Deep Sea - Providenciales
Turks & Caicos Islands
Today was the big day: we were booked on a deep sea fishing boat.Although we were all provided the opportunity, only Eli took up a reel.
He has always wanted to try this out, since he was a very small boy.
Alissa took a seat next to our skipper, the boys took up seats
in the cabin below. Four other fisherman seated themselves on
the stern deck, as the First Mate, Peter, busied himself setting
up the seven different lines we would be trolling from the boat.
but I didn't want to take any dramamine. I figured if I just threw up, I'd
be better afterwards. In the end, I never did get seasick, amazingly.
We motored out of the protected waters of Turtle Cove into a serene
Grace Bay. Threading through a well-buoyed channel, Captain Arthur
piloted the Fair Play into the mighty North Atlantic ocean.
was anchored. We didn't see anybody onboard. We assumed its occupants were ashore.
Later, I learned that it is up for sale... for about $16 million! As I gawked at this superyacht,
the first mate unreeled the numerous trolling lines that fan out from the boat frame.
The Silver Deep company is his business, and he has a very interesting personal history as well.
Captain Arthur Dean told me he even has a dually pickup truck. Two wheels more than me!
Sometime in our second hour on board, many several miles offshore,
there was a mighty tug on one of the fishing poles. Peter gave a shout,
Arthur powered down, and Eli took up the fighting chair. Peter kept a
guide's hand on the fishing line as Eli rocked and reeled his catch in.
trips while we were snorkeling, but this was completely differrent for me.
Our grown first-born son was hauling in a writhing sea creature, easily
three-feet-long. Peter lifted the wildly-struggling from the stern and slammed
it into a long cooler filled with ice, flinging his own body atop the lid. This was
no time to extract the fish hook, obviously. We were pretty happy for Eli!
closed themselves off from even me, just as they have always done. It's fun
to stand "outside" their conversations; I admire that they each have a brother.
I've always wondered what it's like to have a brother... a fellow prince... After a time, they joined Alissa & I on the bridge, just as the seas came alive.
Meanwhile, one of our fellow fishermen hooked a mackerel... an actual meal!
Not very tasty, we were assured. Peter fileted the mackerel for our fellow
fishermen, in less than a minute. We boarded the bus back to our Beaches
resort, where everyone parted ways. Alissa & I headed to the French Village.
its buildings were short and quite far apart, which allowed the trade winds
to rake pool and sun worshipper alike. Other unsavory factors included a
rather snooty British lad who ridiculed some American girls simply for being
American, and the early closing of the pool bar. We exited the French quarter
and headed straight back to our home turf, the warm and sheltered Italian Village.
we went to beach to meet a photographer for sunset
portraits. We took many, of which one of the best
is posted here. Tonight was the barbecue on the beach.
It was like a fancy picnic under the light of tiki torches, and
a fire eater... (don't try this at home!)
 Kids! Have you ever tasted lighter fluid?? 5 April 2013 |
 Fire in the hole! Guess he's hungry... 5 April 2013 |
 Caught it! The spinning baton trick 5 April 2013 |
 It's a talent show for all the kids 5 April 2013 |
the boys retired to the room while Alissa & I took a quiet little walk
on the beach. We finished with a nightcap at the Cricketers Pub...
(That's right, more karaoke). Leaving the next day, I wasn't allowed to take any pictures
at the airport, for security reasons. We flew to Dallas, had an over-
night layover in a nice hotel, then flew back to the high plains the
next day. Impulsively, I snapped a few photos from the Texas skies...
All images © 2013 EBBoykin, Jr
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