On this day, we decided to go sailing. My grandfather taught me how to sail a sailboat at an early age and eventually taught me how to sail a catamaran. I had such great memories sailing with him off Tarpon Springs to Anclote Island and around Fred Howard Park. I was about 14-15 when he taught me and I was all about getting the catamaran to go up on one pontoon. My friends and I would lean out on the trapeze and try to sail with one pontoon as long as we could. I would bring my dog sailing with me on the catamaran instructing Taffy to sit and stay. She would moan the entire time and frequently jump off to chase birds. What great memories are brought back as we set off on our catamaran trip. The Catamaran is a 14 footer without a jib. It is easy and made for tourists with large pontoons and a relatively small sail. It is easy to remember how to sail and fun to get out on the water. I try to teach Kristin how to sail, but she likes learning on her own. I let her figure it out and she does fine. I leave her on the catamaran and jump off and swim ashore to get a sailboard.
The sailboards are free with our hotel, although kind of large boards and small sails made of the entry level sailboarder. The sailboard does not go very fast. My grandfather taught me how to sail this too when I was 13 in Cape Cod. I remember getting stuck out in the middle of the lake and padding back for several hours when beginning. I eventually got a sailboard in Florida and would sail everywhere on it, teaching my dog to balance on the front as sail several miles off my Grandfather's condo. What incredible memories and lucky experiences I have. Although I have not been on a board in several years, I pick up where I left off and navigate out to the water slowly trying to find wind. It is like riding a bike. I am like a kid in a candy store jumping from one great sport to another. I feel so lucky to have learned these skills when I was young and to have a grandfather that took time to teach them to me. Although he has passed on, I wish he could see what great memories he left me by taking time to teach me sailing at an early age.
We play Rummy 500 on the beach. Kristin beats me on the last hand going out on the first turn. I am stuck with an incredible hand of 2 aces, 3 4's and 2 kings. I thought for sure I had her. Boy to I hate to lose.
We have another relaxing Sushi dinner overlooking a zen garden steps from our room. The total cost is $30 for the two of us. Very reasonable for sushi although the locals pay even less for food. We can't complain and go back to the room to play more rummuy. I win this time and can finally get a good night sleep. :-)
Day 45: June 11 Chilling on sailboats in Fiji
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Denarau Island, Fiji
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