Below the Surface

Our life aboard EcstaSea has always been, up till now, lived in the Mediterranean. And we really, really like Europe and all that it has to offer. So i (Willow) have found it a bigger adjustment being here in the Caribbean on EcstaSea than the Captain has. I have been looking for the magic that i know is offered here. Now Yemaya, the ocean, the sea (whatever you want to call her) is magically inherent within herself. Her movement, her power, her cleansing and her beauty just to name a few of her magical qualities. That is why we love living on her anywhere in the world. 

And i have finally found the magic here and it is just below the surface…It is the magnificent underwater life bursting forth with spontaneous exuberance!!! 

We are in the British Virgin Islands now and have been anchoring in Benures Bay on Norman Island. And the snorkeling here is as good as it gets. Richard says it's like swimming in The Monterey Aquarium. Our underwater camera has decided not to work and we are intent on getting a GoPro when we get back to the States, so you just have to take our word for it. The variety is astonishing regarding the fish as well as the flora and coral. The colors are so vivid--purples, yellow, electric blues, black, white, reds of every shade and on and on and on….WE have seen multitudes of parrot fish flashing their brilliant colors as they munch on the coral. We see puffer fish, rays, nurse sharks, moray eels, big fish, little fish and more than we can describe or know. WE jump of the back of the boat and swim and swim just looking in awe at the life all around us, and we see something new everyday.

This is the gift of the Caribbean.

In our special cove there is also an abundance of birds all around. We  especially have fun watching the Pelicans. They look almost pre-historic. They fly and fish all day and even rest up in the trees. And these we can show you pictures of.

So i am, we are, settling in here and feeling more at ease. The Med had beautiful islands and waters but virtually no life below the surface. Now we are swimming daily, getting in great shape and entertained beyond measure as we marvel at the abundant sea life just below the surface. Aren't the real treasures always found if we are willing to dig a little deeper and go below the surface? We think so….

Laughing Goddess

Richard and i like, and often use the phrase, "If you want to make the Goddess laugh, make a plan".
Not that we don't believe that we are the creators of our own reality and circumstances, but the Goddess enjoys fooling around with us when we are too rigidly defined by our own limiting plans. The Goddess embodies "Yes" -- yes to all things, and requires great flexibility to play in her kingdom.

With that said, we expected to come to the Caribbean and experience "easier" conditions in many ways. And now we are laughing (after being pissed off) along with Her.

WE loved the Med and how it continuously stretched us beyond our comfort zones---until it didn't anymore and we then knew it was time to leave. But somewhere we forgot that "anything" new would be challenging, stretch us, and make us uncomfortable for a time.

WE thought Caribbean---warm waters, easy trade winds, English as the primary language, and "Hey Mon" easy island attitudes---would be easy. Well, it is requiring a bigger adjustment period than we anticipated.

This winter is an unusually windy, cool and rainy season. Tucson (our desert home) is experiencing an unusually warm winter---go figure??? Groceries here in the Caribbean are much more expensive than in Europe and we miss the great outdoor markets with fresh fruit and veggies. WE miss the culture and great variety of restaurants. And we are surprised that here to anchor out we must pay a daily fee. WE miss the foreign languages that we could not understand and are dismayed that we can hear everyones conversations all around us as they speak English. Our world was much "quieter" in Europe. Granted, we have only been on the islands of St Martin and St Barths (getting repairs done), so we are trying to withhold judgement for now. (Actually, we would be much happier if we could not just withhold --but have NO judgement at all, hmmmm?).

Now no one feels in the least bit sorry for us, and we do not feel sorry for ourselves. WE have created a magnificent life and are thankful for it every moment. But yes, we do get a little pissy sometimes and then the Goddess reminds us to say "Yes" to it all and create from there. And whether we perceive something as "easy" or "hard" we want the growth and expansion inherent in the experience of it.

So whether it becomes easier or not here, we do always intend to live with an "easeful" heart and attitude. And that is the saving grace.

Chuckle, chuckle….Thank you Goddess…..