One of our days was spent with a community service project at the local Salvation Army in Nassau. We all piled in buses and went over to spruce up the grounds with some painting, putting together playground equipment, a musical wall, sand boxes and many sensory outdoor fun things as we were working at the school for the blind. We also managed to put together over 200 bicycles that were given to children in need as well as provide lunch for the day. It was a very rewarding day.
With the draw of a visor, Charlie and I found ourselves on the "green team" for the day. Our job was to do some landscaping in a cove between two of the buildings in the back.
Then, as if the rays were not enough, they called in the sharks. It was a bit terrifying knowing how many sharks were there in these waters, as we attracted 7 of them with the bait. We then continued to line the shore as the sharks swam around us and one of the guides teased them with fish. It was all fun and games until it became a bit too much excitement as the yellow rope you see in the picture here broke. Definitely sent everyone scattering!
What else do you do after calling in the sting rays and sharks but head into those waters for some snorkeling?!! Our snorkeling adventure was probably one of my favorites as we entered the water off the shore and swam across the tide out to the reef. Then it was pure bliss as we allowed the current to freely carry us along the reef and you just got to hang and watch the show below. Then, it was time to swim again to get yourself out of the current and back to shore. The first snorkel was a short one taking us down just part of the shore. We did see one very large lemon shark swimming in the waters below us. Then, for the second snorkel, we entered further up around a bend and took a longer trip. This trip found several nurse sharks hanging out on the bottom of the ocean. It was quite a scene!
The Power Boat Adventure day was probably one of our favorites and was certainly an adventure to remember!
An awards trip would only be concluded with one event, and that is the awards' banquet. The evening began as the award winners walked the red carpet entrance and had their picture with John Schnatter, or Papa John as he is better known.
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| The entire Papa John's crew arrives at the Salvation Army for a day of fellowship and giving |
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| The "green team" ready to get to work for the day |
This area was transformed to a nice little sensory area with sand boxes, a couple of benches, new sod and my masterpiece work of art! When we arrived, the leader for our team informed us the the stencil she had for a verse to be painted on a wall had been destroyed by the wind. So, she asked for a volunteer to free hand the verse, and I was happy to give it a try.
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| Charlie and Reza helped with the sod |
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| The green team's project |
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| Even Papa John liked my artistic work! |
The next day was filled with fun in the sun! We were set for our Power Boat Adventure. The first step of this exciting day was to board a power boat and set off for an hour and a half trip across he ocean. I have to say that we were very lucky to have been on the "big boat" that did not go quite as fast for fly quite as far out of the water with the waves.
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| Ready to get on the Powerboat! |
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| Charlie and I on the boat |
After our trip across the ocean, our first stop was in a cove where we hopped off the back of the boat and waded ashore. There, we were able to feed some wild iguanas. They were kind of cute!
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| Feeding iguanas in the cove |
We then boarded the boat for a very quick adventurous trip over to a private island where we would spend the rest of the day with a full bar, crazy adventures, lots of food and certainly lots of fun!
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| Charlie and I at the private island |
As soon as we got to the island, the local guides baited the waters to bring in sting rays from the wild. They proceeded to line us all along the shore on our knees so that we could feed the rays. It was definitely an experience and a bit adrenaline pumping at the same time. These wild rays would come up to take the fish from you hand, then had to turn themselves around as their tails would flap into you. It was a bit nerve wracking to say the least!
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| Feeding sting rays |
Then, as if the rays were not enough, they called in the sharks. It was a bit terrifying knowing how many sharks were there in these waters, as we attracted 7 of them with the bait. We then continued to line the shore as the sharks swam around us and one of the guides teased them with fish. It was all fun and games until it became a bit too much excitement as the yellow rope you see in the picture here broke. Definitely sent everyone scattering!
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| The sharks are in! |
What else do you do after calling in the sting rays and sharks but head into those waters for some snorkeling?!! Our snorkeling adventure was probably one of my favorites as we entered the water off the shore and swam across the tide out to the reef. Then it was pure bliss as we allowed the current to freely carry us along the reef and you just got to hang and watch the show below. Then, it was time to swim again to get yourself out of the current and back to shore. The first snorkel was a short one taking us down just part of the shore. We did see one very large lemon shark swimming in the waters below us. Then, for the second snorkel, we entered further up around a bend and took a longer trip. This trip found several nurse sharks hanging out on the bottom of the ocean. It was quite a scene!
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| Snorkeling |
The Power Boat Adventure day was probably one of our favorites and was certainly an adventure to remember!
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| Award winners with Papa John at the island |
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| Charlie and John |
After all of the awards were presented, we danced the night away to a "Blues Brothers" style band and had an amazing evening to conclude our trip.
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| Me and Charlie at the awards dinner |
