“Travel light” says Captain Ken. Andrew AVH: 2 bags, 15 kg. Smithy: 1 bag, 8 kg. Glenda: 4 bags, 42 kg. “But I AM travelling light” she bleats “only 1 evening gown, and 3 pairs of shoes!!! ” (we’re serious, chaps). The pattern is set.
The flight over was easy and the stewards kept loading us up with cocktails. “Would you like to stack them up?” she asks Andrew and Ian in an aside, gesturing at Glenda….. Clearing customs a breeze; we proudly bargained our taxi driver down 50%, but then saw the micro car (smaller than a mini….) and the driver (bigger than a mini). Push and shove, grunt and groan, eventually luggage and crew were all packed away. Hilarity in the back as Glenda literally gagged with the driver’s rich and fruity BO. After one arm lift, Glenda had her head out the window.
Finally we arrive at Oyster Island (paradise on earth). Actually, we didn’t fit all the bags in. Glenda squealed. Janice squealed too. Lots of squealing. Turns out the missing bag has meat, Glenda’s eyes’ Glenda’s spare eyes, Ipod, and the ‘Bombs’ (essential sea sickness tablets). In other words OUR FIRST DISASTER HAD STRUCK. Captain Ken, keen to turn problem into opportunity sends Janice and Glenda to find said bag, whilst boys repaired to the star bar, and then the restaurant.
Two hours later, squeals in the distance – the girls are back! Turns out they’ve been hitching their yachting attire, so they can hitch a ride in the back of a ute. At night. With random men. Long story short (you had to be there), we have the bag.
Now 2 days later, we’ve canoed to the blue holes, provisioned to scale new heights, and are now anchored at the Beachfront resort, about to head off on our journey through the Grand Passage. Cup is departing, sadly, already wearing tennis shoes…. Next Stop, next blog: Australia.