After that picture was taken, We released more lanterns into the sky…





Tizzy grabbed my arm “Daisy! Lets go jump off the cliffs together! C’mon”

I stared at her in horror and gripped her shoulders “Tizzy, no…there are LIONFISH in there! Lionfish! They all come up to the surface at night”

“Aww psaww… Don’t worry, girl, I’ll protect you from the lionfish. Lets go!”, She laughed and dismissed my fears with a wave of her hand.

I hesitated for a moment, considered it but then shook my head rapidly with wide eyes. “Don’t do it Tizzy! It’s too dangerous!”

Tizzy just laughed and darted off into the darkness. Booger and Sandy bravely followed. I stood back biting my nails and fearing for their lives.

Markus rubbed my shoulders “Honey, they’ll be fine” He assured me.

And of course, they were.

They all returned dripping wet and laughing up a storm. (I’m pretty sure Booger performed a special hanging brain flying leap off that cliff in a way only Booger can … but don’t quote me on that one. Lol!)

Next time Tizzy, I promise! I WILL overcome my fear!

And then it was time for the goodbye’s.

This was hard for me…I’m REALLY not good with saying goodbye. I’m Mrs. Waterworks. I put on my bravest face as we all hugged.

I thanked Sandy (Pooper) for pulling the sea urchin spines out of my foot and told her how happy I was to get to know her. She saw the tears welling up and told me not to cry. “You’re going to visit us in LA okay! Do you hear me? That’s an order not a request”

I laughed and hugged this strong beautiful woman. The mother hen of the group.

Next was Booger.(The one that surprised me the most). I expected a snarky old man and instead I got to know a young handsome mischievous bloke with the biggest heart. He might try to hide it, but he’s really a softie. He also had the ability to deflect my tears by saying something that made me laugh and smack him.

I hugged GonJon goodbye. He’s the one person I didn’t get to know as well as the others. This is perfectly understandable considering the fact that he was hit by Cupid’s arrow 10 minutes after I met him and was pretty head over heels for a certain Texan wildflower. He is clearly a great guy though and a lucky one at that.

Which brings me to Tizzy… She was the hardest to say goodbye to. She’s so full of light and love. Her happiness and joy with life is contagious. She came over to hug me and all we had to do was look at each other. I can’t remember what I said to her, but it was from the heart.

She pulled me in for a tight hug. When we pulled away, she was wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand. “Damn it Girl! I can’t even look at you! You’re making me cry! Stop it!”

Miss you Tizz…

And with that we all dispersed to our separate cabins.

“Do you think we’ll ever see them again?”, I sniffled.

“Of course we will”, Markus said with a smile “You know this is only the beginning”

To be continued…
Day 10 coming up next.