Vacations 101: Sometimes Glitches Are the Most Fun!
Sailing in the Bahamas © Some rights reserved by T Hall
Everyone loves vacations. In fact vacation photos are the staples in FB pages! I especially love going on vacations yearly with my wife and two kids, even if it’s just back to the Maritimes, to take a break from life as a Calgary real estate agent.
But we had one particular vacation that’s as fresh in my mind as if it happened yesterday—that one that took us to The Abacos Islands in the Bahamas.
“Oh sure, the Bahamas,” you’d think, “Who’d forget it?” Well true enough, the sea and the sky there couldn’t be bluer, the more than 2,000 islands greener, and the beach sand whiter or in some cases, more pink than any pink-sand beach you’ve ever seen.
So we rented a 39′ sailboat and sailed off to sea. I have been on the water all my life … but mostly in smaller 16′ Catamarans and Sea Kayaks. I hadn’t take any formal courses on sailing but I consider myself a bit of a sailor. I convinced the charter company that I had sufficient experience – and took the helm. But almost an hour later, my kids wondered why they could still see the bottom of the sea. I told them, “Oh, it’s just the beautiful crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean; don’t worry.” But five to 10 minutes later, we hit sand, the tide went out and we were stranded for six hours on an island! Great sailor, me! Oh, but my family was so much fun. We had a wonderful time snorkeling and we even had a picnic. In the meantime, I tried hard not to feel too embarrassed. Then the tide came back and the charter owner/operator came in a powerboat and pulled us off. Lucky for us, we didn’t hit a rocky bottom but a sandy one, so the boat had no damage.
I realized a number of things from that vacation. Here are the ones I remember best.
- Take sailing classes.
- Listen to your crew.
- Stay alert to be safe.
When things go wrong, relax! You can always turn potential disasters into the funniest and most unforgettable memories. Remember, happiness or enjoyment is not really a feeling or an experience that comes to us given the right external conditions, but a state of mind. So cherish each moment, and don’t plan too much because sometimes it’s the unexpected things that are the most fun!
Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.
About Bryon Howard
Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of one home a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.
