Today paradise.. tomorrow swampland..

Nothing cures that awful wheeze like  the gentle kiss of the ocean breeze..

Well, maybe antibiotics, but I don’t have them here at Coco Cay, the private beach n the Bahamas  owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

This is nirvana. This is paradise.

It’s the calmest, bluest , warmest water I’ve ever dunked myself in, totally protected by a cove that allows some  inviting waves to sneak in, while keeping unwanted critters out .

There are plenty of comfortable turquoise and tangerine lounge chairs that don’t require the skills of a contortionist to get in and out of. ( ditto for the ocean itself. There’s no quicksand at the water’s edge)

I’m getting some looks every time I cough, which I’m handling by saying quite loudly, “why are my allergies so bad if nobody is smoking here?”

 Beach goers can handle the word “allergy” better than they can these explosive lungs of mine.

If the government shutdown doesn’t strand us  in Florida, I’ll seek medical attention as soon as we get back to New Jersey.

The sun does wonders for body, soul, and sinuses. 

There’s a pool here too, and it’s not going to be filled with slurring drunks or incontinent unsupervised children like the ones on the ship, at least I don’t think so.

But  for now.. I’m not planning to move a muscle for at least six hours.

.. and… I moved! 

To sample the complimentary lunch.. one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Glad the appetite was stimulated and the cough was suppressed. Let’s hope that continues as we venture toward the pool.

I almost wrote that I played pool on a floating pool table in the pool, but it was actually ping pong, which was still cool, but I looked like a spastic idiot with that paddle.

An uncool fool in  a nice cool pool.

I could stay here forever.. just staring at the water would be the one and only thing I would do for the remainder of my days on this planet, but it’s soon time to board and plan our bon voyage activities. 

Actually, we do have one more excursion scheduled before our airport drop off tomorrow.. an Everglades tour.

I think I’ll like it. We were sold immediately by the description.

It went something like: “ can I sell you some swampland in Florida?”