Bend knees. Straighten arms. Stand and twist. Don't let go. Face-plant. Repeat. No one ever told me salt water up the nose could be so much fun! Some call it wake boarding. I call it water boarding, trolling for sharks in the Indian Ocean, or my personal favorite ... face boarding.  Well, I wish I could say that I got the hang of it immediately or at all for that matter. While it was wildly entertaining for the boat operator, lets just say I'll be sticking to knee boarding for now. Please excuse me now. I have to blow my nose. There's an ocean in it.

Be Mine Valentine

Just five more days till I begin the next chapter of my crazy roaming life and I couldn't be more excited!

A change of pace is just what I need to awaken my senses and stimulate my mind! I'm coming for you Maryland! I hope you're ready. We're going to have so much fun together. I promise to leave no stone un-turned. Together we will make sweet, sweet roaming history. I'm sure there will be ups and downs, but I'll never leave you hanging. Just be mine Valentine! 

Big Dreams

I just woke up from the strangest dream and I wonder if it's a sign.  In my dream I was a big, naked giant standing on the world.  I touched the icy tops of snow covered, Alaska mountains, which were mere little mounds in comparison, with my enormous fingertip. Then, with my humongous, naked giant feet in the Pacific Ocean I bent down and sat my larger than life giant ass on top of Nebraska. This could be interpreted a couple of ways.  No matter which way you see it, it's not looking good for Nebraska. HA! Silliness aside, what an amazing dream. Perhaps I feel too big for the world? Is a trip to Nebraska in order? Or maybe it was the steak I ate for dinner. I'm not really sure what it all means, but a dream this big is worth noting.

When I Get Off This Rock

My head is swimming with ideas!  I've spent the vast majority of my day planning my future trips which now include visiting INDIA  (I'll be dragging my Mom along for this one)!!! Holy curry heaven batman!! So, that's on the board for sometime next year. In the meantime, the roamologist has got to keep on roaming or this poor little page will be a dull, bleak, nobody-wants-to-look-at page collecting cyber dust and nagging my subconscious saying things like "Another one of your hair brained ideas bites the dust." EEK! I can't let that happen. I've finally found my calling, my niche and to think it was right under my nose the whole time. I must say I look very handsome with a handlebar mustache. Don't you think?

Well, I'm hitting the deck running (at a slow, moderate pace that barely raises my pulse, but still running damn it) and if I can't get off this island to roam about elsewhere then I'll let my mind roam until I can! Here's what's on the list for when I do get off this rock. I've potentially got a trip to the UK (Aunt Beth and Aunt Val get your couch ready) in the spring, of course there's Maryland, Washington D.C., an adventure to the Maine coast in the summer (LOBSTER COMA!!!), North Carolina, Seattle and then possibly N.Y. It's going to be a busy year and hopefully this little blog will be filled with all of the mayhem that ensues in its wake.  One can hope. The best part about these current travel plans is no matter where I'm at, everyone will understand me when I say "Which way is the restroom?" Of course, when I'm visiting the UK I'll ask for the "WC" ;) When in roam, do as the roamans do.  

Diego Garcia

It's hard to believe I'm at the end of my tour in Diego Garcia.  It's been a long time coming, 12 months give or take, but it hasn't been without some great times! As I leave here, I'm going to be taking with me a whole lot of great memories.  From my epic birthday party when I punched my buddy in the face (on purpose so I'm told, but I really don't remember it at all ... SO sorry Carlos) to the 8 a.m. wake up call that one Saturday morning (thank you for banging on my door in full snorkeling gear, boxed wine in hand and getting my day started right guys) ... these are the things I'll never forget, er, well except for punching Carlos evidently. 

Diego Garcia truly is the Navy's best kept secret. Sorry folks, this is one place you can only visit if you're on military orders. Ahhhh well, you win some you lose some.  If by some extraordinary means you are able to visit I highly recommend you stop by the Yacht Club.  It's 'a drinking club with a sailor problem' as you'll see when you get there.  It requires a membership which you can sign up for at the bar.  Trust me when I tell you it's worth it.  

You won't have a better time while you're here. If you do it's only because you stopped there first before roaming somewhere else.  The Yacht Club is the place to be if you enjoy kicking back with friendly people, old and young, and some cold ones ... beers not people that is.  This is not much more than a shack on the beach at the moment (renovations coming soon), but it's still the best place to hang out by far. The best part? Twenty bucks in the donation jar will buy you drinks all day (they only take donations for drinks). That's right! Alllllll day. So drink up! With that in mind ... don't be cheap!

Live music on Sundays with 7 Degrees South band and the occasional barbecue are just some more reasons to visit the Yacht Club.  And let me tell you ... the food you eat here is hands down going to be the BEST you'll probably experience anywhere on this remote island. There's nothing like Greg's curry.  Get your own! 

Roaming on ...  

Now, lets not forget how beautiful it is here! Slow down and take it all in, like Myrtle here. 

The sands are white like flour and the water is crystal blue.  There's plenty of ways to enjoy this tropical paradise. Snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, wind surfing rigs, water skis and more are at your disposal so be sure to take advantage of these super cheap rentals. You can also rent bicycles and trek through the jungle via off-road trails or on the bike path that runs along the main road. Critters abound here as well. Watch out for the coconut crabs if you're driving!  They're endangered as well as the sea turtles that nest here on the beach. The donkeys are not endangered, but I don't recommend running into one with your vehicle if you have one.  What a mess that would be! I do advise watching your step when in donkey land. They leave HUGE deposits wherever they roam. Just sayin'. Don't forget to take the time to visit the Plantation, Shark's Cove and Turtle cove while you're here. Shark's cove in particular is quite breath taking.  My very good friend, who has been all over the world, says it's their most favorite place in the world. It is stunning and quite fun to visit.  And yes, there are sharks at Shark's Cove. Well that about covers it. It's time for me to be roaming on. Just a couple more things ... whatever you do here, DO NOT go skinny dipping in the Indian Ocean. It's terrible. ;)

and one last thing. This is very, very important and I can't stress it enough. Do not disturb the wildlife!