Dream: Mommy and Daddy say it is time for a vacation. They talk about pristine beaches, amazing animals, and an island escape. I start to pack my bag, but they say I am staying home with Grandma. Noooo!
Reality: My bag is packed and we are off to the Caribbean island of Nevis. I can barely contain my excitement. I refuse to nap on the plane, taxi, or boat that takes us to the resort, but somehow I accidentally doze off anyway, dreaming about vacation, and when I wake up I am in paradise.
I arrive at the luxurious Four Seasons Nevis, where the smallest guests are treated like island royalty. In our room there is a glass door that opens outside onto green grass with views of the sparkling, blue ocean. Ahhhhh. I learn to shriek in the cutest possible voice to get Mommy and Daddy to go outside with me. Outside there are beautiful colored flowers everywhere and the smell of the air is sweet like mango and coconut. Vacation is making my senses go wild.
After some exploring, I find the pool of my dreams complete with mini waterfalls and loads of pool toys. This little mermaid is ready to make a splash! I get dressed in my new bikini, beach hat, and babiators, apply my trusty sunblock, and am ready to swim and play. I kick and splash and decide I can swim on my own…but I really can’t so I hop aboard a giant dragon float instead. Now I’m cruising through the pool effortlessly. (Maybe Daddy was pulling me along the whole time.)
I am not in the city anymore because everyone waves hello and is like one big, happy family. The friendly staff even senses I need a snack and brings me fruit skewers. Mommy and I get cozy on a beach couch and share a mango breeze looking out at the ocean. We could get used to this. And it’s only our first day here!
After a delicious lunch, it’s nap time so we go back to the room. Guess what is waiting for me in my crib? My very own Nevisian sea turtle stuffed animal. It seems that Mommy adopted an endangered sea turtle named Caribelle on my behalf. I couldn’t have named her better myself and I love her instantly. And Mommy loves that we are helping the local sea turtle conservancy.
The days start to blend together because I am having so much fun. This island princess gets braids in her hair and runs around with bare feet only. I love how the island grass tickles my toes and the sand makes them wiggle. My happy feet keep finding more fun in this special place.
I get to sing Row, Row Your Boat on a catamaran sail. The highlight: when we sit on something called the foredeck, which is like a really big, netted trampoline, while feeling the waves bounce my bum bum. We rode out to a cool cove and I plopped into a floatie to feed fish. And Mommy and Daddy put on funny masks and slippers and did something called snorkeling. It looked weird but they really enjoyed it.
My absolute favorite adventure is playing with the green vervet monkeys. I heard the call of the wild from the golf cart as we approached them. Mommy and Daddy watched in awe as the monkeys and I were able to communicate and play together. I’d say, “Hee hee, hoo hoo…Hi monkeys, I’m Elle. Play with Elle,” and they’d listen. I am the next monkey whisperer. It is an indescribable and spiritual experience (at least that’s what everyone else says) that I will never forget.
Each evening I can actually see the crescent moon growing and see lots of bright stars. Before bedtime I say, “Night, night moon.” We are BFFs now. Each morning I make Mommy, Daddy, and I get dressed in matching robes and slippers. It is quite a sight! Mommy stays in her robe one morning and goes someplace called the spa. It makes her real happy. I want to go there but instead decide I’d rather golf with daddy. He is so proud.
I also get forced into a van for an island tour and start to protest until I am told we are going on a great adventure like Bert and Ernie (from Sesame Street, of course!). Daddy likes the rich island history and visiting the site of Alexander Hamilton’s birth. Mommy likes visiting the sugar plantations turned chic resorts, craft houses, and legendary Cottle Church. I like soaking my toes in the hot spring baths and playing in the lush botanical gardens. There is a rainbow tree with magnificent colors up the trunk, countless beautiful orchids and palms, and a tree with leaves where you can inscribe your name forever and ever!
After all this island adventure, we retreat for the last day to our own cabana-style beach house. This giant doll house was equipped with every imaginable item I could ask for, including water toys, sand pails, snacks, sun products and panoramic views. When I am worn out from all the sand castle building, my own beach butler pitches my pack-and-play and closes the beach blinds so I can nap while listening to the ocean. No white noise machine needed here!
I am sad to see the trip come to an end and keep asking for more vacation, to walk outside with my toes only, and for more braids in my hair. I am already ready to come back!
