Flying in circles above the island, we look down at a place full of color and contrasts. An impossibly blue sea, bright white salt mountains, green mangroves, and colorful houses. As we step off the plane, it’s pleasantly warm with a refreshing breeze. After a 12-hour journey (including a stopover), we’ve landed at Flamingo Airport. We feel happy, nervous, and curious all at once. Normally, you go on vacation and let everything wash over you, but this is different. This week, we’ll decide if we want to live here with our family.
Just a Vacation Together
On the first day, I constantly look around and ask myself: what do I think of the surroundings? Is there enough to do for the kids? I’m driving myself a little crazy, so it’s time for a timeout. Whatever we discover, see, or decide this week, it’s also wonderful to simply enjoy a week of vacation together. We miss the kids from day one, but it’s also incredibly relaxing to read a book in the hammock, go out to eat, and spend quality time together. In short, it’s pure enjoyment.
Dreaming About Our B&B
With our rented scooter, we spend the next few days exploring and taking in the beauty of the island. The feeling of “we want to live here” grows stronger with each passing day. The people are friendly, the nature is stunning, and the outdoor lifestyle is especially appealing.
We give ourselves a taste of hobbies we’d love to practice often if we ever get to live here: snorkeling and windsurfing. Walking into the water from the beach and being able to snorkel or dive immediately is truly unique, especially with a water temperature of 27°C (81°F). The windsurfing spot is one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever seen—a paradise for surfers with its constant steady winds.
After a few days of relaxation, we start viewing various properties. Joke’s minimarket immediately catches our attention. It’s currently a small grocery store with a living area, but it’s in a great location with a large lot. You have to look past its current state, but we can already see its potential. We envision covered verandas with hammocks and outdoor kitchens, and where there’s now a small pond, there could be a large swimming pool in the middle of a tropical garden. A small-scale setup with beautiful little spots for our guests, serving delicious breakfasts in the morning, and showing people the most stunning places on the island—we can’t wait!
Do We Really Want This?
We repeatedly check in with ourselves and each other: do we really want this? Are we ready to take on this adventure? Every time, the answer is yes. We’re realistic enough to know there will be less enjoyable sides to it, but building a new life here and contributing to an unforgettable vacation for “our” guests is something we both genuinely want.
