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For the most part, the port adventures we’ve gotten up to this week have been things that Mel said she wanted to do. For Nassau, our last port day, it was Brad’s choice and he wanted to go snorkelling. So I got us signed up for a snorkelling and beach break.
Now, the tour wasn’t quite what we thought it would be. Not because there was a problem with the tour, but because I didn’t do the proper research. We went to the beach and there was snorkelling there, but not to see exciting reefs and fish and other creatures, the snorkelling was to search for “treasure”.
We left Nassau and took a ferry to another island nearby: Blackbeard’s Cay. The small island was lined with a pretty white sand beach. The beach had a large swimming area roped off. Around the swimming area, they’d dropped small white sachets, each with a coin in them. Our job was then to search for these sachets. Every coin found could be traded in at a shop in Nassau for various free gifts. The first person to find and show a coin would also win two free drinks. Also, one sachet had
a large special coin that apparently could be traded in for diamond earrings!
So we set off. And I for some reason thought there would be a lot of sachets and they’d be easy to find. But after about half an hour, we hadn’t found any and as far as I knew, nobody else had either. So I’m swimming around and looking at the odd little fish that I’d see here or there. And I was going across this area that was quite shallow and had a lot of grass-like plants along the bottom. And finally I found a sachet! I thought I was imagining it at first, but nope, it was one. Within a few minutes, not too far away from there, I found a second and a third sachet. I looked for more, but didn’t see any. Then I hunted for Mel and Brad. They still hadn’t found any and said I should go hand them in for the drinks. It had been so long, I was sure other people had to have gone in by now. But I went in and to my surprise, I was the first - so I got Mel & Brad each
a pina colada. The host also gave me a map/list of the shops back in Nassau where I could trade in my coins for gifts. Thankfully (cause I knew I’d be rushed to get back to the ship) because I’m crew and will be back to Nassau in a few weeks, I can hand them in anytime and get my gifts, whatever they may be.
And the most exciting thing? I found the large special coin! I’m still a bit skeptical that I can actually get diamond earrings out of this deal, but I’ll find out in a few weeks!
After we tired of snorkelling, we enjoyed the rest of the tour. Had a nice little barbeque lunch on the beach. Laid out on the sand under the sun. Mel and Brad splashed around while I had a much-needed nap.
Then the chaos began . . . There was a problem with the boat we went to the island on, so another one had been sent to bring us back. Except that boat was late. And slow moving. And we had dinner in the dining room to make. It’s Mel and Brad’s last day on the ship
- we weren’t going to miss dinner! We spent the whole ride back anxiously looking at our watches and planning exactly how we could get to the dining room as fast as possible. We planned the run, the fastest route to our cabins, calling Jody (who was joining us for dinner) to see if he could get to our table first, how I would have to have the fastest shower ever (cause the salt water look I had would definitely not comply with our company dress code) . . .
Our ferry pulled up in Nassau and we were off! We literally ran through the city, dodging people and cars and scooters and all sorts of things. People were yelling after us “Run Forrest!”, “Hurry, the police are gaining on you!”. I got separated from them in the terminal because we had different security procedures. But after the terminal, I tore along the pier. And it’s a LONG pier! We’re talking the length of THREE ships. And our ships are HUGE. I got onto the ship and within ten minutes got from the gangway to my cabin, called Jody, showered, dressed and ran (possibly barefoot through the muster stations?)
the entire length of the ship to the dining room - because of course my cabin and the dining room are at the absolute extreme opposite ends of the ship. And we managed to get to dinner. Half an hour late, but in enough time that they still let us in! Mission accomplished. We laughed so hard and so long after that entire adventure.
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swills82
Sarah Willett
Treasures!
How fun! I definitely want updates on what your treasures end up being! That's hilarious! YAY YOU!