Couples pictures and my near death experience

So after Maho, Jim and I headed back to the villa. We kind of got lost, but on a tiny island only 37 square miles in size, it's hard to be too lost. There is only one main road around the island, and only a few roads that run off of it. Anytime there is a choice of roads to take, they use a roundabout to control traffic--which means there is not a single stoplight on the island. And very, very few stop signs.

Mike and Jen had returned from their scuba adventure and we went out for dinner together at the restaurant that is Busby's during the afternoon. It's weird that it's called something else for the evening (Daniel's by the Sea? Can't quite remember, dangit). There was a dog at the restaurant. We weren't sure if it was owned by anyone, but since the restaurant had only a roof (no walls, only railings) the dog came and went as it pleased. The French like their animals and allow them in restaurants.

Jen and Mike. Also notice that the restaurant features plastic patio furniture to sit on. Then again, we are essentially eating on a deck.

Yours truly, and my truly.

 We then retired to the villa for a round of Settlers of Catan while the Super Bowl played in the background.

On Monday, Jim and I lazed around a bit in the morning. Jen and Mike left for their second scuba appointment, but returned soon after because of an accident that suspended diving activity. Jen was sure death was involved (and she found out later that she was right). So the four of us headed out to Friar's Bay beach for lunch and sunbathing. The rental cars were powerless little husks, and with the four of us in the car and the air conditioning on, it was iffy whether we were going to make it up the steep hill. I was afraid we were going to start drifting backwards ("into the bay" Jenni, remember that Bill Cosby routine?). Jim had the bright idea to turn off the AC to give the engine more power and it worked. The car still putt-putted up the hill, but I wasn't worried that we were going to slip backwards.

Friar's Bay was not very crowded unless you count the pack of roaming dogs. We ate lunch there--there are restaurants right on the beach. The waves got big later on in the day and I was dumb enough to attempt to outrun a large wave. I had been bobbing around in the swells quite a ways out (for me) and I realized these big swells were creating big crashing waves on the beach, which were not going to be fun to dodge when trying to get back to shore. I went for it anyway, and a big wave crashed on me, knocking me down and pulling me under. It was so strong that it knocked my two-piece bathing suit different directions and I was trying to pull everything back on while also wondering when I was going to resurface so I could take a breath. Just in time, the wave receded and I was saved from drowning and dying. I felt a little out of whack after that. I kinda felt like I'd been assaulted. But I refused to let my "near-death" experience dampen my mood. I had to take a good long shower when we got back, though, because that wave put sand everywhere. I'm sure I was nowhere near dying really, but still one does tend to get a little creeped out when one isn't sure when the next opportunity to breathe air will be.

So serene!

Jim is sporting his tropical vacation wear.

More open air restaurant eating.

More selfie

It wasn't cloudy the whole time. It rained only briefly once that day. (it rained briefly once or twice for a few minutes several days we were there)

 

Those rocks made a cool tapping noise when the waves pushed them up on the shore and then dragged them back out.