Monday started rough. Real rough. The coffee maker was still out of commission, marking day three of caffeine withdrawal. I know, I know, dramatic, but for a coffee addict like myself, it was practically the dark ages. I soldiered on to work, though, and sent a lifeline text to Darren, hoping Do It Best would deliver a caffeinated miracle with their Tuesday shipment. Dave was off for Easter Monday and took advantage of the free time with a trip into town in the afternoon while I finished up work.
Tuesday Dave even checked Bizzy B for a caffeine fix for me, but their coffee maker had also kicked the bucket. A caffeine conspiracy, perhaps? Darren initially reported a coffee maker-free shipment, but then, like a beacon of hope in the darkness, a message arrived: one coffee maker found! Dave, ever the hero, detoured to Do It Best on his way home. Sweet caffeine salvation was at hand! Those few days without my morning brew were a true test of endurance.
After work, Dave and I headed into town, but our date plans went a little sideways. I ended up at The Hideaway, while Dave went to Swinging Doors. Apparently, Dave thought this was a date that I bailed on, but I countered that he never told me it was a date! Despite the slight miscommunication, we both had a good time.
Wednesday. Oh, glorious Wednesday! The day my new coffee maker was christened. I even sacrificed the last of my creamer for that first, heavenly cup. Work was blessedly productive and uneventful. The only downside? A nasty kink in my neck from my one-ear headset. A reminder to switch sides more often. Right ear, you’ve been warned!
After work, it was girls’ night, starting at Colibri and ending at Swinging Doors. A fun night, but I cut it short. Albus, my furry little buddy, had a tummy ache, and I didn’t want to leave him waiting if it got worse. A responsible dog mom’s gotta do what a responsible dog mom’s gotta do.
Thursday was a day of wins, big and small. First, we got the green light to move into Daphne Cottage on May 1st! Cue the happy dance! My company announced their biannual team-building excursion and offered to fly in those of us who lived more than three hours away. I cheekily inquired if that included flying me in from Saba. To my surprise, they’d already crunched the numbers and given it the thumbs up. And finally, Dave might have stumbled upon a way for me to actually make some money writing about Saba. Stay tuned for updates on that front!
Thursday night, I connected with Jason. I had a stash of Cape May Peanut Butter Company goodies shipped to him in anticipation of my May visit. I attempted to get to bed at a reasonable hour, knowing my dad’s arrival on Saba was imminent, but my old nemesis, insomnia, decided to crash the party.
Friday dawned, bringing with it the arrival of my dad. His flights were blessedly uneventful, and he landed safely on Saba around 4 pm. Dave, ever the gracious host, picked him up from the airport and brought him back to our place for a brief meet-and-greet. From there, we got him checked in at Juliana’s and presented him with a welcome package. Anise gifted him a bottle of homemade banana liquor (thanks, Anise!), and I included a puzzle book and some local treats. Dinner followed at Brigadoon, where I indulged in the duck with orange sauce special again. So good! We capped off the evening at Swinging Doors, where my dad met Eddie, the owner, and a few other locals. Eddie was incredibly welcoming, and my dad seemed to enjoy the atmosphere. Travel fatigue eventually won, and we called it a night.
Saturday morning, Dave caught up with my dad at breakfast during his morning hike with Albus. After getting ready, we headed back to Juliana’s to give my dad a tour of the island, including The Bottom and Well’s Bay. I made a pit stop at Island Flavor for frozen coffees, while Dave proudly showed my dad his office.
We then spent some time at Lily Pond Cottage, my dad’s charming Saban abode for the weekend, complete with a koi pond and outdoor sitting area. While Dave returned home to tend to Albus, my dad and I engaged in a fierce Uno battle. I was consistently losing, and he emerged victorious as the reigning island champion.
We joined the rest of our group for a sunset cruise at Tank’d. After lunch and drinks, we boarded the boat at 4 pm. Getting on board was a bit of a challenge, thanks to the significant drop, but we all managed to make it on without falling into the Caribbean. The loop around the island was, shall we say, “spirited.” There was a moment where I questioned my life choices, as my dad was eyeing me with daggers from across the boat. But once we anchored near Diamond Rock, the experience became much more pleasant. We had a nice time chatting and enjoying the sunset. Cyril, our designated driver, picked us up around 7 pm and took us back to Juliana’s for a nightcap before we all headed to bed.
Sunday morning, Dave and Albus embarked on their walk but didn’t find my dad at breakfast. They checked his cottage and caught him just as he was heading to Tropics. After Dave returned home, we took care of a few tasks, including a bath for Albus in preparation for his first island grooming appointment. We headed down to my dad’s around 10 am and then grabbed a bite to eat at Island Paradise. It had just opened, and Dave hadn’t been there yet, so it seemed like a good option. Plus, they’re one of the few places open on Sundays…lol
After our meal, we returned home for some patio conversation with my dad. Dave dropped us and our neighbor, Anne, off at the Harry L Johnson Museum for the Art in The Park wine tasting and then headed to Albus’ grooming appointment. The wine tasting was a hit, and we ran into a ton of people we knew. My dad seemed to appreciate the strong sense of community on Saba. While he might not be ready to move here himself, he now has a better understanding of why Dave and I love this little island so much.
All in all, it was a busy but wonderful week. From battling caffeine withdrawal to showing my dad around Saba, it was filled with its fair share of ups and downs. But seeing my dad appreciate the island and its community made it all worthwhile. Until next time, folks!