After a slight technical hitch, that Mummy brilliantly sorted out with a little help from a friend, we packed up and set off for our favourite Caribbean island once again.
It's always a joy to get on the plane. That's when you know it's really real.
Of course, it's always a joy to get off the plane and be met with that first Rum Punch.
Bouncing on the bed...
...bouncing on the sand.
Oh my gosh, we're back again.
We were in Barbados. The sea on the south side was a little choppy, but we didn't care. We were here, we were together and everything was right with the world.
Daddy leave Destiny behind? No no no.
We all played beach volleyball (but Mummy had to be subbed out with an injured toe).
That's not Old Leigh...
Lily showed the resort how it's done with a cracking karaoke version of 'Shake It Off'.
We spent a lot of time in the pool.
Hi there.
Even Daddy looks relaxed.
Mummy and Daddy grabbed five minutes in the hot spa pool.
And Mummy and Lily ensured Turtle Beach upheld its name.
Now this is a lunchbreak.
Some days after lunch we played giant draughts.
Here come the girls.
There they go into the sunset.
They were heading off to get changed and look fab for the evening's entertainment.
There was something going on most nights.
Lily was always up for joining in.
Once again, we booked a trip on the catamaran.
By now, Lily's pretty good at snorkelling.
Look at those beautiful girls. And the beautiful sea behind them.
Switching to the waterproof camera, we got a few snaps.
She's ready for action.
Underwater selfie!
We all jumped in. Really jumped in, off the side of the boat no less.
And there were four turtles who came out to play. This year they came really close (one even stuck his head above the water line to see what was going on).
Two thumbs up for swimming with turtles.
This is the life.
Here's a little recap of our day.
Then we turned back for the long, lazy sail back to Bridgetown. Via the gift shop, naturally.
After all that relaxing, we dialled up the excitement with a bit of boogie boarding.
It was yellow flag conditions. The waves were perfect for zooming in to shore on.
See? (We later discovered how one of the other resorts may have got its name.)
After that, we had some refreshing coconut water. In a genius move, adults could have a dash of rum poured in.
This particular day was all about the unicorn.
Everyone got involved.
For the first time, we signed up for the Jeep Safari and took a look around more of the island.
First stop, the Gun Hill lion.
The Jeeps were open and a bit bumpy. As our driver said, 'It's not my fault, it's the asphalt...'
Lovely Mummy with the east coast behind her.
We stopped for a photo opportunity above the rugged Bathsheba coastline.
Then drove down to get a closer look at the rocky stump formations.
Some were pretty big.
This is looking up towards the north of the island. The Atlantic ocean has a vicious undertow here.
This is right up at the north, where the ocean crashes up over the rocks at Little Bay.
We had a great trip and enjoyed seeing more of Barbados (which we learned was named after its Banyan trees. The Portuguese thought their trailing roots looked like beards - so called the island Los Barbados - The Bearded Ones).
Safari, so goody.
As our south sea was a little choppy, we headed over to Tamarind Cove (a sister hotel) to enjoy the flat, warm Caribbean Sea.
Barely a ripple in sight.
We tried out kayaking.
We don't have any photos, but we even tried out being dragged behind a speedboat on an inflatible banana. No really, that's not the rum talking...
Some way out there was a little platform. That's Mummy and Lily on it.
Ideal for catching some rays (slathered in Factor 85, of course).
Whilst perfect for Daddy, we got the impression this boat was named after the resort's watersport staff.
Speaking of miserable, our hotel had a picture of a glum turtle that looked just like...
Lily got a photo opportunity (and shout out from) the island's celebrated girl band Virgo.
Believe it or not, this is a picture of torrential rain.
As our time came to an end, we couldn't resist another photo on what we like to call 'our tree'. Click this link for a comparison with five years ago.
One last selfie in paradise. We had a little extra adventure when Captain Sam took us out on a Hobie Cat sailboat. The wind picked up and we were really smacking into the waves - Mummy was right at the front and had to hold on for dear life.
As is traditional, Lily marked the occasion in the sand.
We love you Barbados.
Lily and her new acquaintance Big Bernard were ready for the journey home.
One seat, five passengers.
