Yacht LUMAHAI

Our first day on Lumahai!

I awoke this morning to the sound of herons diving next to the yacht and the unmistakable aroma of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.

Our cabin is beautiful — English sycamore and cream suede paneling with soft cream leathered upholstery. There is a large-screen DVD, picture window, en suite bath and shower and even a hairdryer. I slept like a baby in the queen-size bed and the in-room controlled air conditioning was set to our own comfort level. What a restful beginning to our vacation on our personal yacht for a week.

After a refreshing shower in a bathroom detailed with a marbled onyx finish, it was time to step out on deck to feel the warmth of the sun and the aroma of the Caribbean. Kim, our Chef, had prepared a table full of fresh-baked blueberry muffins, fresh mango, papaya, melon and her own personally prepared breakfast cereals. I could get used to this!!

After breakfast we went for a snorkel off the back of Lumahai. It was like swimming in your own personal tropical aquarium loaded with a kaleidoscope of coral and tropical fish. I had never seen so many colorful fish — damsel fish of various hues of blue and green, brilliantly colored yellow butterfly fish and the comical orange and black clown fish darted in and out of pink and blue sea anemones. And as if that wasn't enough, I swam with a turtle today!


Mid-morning, we set sail for Treasure Point where it is said a letter written in 1750 reported that hidden in caves "The treasure of the Nuestra Senora was recovered with $450,000 worth of gold plates, cochineal, indigo and tobacco." The yacht glided effortlessly across the open water, no engines, just powered by the wind, so graceful and relaxing. While some trolled for fish off the stern, others joined the Captain for lessons on the helm. But the highlight for me was being escorted to our destination by a family of dolphin, diving and gliding along our bows. I have never seen so many, so close and so playful. It was as if they were posing for the camera…it was truly "a Kodak moment."

Our crew dropped anchor in a secluded bay, where we took the kayaks out for a little exploring before lunch. We both quickly became expert paddlers on Lumahai's two very comfortable and stable sit-a-top kayaks which we easily pulled onto the golden sands of the palm-fringed beach…our own secluded beach. We couldn't get over how crystal clear and silky the water was…Oh and did I mention warm!

Back on board lunch had been prepared for our return…crab and shrimp quesadillas with a crisp romaine salad and Mexican dressing and a chilled glass of Pinot.

After lunch, Captain David rigged Lumahai's two windsurfers for those adventurous souls who cared to put sail to board and fly with the wind. I preferred to have a tranquil afternoon relaxing on the trampolines with a good book. The deck wide awning was so thoughtfully arranged that I had my choice of sun or shade or a little of each. I chose sun!!

At 4 PM the captain informed us of hors d'oeuvres and cocktails on the bridge deck. Chef Kim had prepared homemade hummus, salsa and guacamole dips, beef and asparagus roulade, a selection of Italian cold meats, cheeses and fresh olives. And the cocktail of the day was a Deep Blue Sea.

After cocktails, there was time before dinner for a little snooze or a quick dip. None could resist the call of warm, crystal-clear Caribbean water in our secluded bay, so it was over the side for all.

The Captain's table at dinner was a beautiful display of exquisite cuisine as if we were in our own exclusive restaurant, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and exotic islands as a backdrop. With Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli playing in the background and aperitif in hand, we watched the sun give way to a starlit sky.

Dining under the stars, we were treated to grilled green lip mussels with pesto, tomato salsa and parmesan shavings to start. An Australian chardonnay accompanied the chicken roulade which was stuffed with pimento and spinach and cooked in a light Dijon broth and served on a bed of Japanese noodles with a selection of toasted vegetables.

Dessert was a velvety chocolate mousse, topped with marshmallow and chocolate shavings. I still dream of it.

Tea and coffee followed and to top it all — a liqueur of choice.

The clear night revealed the full moon which cast it hue across the inlet. Captain Dave ran others ashore to sample the night life at a full-moon party. Our choice was a late night on the trampoline star gazing…All this and it is only DAY 1 !!

Sandy's Journal, Day 1