Well, I am proud to say that I hold the distinction of being the person with the highest number of Aura Visits – and with Kim and Simon’s generosity, have enjoyed it alone, with my two children and my boyfriend….and each time is just as wonderful and amazing as the last!

My first trip was to Ibiza, which we enjoyed in full Ibiza style….staying out until 7am (you would have thought we were in our 20s’!). Second was a gorgeous few days off the Exuma’s, where Aura was able to enjoy (I think) her first experience with children on board, then there was another trip with kids to a few places off Culebra, which was AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL and finally (well, at least hopefully for the short term) there was the Grenadines, where we swam with turtles and snorkeled on some amazing reefs.

Flash Back to Ibiza

Flash Back to Exumas (April 2017)

Flash Back Culebra

I think my proudest moment came in my last trip where I reduced my clothing to the extent that it would fit in a small backpack (no luggage needed)…this included:

· 3 pairs of swimmers

· 1 swim cover up

· Nicer Airplane clothes that I wore to and from Aura

· 1 romper (note from editor; we Googled this word and it looks like a casual kind of jump suit) that had dual purpose of casual on boat and off boat wear

· 2 pairs pajamas

· 4 pairs underwear

· 1 bathroom bag (foundation, lipstick, mascara, toothbrush, toothpaste only)

· Pair of beach shoes (tevas)

· Pair of fancier flip flops (thongs (note from editor: Monique is bilingual))

My second proudest moment was working alongside K&S as we did our absolute best in drinking Aura out of alcohol (I think we failed by not making our way through the final bottle of gin (if only I stayed an extra day)

I was super fortunate to meet some of Kim and Simon’s cruising friends during some of these trips, and what truly fantastic people they were – this cruising culture seems to attract fun and generous people – everyone I have come across was so warm and hospitable and always willing to pitch in and lend a hand when people needed it.

Here are some things I have learned over my numerous Aura ventures. Some are obvious, some came as a surprise

· Always always ask if something doesn’t look right (no matter how embarrassed you might be to discuss typically very private issues that surround the toilet)

· Speaking of toilets….always, always, ask….truly….always ask

· Kim is a passionate and fantastic cook and we will remember many of her meals….who would have thought to put mango in coleslaw, but it meant the dish went from something I truly don’t enjoy, to something that I couldn’t get enough of

· Simon is very cool, calm and collected and does super nice things like saves good coffee when he knows I’m coming back

· Kim really doesn’t like the boat leaning, or going in a direction that isn’t the direct route (which makes total sense to me!)

· Kim isn’t a big fan of me taking the wheel of the boat especially when she is trying to have a nap, turns out my sailing ability needs some work (note from editor, Monique did a great job on the helm)

· Don’t overpack, its just bothersome to come home and unpack all of the things you won’t wear

· I never thought I could relax so much….even with my 2 kids on board

· Puerto Rico is beautiful – I would never have guessed it, but it is one of the most spectacular parts of the Caribbean that I have seen

· Kim loves Mexican Train – a game I didn’t know existed until my Aura Exumas trip

· Simon can whip up some pretty tasty bread

· Simon makes a mean cocktail….my favorite being his margarita, followed closely by an espresso martini

· Kim’s lasagna – not sure how she manages to make that so amazingly tasty, but the kids look forward to it at every visit

I’m sure there are lots more, but basically it comes down to 4 things

1) I drank too much and enjoyed every minute of it

2) I ate too much and enjoyed every minute of it

3) I got by with minimal clothing, making it a super easy and relaxed way to travel

4) Bodily functions aren’t necessarily always a private matter on a boat

I want to thank Kim and Simon for their amazing generosity – I truly don’t know how I managed to meet them in a bar in Italy over 4 years ago and then make such amazing friends! Sometimes you just get really really lucky with who enters your life and how. I mean, how many people can say: “I am going to visit my friends, who are sailing around the world on their yacht”….I am truly fortunate and thankful for all that Kim, Simon and Aura allowed me and my family to experience and do; things we would never have been able to see or explore if it wasn’t for these guys

Xxxxx

Thanks Mon for your insight and kind words, we just love sharing the experience with our friends on-board and we love you lots!

Below are a few photos of our recent time together, one of our most favourite parts of the Caribbean “Bequia – Tobago Cays – Mayruea and Union Islands”.

Dinner with La Mischief

At the Bequia market, we found a few exotic looking fruit. They tasted great, except for the brown round looking one that wasn’t ripe and we (Si and Mon) both choked and spat it out……