Day 74 - Pink Sands, Perspective & Precious Moments

Today our excursion was scheduled to leave at 8.30am, so I was up early to walk the track and stretch, followed by grabbing our veggie juices, before heading back to wake Joe. The wonderful Destination Services team, who know us well by now, reassured me not to rush him and quietly moved us to the 8.45am tender, which immediately took the pressure off the morning.

We were anchored offshore at Komodo, so today involved tendering into port. Ironically, this turned out to be the smoothest tender ride of the entire trip — but that was where the ease ended.



The Adventure Begins…

Our first challenge arrived immediately at the pier:
steep stone steps, no guard rails. Mr C was not impressed, but with patience and support from the crew, he made it safely up.

We were then split into groups and transferred onto a traditional wooden fishing boat to take us to Pink Beach. Challenge number two involved:

  • Going back down the same stone steps

  • Stepping directly onto the boat

  • Sitting on plastic chairs on deck

  • No life jackets

Joe was, understandably, less than delighted.

When we reached Pink Beach, challenge number three awaited:

  • Climbing a ladder up the boat

  • Crossing onto pier steps

  • Walking along a wooden pier — again, initially without guard rails

The boat crew were absolutely outstanding, staying close and ensuring Joe felt supported every step of the way. Eventually, we made it safely onto the beach and settled under one of the shaded areas with tables and chairs.

Pink Beach Magic



And then… the reward.
Pink Beach is truly magical. A place that feels untouched, wild, and deeply special.

Joe quickly changed and headed straight into the sea. Today he chose to swim rather than snorkel, saying he could still see plenty without mask or fins. My role? Official photographer, capturing him in his absolute happy place, while the guide kept a discreet but watchful eye on him.

After his first swim, Joe treated himself to a fresh coconut — sadly warm rather than refreshing — followed by another swim. Then came the declaration: “Time for a local beer.”

While Joe relaxed, I walked along the shoreline, feet in the warm sea and silky pink sand, exploring quietly. We browsed the small local stalls and chose a beautiful tray — something Joe will use daily and be reminded of this extraordinary place.



I took time to meditate on the sand, read my book, and simply be. I even went searching for a Komodo dragon (no luck), but I did spot a Pumba, which made me smile. Later at dinner, Shalene one of the lovely wine waiters told us there’s also a Pink Beach in the Philippines — and they have Pumbas too!



The Journey Back

All too soon, it was time to leave. Because other groups were slower returning, our boat was pulled directly alongside the pier — meaning we had to jump onto the roof of the boat and climb back down. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, but we managed.

Back at Komodo port, they thankfully allowed us to step straight into the tender, making the return much smoother.

Once onboard, it was straight to the shower and then lunch at La Verandah — Joe’s favourite — accompanied by a few glasses of something sparkly.

Backstage Magic



The afternoon brought another special Grand Voyage event:
a behind-the-scenes experience with Patricio and the Navigator Production Team. We learned what life is like backstage, met the entire team, watched costume-change demos, enjoyed a Q&A, and even saw some brave guests attempt a challenge on stage.

We were then split into small groups for a true behind-the-scenes tour, before returning to the stage for photos with the full cast — such a privilege and a wonderful insight into how much work goes into the shows we love.

Joe then headed off to the trivia quiz, where his team came second.

A Sobering Moment

Sadly, later in the evening we received the heartbreaking news of the passing of Hanny, one of Joe’s childhood friends. So many family festivals and memories shared. A huge loss for the Gibraltar community, and a moment that truly brings everything into perspective — a reminder to live fully, love openly, and never leave words unsaid.

Dinner was at Compass Rose. Joe was delighted to see his miso fish on the menu, and I couldn’t help but smile when I spotted banoffee pie — which always brings thoughts of my beloved brother.



Tonight the weather has turned wild and stormy — heavy rain, thunder, and lightning lighting up the sky.

Tomorrow is a sea day, giving us space to rest, reflect, and gently reset after such a powerful day.

✨ Daily Reflection

Today was a profound reminder of how fragile and precious life is. Joy and sorrow can sit side by side — a perfect day in paradise, followed by news that stops you in your tracks. It reinforces why presence, gratitude, and connection matter more than anything else.

🌟 Highlight of the Day

💗 Pink Beach, Komodo
Not just for its beauty, but for watching Joe in his element — swimming freely, smiling, alive — and for the quiet moments of stillness that reminded me how incredibly lucky we are to be living this life, right now.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 7 - Lanzarote: Sunshine, Family, and a Tale of Two Ports

Image
The day began in a haze — quite literally. A thick morning fog had settled over the ocean, and for a while, the ship’s horn sounded regularly as we carefully made our approach toward Arrecife, Lanzarote . The mysterious mist wrapped around us like a soft blanket, but as we neared the island, the clouds lifted , revealing a clear blue sky and glorious sunshine. Disembarkation was a little slow today, as most of the excursions were departing at the same time, but eventually we were off the ship and ready for a wonderful reunion. Cousin Joe had sent us detailed directions and was waiting patiently for us at the port. Or so we thought! As we stepped out, we began walking… and walking… and walking . Poor Joe’s back was not particularly pleased about this unexpected trek, and as we checked in with Cousin Joe, he reassured us he was “just nearby.” What none of us realised was that there are two ports in Lanzarote — we had docked at the old commercial port , while Cousin Joe was waiting ...
Read more

Day 5 - A Day Without Wi-Fi: Casablanca Adventures and Serendipity at Sea

Image
  Another beautiful morning greeted us as we sailed into Casablanca — sunlight glinting off the water as we arrived into the port. There was an immediate sense of arrival in a city filled with colour, culture, and history. But as we soon discovered, Casablanca had a little surprise in store for us. Because it’s a naval port , all Wi-Fi was cut as soon as we docked — and it stayed that way for many hours, long after we had left the harbour. At first, the silence felt strange, a sudden digital stillness in our usually connected world. But as the hours passed, it began to feel… refreshing. A day without Wi-Fi turned out to be a quiet gift — unless, of course, you’re Joe! Joe had to head into town to collect the medicines that were missing from our luggage. Since no taxis are allowed into the port and the shuttle bus had already left, two kind gentlemen kindly offered him a lift into town . It was such a lovely reminder of the goodness of strangers and the small kindnesses that m...
Read more

Day 3 - Our First Day at Sea: Finding Our Rhythm

Image
  There’s something magical about waking to the gentle movement of the ocean. This morning, I slipped out onto the deck just as the sun began to rise — soft hues of pink and gold spilling across the sky. The ship was quiet except for the sound of the waves, and it felt like the perfect setting for a mindful start to the day. I walked the deck, breathing in the salty air and feeling gratitude wash over me with each step. After my morning walk, I found a quiet spot for meditation and my daily EFT tapping session — a grounding way to tune into the energy of the sea and the peace of the moment. Afterwards, I treated myself to a blissful morning in the spa — a pampering start that left me feeling completely relaxed and radiant. Meanwhile, Joe enjoyed a lazy, leisurely morning in our suite catching up on his broken nights sleep. We met later for a lovely lunch in the Compass Rose restaurant, enjoying fresh, beautifully prepared dishes and the gentle hum of conversation around us. J...
Read more