IARA

January 2025

It’s impossible to overstate how indulgent, luxurious, comfortable, and invigorating our time was aboard Iara (our hosts’ catamaran). It was truly the most satisfying week I’ve every enjoyed traveling. Not merely because we soaked up sunny, 78 degree weather in the Virgin Islands. But because our hosts - Paul and Lexi - made it so. They were so easy to be with, so natural, so pleasant, so affable, so capable, and so helpful at all the right times. They created the vibe and path for us to completely unwind, 100% relax with each other, both exploring and escaping.

Food: Lexi is a fantastic chef - she made every single meal feel gourmet, special, home-cooked…because it all was. From steak, to scallops, to fish tacos, to creme brûlée, to eggs Benedict, to fresh salads, to paella - it was all so satisfying. Paul made killer cocktails every night while we took in the sunset from the top of the boat. Then he’d bring delicious appetizers (that of course Lexi made!) Maybe mimosas with breakfast, definitely wine with dinner, fresh fruit and snacks before or after a swim - always right there, always easy. We were served by Paul and Lexi - always attentive, never lingering, always available and willing to chat when we’d strike something up.

Boat: a super-cool, Scandinavian/modern/sleek feel with so many great spaces. A sunny spot up top with a big, L-shaped couch. A front with cushions for laying out. A shady, comfy L-shaped couch/booth around a big table (that we incidentally played cards, jenga on at least as often as we ate there. (I also napped there several times. Another long couch in the shade for looking out the back. Another shady, cushioned reading nook. The bedroom(s) in the hull with more storage space than we could use. We took hot showers and woke up looking out the window of our bed watching the sunrise on mornings we faced East. My favorite spot by far: the webbing  (Paul called it a trampoline) on the front of the boat where I laid out and caught sun and the splashing of waves when we were hopping from island to island. Literally one of my favorite things to do on the planet. It felt like being a little kid.

Activities: we snorkeled around more reefs than I can remember, virtually every day. We snorkeled around caves, the Indians (rocks/reef sticking up out of the ocean). We’d paddle board, float in the water, explore beaches, found iconic oceanside bars, hiked in some sort of rainforest, explored caves, and swam in a magical protected cove that was like a jacuzzi fueled by waves channeling through oceanside rocks. I’m sure there were more things that others would have explored but the range, ease, accessibility, and diversity of hitting a couple of these things each day was plenty for us. And Paul and Lexi listened to what we wanted to do and mirrored the pace and activities we sought. And always offered a cold beverage, meal, or bottle of bubbly when we would return.

In the end I think what I appreciated the most was how easy it was just to be. The only decision we needed to make: which part of the boat to sit on while we read, had a drink, or caught sun. Paul and Lexi owned ALL the responsibilities. Such a delight that they took on literally everything that the week required. If Paul and Lexi lived here instead of on a boat in the Caribbean, I know I’d be friends with them. We shared so many great conversations and laughs - I think that made it all that much more special. I’ll be talking about this trip for the rest of my life!

Randy