We’d traveled across the Atlantic for 6 days. Europe was behind us, Madeira had been a welcome hint of summer cutting through the January goosebumps. In front of us lay the Caribbean and every day the air got a little warmer. Barbados seemed a world away. Its a strange feeling when you are traveling to such a far flung place without flying! As the daily view was blue sky and blue water clouds somehow became more interesting. They were the only colour painted onto the vast azure canvas.

 As you would expect, crossing the Atlantic takes a LONG time! My mister was travelling to Barbados from London 2 days after we left Madeira and by the time we arrived he had been, enjoyed and left! The trip was calm and leisurely for the most part. Every other day we gained an hour which meant extra lie-ins and longer days. Days were filled with frequenting the gym, drinking cocktails and performing a few shows. The water stayed calm and the ship started to live on the decks. If it was worth doing… it was worth doing outside! The monotony of the journey gave way to a more sedate vibe on board. People walked slower… why rush? There was nowhere to go! People read, sunbathed and ate. Its the only time I’ve ever truly relaxed and not felt guilty! Purely because there was no way to do anything else. Good times!

The morning before we sighted land I spent a lazy morning on the port side lower deck with my kindle and a skinny latte enjoying the hum of the engines and the whoosh of the calm sea flowing past. As I absent mindedly stared at the water, (probably unconsciously looking for whales!… I was ALWAYS looking for whales!), a movement in the corner of my eye had me confused…. I had seen a small bird flying close to the water then suddenly it was gone. As I was staring at the now empty patch of water… there was another movement in my peripherals. I turned just in time to see a small flock of 20 or 30 similar creatures dive into the sea. Flying fish! Suddenly there were hundreds of them coasting along in the warm waters rippling off the port side. Amazed, I just stared. For that one moment there was just me, the ocean and the sound of tiny plops as hundreds of winged fish hurtled in and out of the morning sun.

I wasn’t quick enough with my camera.. so thanks to bbc.co.uk for the archive pic!

What a lovely morning it was. I hope I have more like that! 🙂