A Relaxing Cruise to the Bahamas
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01:58 Thank you so much for joining us. My name's Thomas and I'm your host. Tonight's story is dedicated to one of our lovely listeners, whose special request led to us writing and recording it for you all to enjoy. Thank you to Joe Stier for bringing it to life, and it was a privilege for me to be able to record it. I hope this one brings a smile to everyone's faces. In just a few minutes, we'll go aboard a cruise ship
02:34 where the Jensen's are relaxing with their two adult daughters. It's the first family vacation they've taken in years, a trip they've dreamt of making for just as long, then experience life aboard a luxury cruise ship. alongside the wonders of the Bahamas. Their stop-off includes an encounter with dolphins, a lasting memory for them all to treasure. First, let's give ourselves a few quiet moments
03:19 and ease into a restful state. Shuffle into whatever position feels most comfortable to you and close your eyes as soon as you're ready. We're going to perform a couple of guided breaths, inhaling gently through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. We'll breathe in to the count of four, hold for just a second, before breathing out to the count of six.
04:05 So let's begin now. Breathing in, two, three, four, and hold. Then out, two, three, four, five, six. In again, two, three, four. Hold and out. Two, three, four, five, six. Well done. Now take a moment to check in with your body as your breathing returns to its natural rhythm. Lean in to any feelings of comfort within the body.
05:03 Let yourself sink into a state of relaxation. There's nothing else to do but listen and rest. So, picture an endless. ocean, with sunlight sparkling on its deep blue surface. This is where our story begins. The state-of-the-art cruise ship makes its way across the ocean. The vessel glides through the cobalt blue waves beneath a clear blue sky filled with dazzling sunshine. Some might describe the ship as a floating hotel. Though it's closer to a modern city, both in size and features, rows of cabins along its sides are fronted by balconies, with glass balustrades that resemble the
06:45 windows of a skyscraper. From above, the upper deck looks like something from a dream. There are swimming pools, watersides, sun loungers, even a garden. The Jonsons have been aboard for just one day and night. Having boarded yesterday morning, they immediately settled into life on the seas. Already, the vessel feels like home. Perhaps that's the side effect of the family being together. They are at home in each other's company. Wherever they are, it's been a long time since they vacationed together. And that only makes the trip feel more special. Peter and Susan are in their late 60s,
07:59 and their two girls are grown up with families of their own. Megan and Jessica are in their 30s and early 40s. though they feel far younger in the company of their parents. They fall right back into their old dynamic, poking fun at one another, laughing and joking, like mischievous children. Only now, mum and dad are in on the joke, and far more like friends than they were when they were younger. In their senior years, Peter and Susan have relaxed. They've become much more carefree versions of themselves. Right now, the foursome of finishing off their breakfast,
09:08 sitting around a table in the ship's upper bistro. They've chosen a table outside on the veranda, where the sea air enriches every breath. The breakfast buffet offers every food imaginable, including hot and cold options, and a range of juices and hot drinks. There are cereals, yoghirts, cooked breakfasts and pastries, and fruits in every color of the rainbow. each member of the family has selected exactly what they wanted, essentially putting together
10:00 their dream breakfast. They've all eaten more mindfully than they usually would, unconsciously slowing down to suit their environment. The family chat between mouthfuls of breakfast. The mood is relaxed. and spirits are high. Megan can't believe how comfortable the beds are. Jessica is just happy not to need an alarm. A waiter comes around carrying a pot of fresh coffee and tops up the cups on the table. Its rich and powerful scent comes into the foreground for a moment.
10:57 before fading into a blend of other food smells and fresh sea air. It's so nice, says Jessica, to drink a cup of coffee and have the time to really enjoy it, to smell the aroma and taste the flavour, to notice the feel of the porcelain cup against the skin, even better to be here on the cruise ship, surrounded by an expanse of endless blue waves. To be outside on the decking where the sun warms the skin, and the cool sea breeze ruffles the hair and clothes. Susan finishes her panacheocola, a far more indulgent breakfast. than her usual. She declares that it was delicious, washing it down with a sip of milky coffee. Next, Susan reaches for a leaflet on the table and checks the itinerary for the umpteenth time.
12:29 She's read it several times over, including twice allowed to the family. Still, no one complains when she does so again. There is something very sweet, particularly for Susan's daughters, to see their mother's almost childlike excitement. Her face glows in the morning sunlight, and her mouth seems to be set in a permanent smile. Soon they'll be in the Bahamas. where the ship will dock at the capital, Nassau, they'll take a 30-minute ferry ride to the Blue
13:23 Lagoon, where they'll get to meet bottlenose dolphins. This is what the Jansons have been looking forward to the most. The whole reason why they chose this particular voyage, the ship and the setting are just an added bonus, next to the charge. to meet these beautiful creatures. Megan and Jessica have been crazy about dolphins ever since they were little girls. They'd pretend to have flippers when they swam in the pool, keeping their legs together and whipping their feet like a tail. They always talked about what it would be like if they ever got the chance to swim with dolphins.
14:23 But it was never any more than a distant dream, one that grew more distant with each passing year. Maybe that's why the grown women feel so young. They're about to realize their childhood dream. After all this time, they're going to swim with dolphins, and their mum and dad will be right there. with them. Less than an hour later, the ship arrives, pulling into the cruise port in Nassau. The Jansons disembark with countless others, strolling across the gangway onto the stone jetty. Having returned to their cabin after breakfast, they've all freshened up and gathered anything they might need. they're each adorned in swimwear beneath light summery outfits, a mix of shorts, bright tops,
15:45 and colorful sarongs. Susan passed around the sun lotion, insisting that everyone apply generous amounts. It's the same brand that she's used for decades now. The scent is slightly floral with a hint of banana. For Jessica and Megan, it's a long-forgotten scent, one that triggers an array of happy feelings. The lotion on their skin smells like family vacations and good times spent together throughout the summers of their childhood. And now it's becoming part of a brand new memory. The time they took a cruise to the Bahamas, it'll be easy to remember, because everyone is so present as they stroll along the jetty at the side of the ship. At first, their view is almost completely obscured by both their own cruise ship and others in the port.
17:15 But then they turn a corner heading away from the ships, and the island is revealed in all its glory. Straight away, it is all that they'd hoped for. White sandy beaches that look as soft as powdered sugar, and turquoise seas shimmering beneath the sun, rows of swaying palm trees pepper the landscape between brightly painted buildings of every color. The family wander along at a leisurely pace. What other way is there when you're in the Bahamas? Their sandals and flip-flops echo across the stone, alongside those of the tourists ahead of them and Bahamas.
18:25 The footsteps punctuate the tropical soundscape of birds singing and leaves rustling in the breeze. Water laps gently at either side of the jetty, which rocks back and forth in the softest of rhythms. The shallow port displays every shade of turquoise. Some parts are greener, aquamarine, maybe cyan. Ripples decorate every inch of its surface. Many highlighted in white and gold sunshine. The sea beside the docks is a deeper, darker blue, closer to lapis than anything else. They stroll beneath the shade of a waterfront gazebo, following the crowd to where the ferry is waiting.
19:43 Eventually, the crowd's footsteps slow to a stop, and a queue forms on the walkway. Megan jokes that their father must be happy. He doesn't even complain about having to wait. One by one, their boarding passes are checked, and they are invited aboard the small ferry. The family take their seats on the uppermost deck, where the windows are fully open to let in the sea breeze. They've only been seated for a couple of minutes, when the captain's voice sounds out from the loudspeaker.
20:39 He welcomes them aboard in a Bahamian accent. His tone is warm and friendly and overwhelmingly cheerful. They'll arrive at their destination, Blue Lagoon Island, in about 30 minutes time, the captain says. For now, the passengers can just enjoy the ride. He'll bring their attention to some of the sights. along the way, so they can learn a little more about the Bahamas. At this point, the ferry has already left the dock. Its engine emits a low-pitched hum, a soothing drone beneath the melody of lapping water, salty air wafts in through the windows, as the ship's sails around Nassau's coastline,
21:51 you'd think that the Jansons would be used to boat rides. But a ferry tour is worlds away from what it's like on the cruise ship. On a cruise, you're more detached, more distant from your surroundings, but on the ferry, the land and sea feel like they're almost within grasp. It's nice to see different parts of the Bahamas. and even better to learn about them from the captain. He tells the passengers that there are around 700 islands and thousands of smaller caves made of sand or coral. Though only 30 of the islands are inhabited by people,
22:53 and more than half live on new providence where the ferry departed from. The Jansons are seated on the right-hand side of the boat. New Providence and Nassau are behind them to the left. Their view is dominated by an enormous bridge up ahead, one that connects New Providence to its neighbouring island. It seems to grow larger with every passing moment, as the ferry sails towards it, charting a course between the islands. Cars look tiny and people even smaller when seen from below on the soaring archway. The captain tells them the name of the other island. Just as the ferry emerges from beneath the bridge, Paradise Island comes fully into view
24:08 over to the right of the ship where the Jansons are sitting. Everyone agrees that it's a fitting name, and what most people would imagine a tropical paradise to be. White cosines are luminous in the sunshine, while trees and bushes inland are every shade of vivid green. Even from a distance, the palm trees, look enormous. Larger than any, the Jansons have ever seen. The palm trees are dwarfed by some of the buildings behind them. Massive resorts and luxury hotels. One with stone towers reminiscent
25:07 of a castle, they add to a diverse mix of accommodation alongside low-rise pastile buildings, beach, beachside huts and lodges. The captain reels off a list of Hollywood stars who apparently own properties on the island. He points out the names of popular beaches and a spot where people snorkel, exploring underwater statues. At first, the ferry is one of a number of boats, including yachts, catamaranes and fish. boats, but the water becomes quieter once they're out in the open, and Paradise Island fades into the distance. Every now and then, they hear the coring of seagulls, the distinctive
26:20 call of the local laughing gull. The families share a chuckle at the sound of the bird. It really does resemble a human laugh. For the most part, everyone is happy not to talk, and to just sit and relax instead, looking out at the water. The ferry rocks gently, and the sea breeze is incredibly refreshing. The 30-minute voyage feels like no time at all. Still, they're delighted to catch sight of land ahead and feel the ferry beginning to slow down. The captain announces that they're approaching their destination and the passengers clap and cheer in response. The Jansons wear various expressions of pleasure from blissful contentment to childlike glee. The captain sails the boat around the coastline, past colonial-style buildings in pretty pinks and yellows, and palm
27:55 trees of every shape and size. A wooden signpost emerges above the bushes on a crack, welcoming visitors to Blue Lagoon Island. The ferry turns a corner after passing the sign, and the passengers' feel the boat begin to slow right down. They pull in at a wooden pier just across from a shoreline of tropical white sands. The captain reminds passengers of when he'll be back to pick them up. Until then, he hopes they have a wonderful day. If they get a chance to visit the beachside cafe. Their switcher, or limaid, is the best in the Bahamas. Just a few minutes later,
29:07 the Jansons are on land, navigating their way across the sandy paths. The ground is so soft beneath their flip-flops and sandals. Susan gushes that it's like walking on clouds. paths weave and wind in different directions between bushes and palm trees and all manner of buildings. Yet, finding their way around requires very little effort, with the island being small and very well signposted. They're all looking forward to visiting the beach, maybe sampling some local snacks. after a dip in the sea. They've brought everything they might need for an afternoon on the sand, but all of that comes later, after they've met the dolphins.
30:25 Megan and Jessica walk behind their parents, laughing and joking, feeling younger by the minute. It's surreal to be in a place they've dreamt about so often. in their minds, since they were children. Peter and Susan set a gentle pace in front. Arms swaying by their sides. They take in the nature as they wander. From the unfamiliar song of exotic birds, to the fibrous tree trunks of palms by the path, the island seems quieter away from the main beach, and the sounds of nature come to the fore. Waves rise and fall in continuous rhythm.
31:31 Trees shake in the breeze, leaves rustling like pom-poms. The Bahamian village features low wooden buildings, fronted with verandas and railings. Each one has been painted in its own unique colors. Excitement builds as they approach a building, brilliant white and luminous in the sunshine. Turquoise accents include the shape of a dolphin, made to look like it's swimming in the space beneath the rooftop. A small group is gathered on the raised decking at the front,
32:29 They're visible through the gaps in the surrounding white balustrade. The Jansons ascend a stairway onto the veranda, where they join the other tourists and a female staff member. The friendly woman takes their names and checks over a few details, making notes on a clipboard. Then she addresses the group, introducing herself as Crystal. She's a dolphin trainer and will be their guide today. She has a particular interest in habitat protection and local conservation efforts to ensure bottlenose dolphins have safe and healthy waters to live in for years to come. Her passion for the creatures is immediately obvious. As she talks the group through what's about to happen, Crystal is well suited to working with people.
33:52 She exudes an easy confidence that puts everyone at ease. Alongside the Jansons, there are two other couples, one with a girl of maybe ten. They're all complete strangers, but you wouldn't know it to see them. Everyone is smiling and cracking jokes like friends. Too happy and relaxed to feel awkward around new people. It's hard to imagine feeling anything but joy, considering where they are and what they're about to do. Their route along the boardwalk is visible behind Crystal, between sunlit water, seemingly veiled in gold. Once Crystal has explained all they need to know, she asks the group to follow her down to the water. The walkway forms a right angle down the middle of the bay, extending vertically out to sea and returning left towards the land.
35:25 The land forms a crescent shape around the water between a large opening, where boats sail in and out ahead of the Jansons. The ten-year-old girl exclaims that it's like being in a movie. Her father laughs, as do others in the group. She's not wrong, Peter agrees. They walk a route flanked by pure white shores, and the clearest water the family has ever seen. Further out, it transitions to turquoise. A light shade at first, becoming deeper with the water. A small white boat is paused on the right, against a backdrop of furtimore.
36:32 rugged land, blanketed in green. An old stone watchtower pokes up above the bushes, looking out to sea near the opening of the bay. The land to the left is dotted with different buildings, and there are rows of of coconut palms with slim, tall trunks. Some leaning, as if they're relaxing in the sun, the sea. The sea is A series of large awnings stationed in the water come fully into view further down the jetty. The canopies offer shelter to the seating areas below. Rectangular platforms, tiled like pool sides. Just five minutes later, the group is heading towards the platform, dressed in their swimwear and flip-flops or sandals. They've stored their belongings in a nearby locker for safekeeping. They follow crystal
37:57 to a slope that leads down from the boardwalk onto a tiled dock that sits inches above the water. From here, they can walk onto the rectangular platform and take a seat on the tiles beneath the shade of the awning. There's plenty of space for the group of nine to sit together, legs dangling into the water on one side of the seating. Megan and Jessica are positively giddy as they take a seat beside their parents at the end of the line. They face inwards towards crystal in the water. She He smiles broadly and blows a high-pitched whistle. A flash of silver appears beneath the surface. As Crystal tells the group they're about to meet Trevor.
39:15 It's a funny name for the handsome creature who pops his head above the water moments later. The bottlenose dolphin looks towards the group. His mouth curved upwards, as if he's smiling. His skin is a mix of silver and grey, darker around the back and lighter beneath the chin. Dark fins are visible beneath the surface, gently flapping back and forth. His small dark eyes are on the sides of his head, below a domed forehead and boffered. shape snout, above the water, his wet skin gleams, sparkling like treasure, where it reflects the sun.
40:24 Crystal reaches out and pat's Trevor on the head. The dolphin responds with a series of squeaks and whistles. He seems very much at ease in front of the strangers. In fact, he looks to be enjoying the attention. Dolphins like Trevor, Crystal explains, grow up in pods of between 10 and 15 animals. They are innately sociable, preferring to hunt and play together, helping one another to raise calves in the pod. They communicate through a range of sounds and movements, from squeaks and whistons.
41:19 squeaks and whistles to leaping out of the water, from playfully splashing to even butting heads. As if to prove her point, Trevor opens his mouth, producing a short burst of whistles that sound like his laughing. The captivated group have been watching quietly. But at this point, there are gasps. followed by giggles, and Trevor isn't done. He bobs up in the water, slapping his fin on the surface, purposely splashing the audience. Trevor is quite the character, Crystal says, with a grin. He's a sweet creature and loves to play.
42:28 Like all dolphins, he's also an excellent swim. capable of diving hundreds of meters beneath the surface and able to reach speeds of 30 kilometers an hour. Why don't you show them? Crystal asks the dolphin. She gestures with her hand and off he goes. Trevor ducks down and glides under the water. His streamlined movements, fast yet graceful, the dolphin twists and turns like a giant silver ribbon,
43:20 darting in and out of the platformed area. It feels like a game to catch sight of him for a second as he vanishes and reappears again and again. Over there, Peter points, spotting the dorsal fin. on Trevor's back. But by the time the others look, the dolphin has vanished. Peter laughs like a schoolboy, looking far younger than his years. As the creature reappears in the opposite direction, all eyes are fixed on the water. As the dolphin swims out beneath where they're sitting, He surprises them all by coming back to the left, leaping up above the water and diving down again with a splash.
44:34 Megan nudges Jessica, amazed at the dolphin's size. Out of the water, he's revealed to be far larger than she thought. According to Crystal, he's about three meters long. That's about 10 feet, which is average for a dolphin. At this, the dolphin appears behind the platform and leaps up in the air, far higher than before. Susan turns to the others with a wide smile on her face and says, I don't think Trevor appreciated being called average. Crystal confirms that it is quite the show-off, as Trevor continues to swim, leap and dive.
45:39 He spends the next few minutes entertaining the group with all manner of acrobatics. A number of his moves seem to end with a splash, affectionately directed towards the humans. So they're all pretty wet before they even get into the water, climbing down the steps at either side of the platform. They form a neat line in front of where they'd been sitting, enjoying the feeling of the cool water on a warm day. It would be clear as glass if it weren't for the patterns. The patchwork of moving run.
46:32 ripples that decorate its surface. This is the bit that has everyone most excited. The part, when they get to meet to the dolphin, Crystal stands behind them, gesturing towards Trevor, who swims up and down the line, surveying the humans. It's utterly magical to be inches from the dolphin, to see the way he looks and the way he moves up close. Better still, to be able to reach out a hand at Crystal's say-so and gently stroke the creature's back. Megan stands at the end of the line beside Jessica, Susan, Peter, and the others. She assumed she was at the the back and therefore last to meet the dolphin. But she's delighted to realize that the opposite is true. It's actually Megan whom Trevor approaches first, resting his snout on her shoulder
48:06 and moving in for a hug. She rests her hands on his sides and closes her eyes, wanting to savour every second of this wonderful moment when it's Jessica's turn, she says, nice to meet you, Trevor, then opens her arms and welcomes a cuddle. He whistles in response and nestles into her shoulder, before moving on to her mother beside her. Both of their parents share a cuddle with the dolphin, Susan is moved to the point of happy tears. When it's finished with Peter, the dolphin lets out a squawk, thrusts his snout into the water, and gives him a good splash. Everyone laughs, his family most of all.
49:24 For them, it's a moment that thou'll never forget. They're still laughing and joking when the pictures are taken and the memory is captured in a photograph. Peter buys three framed copies, one for him and Susan, and one for each of his daughters. The frames are made of woven straw, handcrafted by local artisans. The photograph itself shows the family in the wall. water, huddled together, arms around one another. Trevor the dolphin is in the foreground. He is grinning towards the camera, adorable as ever. Hours later, when the family are on the beach.
50:35 Megan takes the photograph out of her bag. She studies the picture from the comfort of her sun lounger, wrapped in a beach towel, drying off after a swim. Though they only met the dolphin a short while ago, it already feels surreal to see him pictured. It's as if her mind is still processing what happened, trying to work out whether it was real or a dream. The magical creature was all all she hoped for and more, beautiful, magnificent, and surprisingly amusing. She chuckles at the thought of her father getting splashed, and her heart swells when she remembers the feel of the dolphin's snout, resting on her shoulders.
51:54 What she likes most of all when she looks at the photo are the happy expressions on the faces of her family, her parents and her sister. All four of them are beaming. Some caught mid-l laughter, their arms around each other, hauled in close. the photograph is a snapshot of a moment in time, but also of who they are as a family.
52:35 It captures the love they have for one another, the feeling that when they're together, they can be themselves completely. Megan turns the thought over in her mind, As she places the photo back in the bag, she sips her cool switcher from a plastic cup. It's sweet and zesty, made with limes as well as lemon. Her dad and Jessica are still swimming in the sea. Megan can hear them laughing, even from afar. The sound is carried on the sea. trees above the rhythmic waves and the palm trees rustling along the beach.
53:43 Her mum is laid out on a nearby sun lounger, an upturned book resting on her chest. She's wearing sunglasses, but Megan can tell that she's asleep. Her breathing is slow, so wonderfully relaxed. Megan smiles at the sight as she adjusts her sunlanger. She lies down on her back once it's fully reclined. There's still a few hours before the ferry returns and takes them back to the luxury of the cruise ship. There's plenty of time for Megan to close her eyes and bask in the glow of warm sunlight.
54:48 to listen to the waves rising and falling, matching her own breath to its soothing rhythm. The crowns of palm trees rustle like pom-poms behind her, punctuated now and then by the twittering of local birds. Nearby food stores emit the aromas of the Caribbean. freshly baked cornbread, spiced seafood, and sweet fruits. They waft across the beach, blending with the sea air, and the familiar scent of sun cream on Megan's own skin. Her limbs grow heavy as she breathes in the sense, and waves of comfort wash over her. Thoughts fade away, followed by sensations as she drifts off into a peaceful sleep.
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