April 6 , 2004
Red Shanks, Exumas

Hello, long time no see. How you've been? Well then. We shall write a little update from our last days in the Exumas. The gist of it is that we had fantabulous time getting to know each other and to see if this particular blend of madness represented by a peculiar polak (yes it is polak not a polack like some would have you believe) and a touch insane Tobi would work. I am happy to report that it indeed produced a happy little team that disturbs monotony of all major anchorage (and some minor ones) with spontaneous outburst of songs that are sometimes way too loud, mostly out of tune and yeah, definitely have no sense to no one else. A rare modifications of one-liners from tunes once heard before.

Seriously now. Tobi has threatened me since her arrival that on her first sighting of a dolphin she'd promptly go overboard regardless of time and place. Luckily for me it didn't happen upon entering any inlet or while dodging clusters of coral heads but right here in Elizabeth's Harbour in Georgetown.

Now I know what you think. The dolphin would, like any other sea creature, ignore those white skinned, funny land animals called humans that are way out of their depths in the water. Indeed - a baby dolphin, just under 4ft of it, swam away at the first splash of water and ultrasound of excited squeals from Tobi. But then, to my amazement it turned around and came right up to her. Tobi, as blind as a bat without her contacts, was totally unaware of it. By then the whole anchorage was alerted that Tobi, once again, was up to something and everyone came out to see what was it this time, all shouting and pointing to her this baby dolphin now right under her. Shortly after the dolphin, I am sure of it, too distracted by the sounds that cannot possibly be human, swam away, this time jumping really high out of the water in lieu of a more proper good-bye. For next two days I was listening to a song "Baby dolphin swam to me" that Tobi, like any other three year old made up on the spot.

Coming to Red Shanks was our desperate attempt to escape clutches of the Georgetown and it's Batelco office where we accessed our email and the Internet. We were also very happy to see our friends from Amber Isle again and to play hearts with our buddy Chris, an addiction that would also have to go soon. By the way, in case someone wants to know, Chris is responsible for introducing me to Dark and Stormy - a mix of ginger beer and rum. But it was Tobi who purchased some 4 bottles of local alcohol. For the record. Right.

(M)