After two years of island hopping in the West Indies, we reluctantly set sail for new adventures. Our kids, the masters of whining, clung to their friends like stubborn barnacles. Tears flowed as if we were parting with mischievous pirates, not childhood buddies. The supposed three-day journey turned into a nearly 5-day odyssey. Winds and currents played tricks on us, and our boat seemed possessed. Inch by agonizing inch, we crept forward while time stood still. But amidst the frustration, nature blessed us with a celestial gift. Bioluminescent organisms illuminated the night, creating a dazzling water ballet. Mahis and tunas may have eluded us, but the ocean's sparkly fireworks made up for it. Who needs gourmet meals when you can dine on nature's enchanting spectacle? Life at sea is full of surprises, and we savored every magical moment of the bioluminescent show.

As the days dragged on, boredom started to settle in. The monotonous routine of homeschooling, cooking, Baird games and sailing tested our patience, and the little sailors grew restless. Seeking a break from the endless waves, they transformed our living room into a magnificent fort. Cushions became castle walls, and sheets formed a secret passageways, and imagination turned our mundane surroundings into a fantastical realm. Additional bonus, the mess was all hidden inside of the fort, far from everyone's eyes.

After enduring a four-day long passage, we finally arrived in Bonaire, exhausted but exhilarated. With a stroke of luck, we managed to catch THE mooring ball positioned right on the edge of a breathtaking coral reef. The water surrounding us was a mesmerizing blend of turquoise brilliance, shimmering only 15 feet deep in front of us, while plunging into a mysterious dark blue abyss, a staggering 100 feet deep beneath our stern.

As we reveled in the stunning view, we were unexpectedly welcomed by two strangers, Miranda and Owen, friends of our dear friend Annick, who waved at us from the comfort of their balcony,, adding a touch of whimsy to our arrival. Little did we know that these chance encounters were just the beginning of our unforgettable Bonaire escapade.

Shortly after, Sophia and her husband (definitely not Philip) from the SV Pilosophy dinghied over to say hello.

And so, with newfound friends and the allure of Bonaire beckoning us, we embarked on another adventure: finding food.

Ah, the long-awaited International Children's Day, a day where the boys miraculously remember who to celebrate after conveniently forgetting every other important occasion throughout the year. We kicked off the festivities by heading to their newfound paradise, the restaurant aptly named Between 2 Buns. Naturally, their dream breakfast consisted of devouring juicy burgers that would make any nutritionist weep. As if that wasn't enough, they pleaded for a detour to Luciano's for ice cream. Ian, the voice of reason, wisely ordered two scoops of his favorite flavors, while silly Alex went completely overboard, opting for six scoops, two cones, and a mountain of toppings. We all knew a sugar coma was imminent, but sometimes you just have to embrace the chaos. With their energy levels skyrocketing, we decided to fulfill Alex's dreams by renting a white truck and driving to a place called the "land sailing adventure." Imagine go-karts propelled by sails and wind—a recipe for uncontrollable laughter and windblown hair. The sheer thrill of racing with the wind was an absolute blast. After our adrenaline fix, we made our way to the mesmerizing salt ponds, where the water shimmered a captivating shade of pink. As we marveled at the ethereal sight, we had the unique opportunity to witness salt being transported to a massive shipping vessel. Our educational detour continued as we visited the tiny white slave houses, which served as a poignant reminder of the island's history. All in all, it was a day filled with mouthwatering indulgence, wind-induced exhilaration, and a dash of cultural exploration. Who needs a calendar when you have International Children's Day to remind the boys of their priorities?

Another day of adventures in Bonaire has come to a close, and boy, did we make the most of it! While Greg submerged himself in the depths of yet another breathtaking diving spot, we decided to pay a visit to the Donkey Sanctuary. Little did we know that we were about to embark on a journey into the land of miniature horses with long ears. These donkeys, originally brought to the island in the 1800s for work purposes, had since become relics of a bygone era. With the rise of cars and infrastructure, their services were no longer required, and they found themselves fending for themselves. As we drove through the sanctuary, marveling at the adorable donkeys, the boys were given the incredible opportunity to feed them from the bed of the pickup truck. You could practically see the joy radiating from their faces as they tossed carrots and dried pellets to their new four-legged friends. After bidding farewell to our furry acquaintances, we set out to scout a potential wingfoiling spot, only to find ourselves drawn to one of the island's highly recommended food trucks. It seems the boys are going through a serious burger phase, and who can blame them? We convinced ourselves that a good burger covers all the food groups, with the bun representing grains, the patty providing protein, and the lettuce, tomatoes, and veggies offering vitamins and fiber. We repeated this nutritional mantra as we indulged in mouthwatering burgers atop the cozy bed of our trusty white truck. So, there we were, enjoying our late lunch, surrounded by the lingering scent of donkeys (which were simultaneously stinky and cute), continuing to justify our burger obsession. Ah, the joys of culinary rationalization in the midst of animal encounters.

Another one of our June celebrations turned into an adventure-packed day that left us thrilled and craving for more... We started off with a mouthwatering breakfast and a table filled with flowers, setting the perfect ambiance for the day. Our first stop was the island's only escape room, where we embarked on a treasure hunt, hoping to find gold, jewels, or at least a clue to where we left the car keys. After escaping the room (barely), we decided to explore a hidden part of the island, and what better way to do that than cliff jumping at the spectacular Boca Slagbaai in Washington-Slagbaai National Park? Alex, our fearless leader, took the plunge from the 25 ft cliff, followed by Ian, who mustered up his courage (and took a moment to fix his hair). Finally, it was Greg's turn, who needed a bit of a pep talk before launching himself into the air. With everyone back on solid ground, it was time for the grand finale. The boys convinced me to take my first 40-year-old jump. As I plummeted into the water, my screams of excitement mingled with the laughter of my companions. It was a moment of pure exhilaration, followed by a splash and a realization that my body is as young as I need it to be. Clearly age is just a number. The boys lined up for round two, three, and who knows how many more jumps.

The Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire team armed with measuring tapes and weighing scales let us observe while they played turtle doctors, checking for turtle diseases and damages. We all gathered around, wide-eyed and ready to learn more about these enchanting creatures. Boys kept asking lots of very good questions. Eventually all the turtles were safely released back into the wild.

We ventured into the wild wonders of Washington-Slagbaai Park. Think stunning beaches, breathtaking blown holes, and an avian extravaganza. We met the island's VIPs – the Caracara Wara Wara birds, the island-exclusive gang of voguish vultures. They strutted around like they owned the place, giving us the side-eye as if to say, "Yeah, we're the cool kids on the block."

Next up, the Trupials joined the island party, being the colorful equivalent of an island sparrows. They were everywhere, showing off their bright colors and reminding us that they're the unofficial ambassadors of the ABC islands. The trupials happens to be a national bird of Venezuela.

Ah, the dreaded final exams arrived, and the boys geared up for battle. Day one kicked off with the math test, and they dove headfirst into a world of equations and formulas. With furrowed brows and pencils blazing, they conquered each problem with determination. To everyone's amazement, their efforts paid off splendidly, as they achieved fantastic scores. Who would've thought? Brainiacs in the making! The testing marathon continued for four days, with reading, writing, and science waiting in the wings. These boys were on a mission to prove their academic prowess, and nothing could stand in their way.

Our last few days in Bonaire were filled with thrilling adventures and hilarious misadventures. I decided to give wingfoiling the last chance and while guided by the patient eye of the instructor, Dasher I managed to learn how to maneuver up and down the wind. Fast forward to our last day in Bonaire, I can foil for more than 0.5 seconds at a time and only in one direction, but that's a good progress. The boys eagerly took windsurfing lessons and instantly fell in love with the sport. It was a crash course in understanding the intricacies of wind sports, and let's just say their crashes were quite impressive. They were not impressed with their teacher though. Meanwhile, Greg continued his diving escapades, exploring the underwater wonders while we battled the wind above. In an attempt to take a break from the water, we embarked on a flamingo-themed adventure at the Flamingo Edventure, where we decided to test our putting skills on the mini-golf course. Little did we know that one particular station would become our nemesis, as it took us a whopping 25 hits to finally reach the hole. It became less of a golf game and more of a comedy routine/ hokey, with wild swings, missed shots, and uncontrollable laughter. In the end, our scores were as flamboyant as the flamingos themselves, but the memories we created were worth every stroke. Who knew that mini-golf could be so challenging and hilarious at the same time?