Sand in my shoes, Barbados

Bikini? Tan Lines? Surfing? They all come together in beautiful Barbados!

More and more people talk about ‘adventure holidays’.  I was interested, but whenever a chance came for me to wander away from home for a bit, the eternal beach bum in me would begin dreaming of white sand beaches and water a surreal shade of blue. As sometimes happens, some of our more adventurous moments happen because we don’t plan them. A good friend wanted to get away and waved a plane ticket in my face. She said she would take care of everything. My brain heard ‘Barbados’ and needed to know no more.

On the plane I dozed off dreaming of those beaches and planning what swimsuit I would wear to establish my base tan. Very important considerations. I had been to Barbados before and enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and I admit it, the duty free shopping is wonderful. We got to where we were staying and I was a little thrown. It was a small family run place and the epitome of the laid back beach vibe. The room was cute and had a spectacular view of the small private beach and I was immediately enamoured. And then I heard my friend talking about 6 a.m.

I whipped around to hear the lively discussion about the next day’s planned events which included waking up at an ungodly hour of the morning to get strapped to a board and be taught how to stand up on it while riding a wave and trying not to drown. Yes, it was on one of ‘those’ vacations! She had always wanted to learn to surf and she was taking me with her.

Yawning noisily, I ‘popped up’ on a surfboard on dry land a few times and then was told i was ready. Since i was constantly falling off while still on land, I was a little nervous. Armed with a giant longboard, slathered with sunscreen and will power I joined the others in paddling out. When we got out far enough we sat up. As we floated there a huge smile blossomed on my face. I was gazing out toward the morning sky across the ocean and when I turned and looked back at the beach, I was seeing the island in a whole new way. Soon enough I was pushed out onto a wave. Six or seven tries later I did it! Sailing across the water, riding the power of that wave. I stayed up for what seemed like forever although it was probably only a mere ten seconds. I slept that night like I never slept before and I was ready again at 6 a.m. the following day.

I still got to wear my cute bikini a couple times, under the rash guard and board shorts mostly, and the tan lines were a little funny when I got home. However, I have never felt as connected to the ocean as I did for that week and, now that I am back, I know that my next trip to the islands will include a little more ‘adventure’.

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