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May 31, 2025

I had a bad feeling when I woke up at 5:50 and the sun was not out yet, and sure enough it was raining the hardest we’ve seen this week. Unfortunately for us, we are in the habit of not checking things like the weather and had left out some clothes and hats and such that got soaked - just in time to pack. We had a strict 6:00 sail time to make it to the Moorings with plenty of time to pack and get the boat ready to leave. Kerry was smart and stayed down below where it was dry but Lan, Chris, and I were all getting rained on while captaining the boat the hour ride back. Chris in particular looked like a true man of the sea with his glasses that were covered in rain and yellow shirt that was also drenched. 


This morning I realized I truly had my sea legs now, just in time to get off for good in a bit. It’s fun to be able to stand and move with the boat, not worrying about falling over at all. As we got closer to the docks, Chris tried radioing in to ask about deck hands and where to dock but we quickly learned they didn’t open until 8 and it was only 7. So of course we decided we could do it on our own. It only took us one failed attempt for a dinghy to approach us with two men, one of whom hopped onto our boat and Lan, Kerry, and I finally thought we were experiencing pirates. 


Turns out they were just concerned with our lack of skill and were going to dock the boat for us! They don’t need to be open, you just need to look incompetent enough that they’ll open for you. The man driving the boat was quite impressive, maneuvering it backwards the whole time. I did ask Chris is this was normal practice and he said no, typically you dock it yourself and they’re just on the dock to help catch ropes. 


Post VERY successful, anxiety-free, smooth docking, Kerry, Lan, and I went for breakfast at our tried and true coffee shop and ate and chatted until the dive shop opened at 8 to return snorkels. From there, we made our way through the check-out checklist and left Unreel for good. One interesting thing that happened was the guy running through check-out with us asked me specifically if I speak Spanish… I dont know why he chose me, but I was honored! 


While waiting for the taxi and then in the airport, Kerry, Lan, and I were experiencing a lot of land sickness. Chris somehow was fine, he must just be stronger than the rest of us! The heat wasn’t helping the nausea and spinning at all, and we could not wait to get into ac in any way possible. On the way to the airport, our taxi driver pointed out some flamingos in a body of water and I got to see wild flamingos for the first time ever. The airport on Beef Island kept trying to rob us blind. Lan and I had to wait in the counter line to check in and finally reached the front where they made her check her bag for $40, AND she had to get it in PR. Her bag is the same size as mine and they did not say a single thing. Kerry and Chris thought their mobile boarding pass would work but got to the front of the security line just to be told they’d have to go to the counter to get a mobile pass. Kerry was then told she needed to buy a plastic bag for her toiletries; again, I had some liquids and they didn’t say anything about them! Other than that though, the flight was smooth and short. 


Once we got to PR, it was a race for me to get through the airport and find the gate with the direct flight to Boston so I could get in at 6 instead of 11. Global entry and tsa pre were my best friend, especially with how much walking there was in this airport! It felt like endless hallway after endless circular ramp. By some luck, the Boston flight was delayed 20 minutes, the counter woman was very kind, and I am now sitting on the plane writing this while watching Atlantis. Kerry, Lan, and Chris have a long layover but got to eat one last meal together. Safe travels to everyone. 


Until next time


- Rhianna 


Islands visited: 9

Bags of chips consumed: 7

Rum drinks had: 6

Pints of ice cream enjoyed: 3

Boxes of Mac and cheese demolished: 2 

Fish seen: 10,784

Memories made: all of them

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