Arriving safely in Florida

Day two in Miami, Florida, in the US of A! Actually, to be precise I am in Fort Lauderdale in a marina named Royal Palm Yacht Basin on the INVICTUS. For my dear friends and family, I have arrived safely after a very tedious long flight across the pacific. Qantas decided to let us sit for almost 2 hours on the tarmac at Tullamarine before heading into the skies. Considering its a 14 hour flight, none of the passengers were too happy about that. I managed to watch some 4 movies which were the very the latest on demand. New planes do have some great advantages!

My gorgeous Becky and I traveled the airport together after my friend Sue took us to the airport bus at 5.30am. Thank you so much Sue! We ate a less than satisfactory breakfast at the airport but enjoyed being together before we both took to the skies in opposite directions. She is now in Singapore and I here. I can't wait to see her already on the way home to Oz!

My skipper Tom is a warm friendly fellow as is our engineer diver Rod. Needless to say Rocky the yellow lab is sensational. He is a sleek energetic dog in great shape. I watched 'Marley and Me' on the plane, and have decided Rocky is directly related to Marley. He is just as stubborn, cheeky but extremely affectionate and lovable. I can see lots of good times with him. I miss my Teddy Bear so much already but know he is in good hands and will enjoy living with Daisy and Katie in his own home until I return.

Florida is warm with balmy nights and whilst I haven't had time to check Miami out YET, (intend to before we head off) all of us can't wait to get out to the islands. Tom is pedantic about the upkeep of the boat which is great news. The boat is divine! He has been working on it for a few months now so we all are helping with the clean up of the work gear and final touch ups. My role is mostly cook whilst the boys will run the boat. Both fellows are open to my decisions re the menus and very appreciative of a good meal. Later today I am taking an inventory of the larders so we can provision the boat correctly. Food in the islands is often hard to get and almost always very expensive. The boat is huge, 60 feet long and 31 wide. The main living areas are huge with the galley a delight to cook in. It is well stocked with everything I need and if anything is missing Tom is happy to purchase it. My queen size state room is also huge with its own wash basin and beautiful timber panelling. Tom bought new mattresses so everyone is very comfortable. There is a port hole on a lower angle next to the bed looking down unto the water surface which I can watch whilst dozing on my pillow. My head (bathroom & toilet) has the same, there are two port holes, both near the floor looking onto the waves, one is next to the toilet and one IN the shower! The shower is seperate, a wonderful luxury, I can watch the surface of the ocean whilst cleansing myself! How COOL is that!!

So, that's it for today. I must go make lunch and start the inventory! It looks to be the start of a wonderful journey!