat." Sandie told her. "We would like to go today."

A ride on a little boat? That doesn't sound too bad! I thought back to a time where my family and I, excluding Tuan, who didn't go with us back then, went on a different boat during our vacation in one of the Spanish-speaking countries. We were in a tour, away from our resort for the whole day, looking at different places. Going back by boat after it was finished, took us an hour long. Now today, we're doing it again!

"Who is going?" my mom asked.

Sandie gestured me, Tuan, Sebastien, herself and then my mom. "Us, Yvan, Elisabeth, Vicky, Vince, dad, my friends Cynthia and Nate, and other people are going." Then she noticed someone missing. "Where is Tina?"

"She's still back in our suite," Tuan answered.

"Is Bao going?" Sandie wondered.

"I'll ask her. And We'll also ask Tina." Tuan said.

   Moments later, my mom, Tuan and I walked all the way back up to our suite. When we entered, my mom called for Tina, who is in our side of the room, checking her phone. "Sandie is booking us a boat to go travel on. Do you want to come?"

Tina thought about it for a second. Then she said, "okay, sure!"

After a few minutes of preparing ourselves as we apply sunblock, everyone started heading for the door, except for Bao, who decided not to go, as she has to stay in our suite to watch Elizabeth.

   As Tina, Tuan, my mom and I head back down to the lobby, Sandie and Sebastien were already waiting for us, along with Sebastien's parents, Vicky and Vince. My dad suddenly also arrived the at the same time as us. When everyone is all gathered, we all made our way to the Beach, next to the Beach where the boat awaits. It has a large, white cover over most of the areas, allowing us to have some shade. I also noticed something that looked like a miniature counter top with cans of beverages sitting on top. The spot on the Dock is almost packed as there are other people waiting to go on. Not only that, but Cynthia and Nathan, Yvan's two sisters and brother were here as well. I looked around some more and and didn't notice until I finally saw Bao's sister, Minh, and Anthony just arriving to join us for the ride.

The wait was over 10 minutes. Finally, few of the staffs arrived and told us we can all board the boat. A man standing in the boat helps each person get in by taking their hands and they step inside. I waited for Tina, my mom, my dad and Sandie to go in before it's my turn. The man took my hand as I stepped off the Dock and in to the boat as it wobbled a little, but I kept my balance. Then when I turned around and moved out of the way, Sebastien and his mom came in next after me. Then after all the guests are aboard, the second man standing on the Dock removed the rope from the post and set it down on the ground until we come back. Suddenly, the engine starts running and the boat started to move away from the shore. We are off!

   As the boat is sailing on the water, everyone either relaxed and sat down on their seats, walked around or requested for drinks. I just looked at my surroundings. I noticed the sun's reflection in the water, which is very bright. There's tall mountains on St. Lucia, which is far away and I can also see other boats sailing in the distance. My mom got my attention and told me that the beverages are free if I wanted any. Other people are requesting for juices, beer, and pop. I decided to get myself a Ginger Ale. Minutes later, Sandie and Sebastien both decided to do a speech for everyone.

   Sebastien went first. He talked about travelling all the way to St. Lucia with all of the guests and also thanking them for being here. Then, it was Sandie's turn to speak. She went on about how much fun this entire week will be. "To the last day of being single before Sebastien and I are married!" Sandie announced, holding up her cup for a toast. "Cheers!" Everyone else held up their cups as well. I raised my beverage in in the air also, smiling. Sandie and Sebastien both clinked their cups with most of the people that are closed to them. We all continued sailing around in the water for a few more minutes while chatting and relaxing. Then finally, the boat made it back to shore where our resort was. Carefully, everyone all stepped off the boat and headed all the way back inside the lobby entrance.