Buffett List #2: Fly in a seaplane
“It was a beautiful day, the kind you want to toast. We were tree top flyin’ movin’ west along the coast. Then we landed in the water, just about my favorite thrill!” ~ Jamaica Mistaica, Jimmy Buffett. Banana Wind. MCA Records. 1996.
As the song tells, Jamaican militants then fired at Jimmy’s seaplane, disrupting the bliss of a water landing. In Jimmy’s words some asshole started firing as we taxied towards Negril and mistook him for a ganga plane. Instead of resentment, Jimmy forgave and generated this great song.
So what does a pirate girl Parrothead do for her 40th birthday?! A milestone like hitting middle age was a perfect excuse to check a big item off My Buffett List. Time to experience Jimmy Buffett’s favorite thrill for myself!!!
We flew on Turtle Airways from Nadi to the Yasawa Islands. It really was a beautiful day with perfect conditions. And being safely on the other side of the world, no Jamaican militants fired at us!
I’ve got all the essentials- swimsuit, flip flops, and Jimmy!
The Turtle Airways lounge, with our first well-working WiFi in over a week in the South Pacific.
Glad this wasn’t our plane! Perhaps it had a mistaica too?
Getting ready to board…I’m not sure if this smile will ever leave my face!
Here we go!
Leaving the major island of Fiji, Viti Levu, and heading to the far reaches of the Yasawa island chain.
A little tribute to the inspiration for this adventure. In his book A Pirate Looks at Fifty, Jimmy shares the unfolding of his innate passion for sea planes. His words inspire anyone with a love of wandering and water to give it a try.
“These planes possess that inherent romantic spark that still calls to a few crazy people who think taking off and landing on the ocean is about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on.” ~Jimmy Buffett. A Pirate Looks at Fifty. United States: The Random House Publishing Group, 1998.
The views were amazing and then some. WOW!
I think I could stay there for a while…
Our awesome pilot.
Amazing blues and vistas.
I’d like to jump right in!
Approaching our destination.
Landing by Turtle Island for our next mode of transportation- boat, of course.
Right next to the famous Blue Lagoon.
Thanks Turtle Airways! Their staff was extremely responsive with plenty of Bula spirit during the booking process. Your only worry during flight is choosing which side of the plane to absorb the limitless views of South Pacific beauty!
I could get used to this kind of runway!
Heading off by boat to our new home away from home on Tavewa Island…to be continued!
My Buffett List 