Learning French has helped me stay in the present (because past and future tenses are too difficult). Island life always has this effect on me as well. Today we leave Hayman, Sydney-bound. And I am rested and happy.
Our room faces the beach. From our bed, we have watched the tides come in and go out. We’ve watched the birds gather in the evenings. (The cockatoos went to visit Goat and Mikey last night to get their Pringles fix.) We’ve watched giant bats fly overhead. In the silhouette of a setting sun, we watched two wallabies hop through the palm trees.
Yesterday we all started a hike up the center of the island with a snorkeling destination in mind. Spud, now speckled with jellyfish stings from the day before, was the only one who actually snorkeled. One by one, the snorkeling expedition fell apart. The girls turned around. The Husband and Mikey had already decided they would swim but not snorkel. Then Spud got chased by reef sharks, so he’s finally rid himself of the snorkel bug.
Dinner was at Amici again. Goat and I snuck breadcrumbs to Larry (or Mo or Curly), our favorite bird.
The tide goes out, the tide goes in. Some days I’m struck with a sense of guilt over the cost of these travels we take. But in our 60s and 70s, our tide is going out, and it’s now, in the present, that we have to experience this beautiful planet.
I will not soon forget the “call” of the cockatoo:
Those jellyfish stings look like so many mosquito bites. I assume they didn’t bother Spud much, as you’ve made no mention of him going to the hospital.
Stupid me, I once picked up and held a jellyfish when I was in Florida, not realizing what it was. Later, I read that it didn’t sting me because at that particular time of the year, this type of jellyfish doesn’t sting. I guess I got lucky. Or you could call me the jellyfish whisperer.
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I have never heard of holding a non-stinging jelly fish. You are the whisperer. We questioned AI about the danger of these stings. It seemed like since they were dots and not lines, he was not in danger. We’ll see if he makes the boat this morning!
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Something tells me we were lucky to not snorkel!
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Spud might have ventured to places he should not.
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