It was barely sunrise and the house was abuzz with activity. We were anxious to get the day started so we got up and walked to the edge of the cliff to gaze at the beautiful view. Shortly, Jah Mike joined us. He said he had some coffee and cut-up fresh fruit from his farm ready if we were ready to eat. We thanked him and followed him up to the verandah where there was a make-shift table had two bowls of fruit and two cups of hot water with two packets of instant coffee. A far cry from Peter’s coffee but we were thankful. Finished. Now we were ready for a trip in Jah Love.
I helped Jah Mike turn over the beached boat and push it part way into the water so my wife could get in first and I followed while Jah Mike went into the bushes and retrieved two oars. After putting them along with a bag full of snorkel equipment into the boat, he stopped. He had forgotten the spear gun which he then retrieved. The spear gun had a carved wooden handle with a trigger and frame made from broken lawn chair parts and a piece of surgical hose for propelling the sharpened steel rod. Jah Mike pushed and jumped into the boat and grabbed the oars.
Jah Mike’s powerful strokes caused Jah Love to cut swiftly and efficiently through the water passing Allen’s Island in a couple of minutes as we headed straight for Cabarita Island. Jah Mike told us that the Pirate Captain Henry Morgan used to own the island but lost it in a card game. Also, he said the locals still call it Goat Island as Morgan used to keep goats there to re-provision his ship as he prowled the waters looking for ships to attack. He added that Morgan used to bury treasure there, but no one has yet to find any. We circled the island slowly getting a panoramic view of the coastline.
We beached Jah Love on Allen’s Island and put on the snorkeling gear. Jah Mike put on a mask but didn’t use the tube preferring to free dive as he grabbed the homemade spear gun and swam across the water. We carefully walked over the coral pieces before swimming and snorkeling as well. Two dives later, Jah Mike had two large reef fish on the end of this spear that he said would be our last night’s dinner. My wife and I exchanged looks. Too bad we only have one last night here.
The three of us put our snorkeling gear into the boat and just treaded water while we each talked about our lives. Somehow life here was so simple and pure compared to the rat race at home. I could get used to living here and, I could tell, so could my wife.
We re-boarded the boat and headed for the beach. As we approached, I could see a group of girls and women waiting for my wife. It was so rewarding for me to see how happy coming here was making her feel.
They took her from the boat and practically dragged her up the hill and into their world.
