Our day at sea

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After Kim whipped us all up breakfast in the villa we stood out at Saint Nicolas beach.

The 50 foot catamaran that would be our home for the day sent a dingy to pick us up on the pier. A handful of us spent a glorious day on the catamaran. After exploring the ship and figuring out how the pump-operated head worked we set sail. I was asked by the Captain to help haul up the mainsail on two occasions, and no - the request was not fuelled by my knowledge of sailing but I assume solely due to my however many kilos of calamari and sardines and Mythos I portage.

We sailed the breadth of the island from just north of the southeastern tip along the broad swath of the island’s south and just a few bays up the west coast and dropped anchor to swim by the Keri caves. We jumped down about 8 feet into the utterly clear pristine water and swam about – Will and I in our masks and snorkles looking at the fish.

Will and I then followed brave Kim and Marika’s lead and swan the length of a cave which took us a few minutes – at one point we had to duck under the cave ceiling as a swell pushed us up. It was a bit harrowing until we saw the light around a bend signaling open space again.

We stopped at another beach later on for another plunge and had a chuckle at a small converted launch with a couple old guys selling frozen treats – sort of like an aquatic Dickie Dee which lashed to our deck. One guy's coiff was like a mega-Bruno Gerussi do gone white and whipped with salt and sand.

Naturalists from the Sea Turtle preservation society gave us an onboard presentation on the life cycle of the loggerheads which weigh up to 150 kilos and can live over 100 years. I spotted a turtle and we pulled up alongside - it appeared to have a problem with it’s right front flipper – perhaps fishing line – the Captain called the Coast Guard who sent a speedboat to hoist the turtle in a net and bring it to the centre where they will treat it and take care of it until it is again seaworthy.

I was lucky enough to spot the one other loggerhead within viewing range from the boat and we headed back to our floating pier six hours later.

It was, as I said a glorious day – the day on the sea sailing the catamaran would have been worth the time and expense, and the adventures were all bonuses.

Marika said her highlight of the day was finding the giant loggerhead sea turtle. Will said what he liked best about the day was swimming inside the length of the cave and “the adrenaline”.

Home and chill and late siesta and then a vertical hike to our favourite local tavern – the kids wanted a photo with the owners – they treated us every night we were there with a wonderful local liquer made from cloves and cinnamon.

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