Mermaids, Yachts & Karma: Sea of Destiny Series

By Joni Dennis

In my second book of the “Sea of Destiny” series, Breeze sails across the Atlantic Ocean, to Spain finding herself in the midst of a seaport filled with punk rockers. Dressed in her sarong, she feels out of place, but running into an old friend from North Carolina makes her feel connected again. He takes her back to the yacht he’s working on and finds that it’s spitting distance from the one she delivered from the Caribbean. Having run into him after sailing 4,500 miles with 5 lunatics for weeks on end, was Karmic enough, but having this close-to-home experience lets her know she’s on the right path. She joins his crew and cruises through the Mediterranean, enjoying the cultures and food as she makes her way through yet another Trans-Atlantic. As the days and weeks go by she sees that nothing happens by chance. It’s all in divine order as she experiences her first motor yacht adventure on the high seas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9780359755394

Book preview

Mermaids, Yachts & Karma: Sea of Destiny Series

Mermaids, Yachts

& Karma:

Sea of Destiny Series

by

Joni Dennis

Copyright © 2019 by Joni Dennis

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-359-75539-4

Front Matter

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission from the author.

For information regarding permissions, email [e-mail]

Order copies online at www.chefjoni.com

Photography: Beverly Woodhall, Studio B

Cover Design: Rebecacovers

Proofing: Vada Palma, Atlantic Beach, NC

Editing: Rick Doble, Smyrna, NC

Dedication

For my Mom...thank you for giving me grace.

For my Dad...thank you for giving me wings.

For my Aunt Bobbi...thank you for giving me spunk.

For Norma...thank you for giving me a home... away from home.

Acknowledgments

To my mother and father...Growing up in the south, your family wanted you to stay close, and not stray far away from your nest. Fortunately, as an only child, I was strong willed and wanted to go and see everything I could, and you let me go in many ways. That created a strength in me that is embedded in my DNA with much grace, as I see the world and it’s cultures with no judgment.

To my Aunt Bobbi...Believing in me is priceless. To have the love and support that you have given me through the years to write is a gift in itself. Through the hurricanes we share, I always know you’re there for me.

To Vada Palma...Thank you for your time, and patience with me as I turn into the person I strive to be...a good writer. Your passion as a teacher is always there when I’ve needed it.

To Tommy Howard...I’m so glad you are my dad’s friend. Bringing back your slide shows of your travels of the world when I was a ten year old child, opened my eyes to traveling in countries I never knew existed. Only National Geographic had pictures like yours back then. You gave me the insight, if they can do it, why can’t I? Seeds were planted without you even knowing it!

Every person that is reading this book...I want to acknowledge YOU. Go to the edge of your comfort zone. Little by little the edge becomes your friend. Take the time to see those little chances that come your way. They may take you to places you’d never dreamt about. Don’t count on every opportunity you get along the way to make you rich. You will become much richer in spirit, and wiser by the experiences. I applaud YOU for living your dreams. Many hugs...Breeze

Preface

By Rick Doble

Editor of the 1st & 2nd books

by Joni Dennis in her Sea of Destiny series

Joni's books are a unique experience. She does not write the way we were taught in school. She invites you to see the world through her eyes. In one paragraph she might describe a room and the people in it so well that you can see it yourself, while accurately describing the mood and energy of those people while commenting on her own feelings and perceptions. It is a wild ride.

Her style of writing is very much a 'stream of consciousness' as it has been called in English literature. You see what she sees, hear what she hears, and feel what she feels. It's kind of like eavesdropping on her innermost thoughts as she goes through her adventures. Her writing always seems real. It is quite remarkable and many academic writers have tried to accomplish this and failed.

Joni also makes a number of interesting observations as the book goes along -- such as the way that time passes on board a ship. Or how time, to her, is completely different on land. Or how living on the land feels different to a person who has lived on a ship.

In addition, Joni has a philosophical side. She often puts events into her own unique perspective that allows her to grow and learn. She was only twenty when these events occurred so many of her ideas about how to handle situations and various odd people are quite remarkable.

This second book reveals how Joni operates and how her faith in Karma and destiny play out in her life. She works very hard and very well at what she does -- which makes things happen -- but she also grabs chance happenings when they occur. Karma is a little bit of both: do your work, yet also be prepared to take advantage of opportunities that can happen at any time. And Joni does both very well.

Part One:

KARMA

IN A STRANGE LAND

INTRODUCTION

Thanks for being on the Sea of Destiny journey with me. If you haven’t read the first book, Mermaids, Yachts & Rum, then let me catch you up on the goings-on with Breeze (my nickname), until she made landfall in Spain, when this second book starts.

At the age of 20, young Breeze joined a crew of 3 total strangers at her home port of Beaufort, NC to work as part of a delivery crew who were sailing to the Virgin Islands. Within a few days, she was in a terrible storm at sea but she had faith in the seasoned captain who got her through in one piece. After arriving at the Virgin Islands, she worked on various sailboats ranging from 62 feet to 165 feet. These boats were chartered by the week to fair skin dream teams. Then Breeze raced in regattas on multi-million dollar mega-yachts or she cruised with nudist boat owners which definitely was not in her job description.

Throughout the book, she shared rum drink recipes which she memorized by heart. Then food recipes were introduced towards the end, being that she was the stewardess for the most part in the first book until someone offered her a job as cook.

At the end of the winter season, she joined a world-class sailboat to do a Trans-Atlantic crossing, only to find out that the other 5 crew were guys. Since she was outnumbered by cussing, farting, and cigarette smoking sea-dogs, her job was challenging. Then she had to cook in 30-foot seas while testosterone was running thick -- oh, and showers were not allowed.

When making landfall in each country along the way, she found moments of clarity after her much-needed showers and made friends that were etched in her mind forever, especially those that let her borrow their shower. Then while going through the Strait of Gibraltar at night, she saved the boat when it was almost rammed by a huge freighter. When finding the crew asleep, she cut a line that was tied to the steering wheel and jibed their sail boat to avoid a collision with almost certain death.

Finally, after arriving safely in Spain, she found herself in the European world of punk rockers who were all dressed in leather and lace. Overwhelmed by the stares she got from locals as she walked by the cafes and boutiques in her sarong and flip-flops, she felt like a sore thumb. Reluctantly she turned to go back to her dysfunctional lunatic boat, when, by sheer chance, she happened to see an old friend in a bar. He was from her home port of Beaufort, NC. Having a friend like that show up at that very point in time was THE Karmic moment for her, and led to the beginning of this next book and her new adventures on the motor yacht that her friend was on. Which is how this second book starts.

CHAPTER 1

Porto Banus, Spain

on M/V Roshi II

This is a blessing without a disguise. The only person I know in this country is docked exactly right across from us, out of hundreds of slips. This is the most Karmic experience...yet...in my life.

After last night, the only thing to do is to jump ship -- and I don’t have far to go with my seabag and camera bag -- a mere twenty feet at the most.

Randy has been a family friend for as long as I can remember. He’s a sea dog, being he’s from Beaufort, my home port. Of course I said yes, when they offered me the job to help deliver their motor yacht back to Ft. Lauderdale. Choices aren’t just handed out like this. I am blown away about how easy this is going to be. I don’t have to walk the docks today to find a job, or a new home, and most importantly~~ a new crew.

John, and Candy, the Captain and his girlfriend, take my gear from me as I walk up the boarding ladder. Yes, they have a boarding ladder, like civilized yachts should have. Instead of running and jumping, in hopes of making it onto the deck, like I had to do on S/V Loons Lace, I can walk on board, without the fear of falling in the water and drowning. They lead me forward while explaining where everything is on the way below deck, I mean all the way to my very own stateroom. I never asked him how much he is paying me to crew. If the universe ordered this for me, I’m in.

Money can’t buy serenity in a lot of cases, even though it makes life easier most of the time.

After sleeping on the galley floor the night before, on Loon’s Lace, and having to listen to all the sounds of the night from my last motley crew of six, this is like winning the lottery. There’s wall to wall carpet, and exotic woods from all over the world inlaid on the cedar closet door, (Yes!!! I have a closet!) and everywhere else you look. And for the ultimate of bathing experiences, which I’m sure you all agree I deserve, I have a black marble tub, with a black marble bidet and a shower that stands by itself. I’ve never seen a bidet, but learn fast that we as an Americans, need to be educated on the marvels of freshness this wonderful apparatus provides.

It’s just Randy and me living in the forward part of the boat. He’s across the hall. The engine room is between us and the aft master stateroom. John and Candy have the master stateroom. Randy and I have our own set of stairs that take us down to our cabins. The laundry room is down here too. John and Candy have their own stairway and entrance as well. I unpack my clothes and put them into drawers. It’s been a year since I’ve done this...what novelties...drawers and closets. I take a nice long hot shower, because I can, and head back up on deck to see what is expected of me. I agreed to this job without any sort of interview. I knew it was meant to be, so I really don’t care what is expected of me. I’m ready for anything.

They are still drinking coffee on the aft deck, so I pour myself a cup in the galley and go sit down. Looking across the dock at Loon’s Lace is weird. Yes, she got me here, and I am grateful for the class of yacht she is. She’s the Rolls Royce of sailing yachts. I’m so grateful to have had such a safe boat, that I gave part of my life to her, twice, literally, three times if we’re counting my sanity. That is one safe sailing vessel. And I'm grateful for having the ability to pick and choose the right yacht, even if the crew was...well if you know, then you understand where I’m coming from...they were a bit over the top when out of cigarettes. I know that this does not sum it up for some of you but...they were lunatics!

There they are, all drinking coffee still...on their deck, smoking cigarettes, cussing, farting, spiting and flirting with all the girls that walk by. I’m disgusted. What was I thinking? No need to beat myself up for making that decision, just live in the moment and thank God I’m alive...And oh yeah, and the Karmic gift that was bestowed on my soul today! Thank you universe! You can’t undo what’s already done, and I learned a lot on that trip. Some of it I wish I could unlearn. Yesterday is history and today is a mystery...so I’m moving on.

There’s no time like the present, so moving ahead I ask, John what are my duties on board M/V Roshi? I guess I caught him off guard.

Well Breeze, I bid on this delivery really low, so I could take my girl, Candy, on a cruise through the Mediterranean. I’m happy to pay you $500.00 when we get to Ft. Lauderdale, and cover all your expenses for the whole trip. We are going to stay here for three of four more days, then we’ll be off to Portugal, Gibraltar, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and wherever else we feel like going, for however long it takes.

Wow, I’m thinking, an adventure, without the stress of cooking all the time! No guests, No uniforms, No kissing anyone’s ass, and no putting on a smile, when you just aren’t feeling it!

We really love great food, and fine wine, so most evenings we will dine onboard. We all cook. You are not expected to be THE cook. We like to rent cars and mopeds and do excursions most of the places we go, and we eat out when we’re out doing that. As long as we keep the boat clean and you can do watches while underway, we’re good to go.

Wow. This sounds amazing, I’m thinking to myself. So in general, just clean up after yourself and do what you see needs to be done, I respond.

Yes, taking initiative is the key word pretty much, when it comes to a seasoned crew. That sets us apart from Greenies..., crew new to the industry, that has to be told what to do all the time.

Sounds like a plan, John, and I’m tickled to death to be here with all of you. Really! Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity, and a way off the other loonatic boat. This is the first time I’ve gotten a job, and not interviewed for it, I say.

We’re glad to have you! he said with sincerity.

Since I get a plane ticket and am paid for the delivery to Spain, from the Trans-Atlantic on Loons Lace, I have money and can cash in my plane ticket when I get back to Florida. So that’s like money in the bank for later, which is a nice chunk of money. Cool. I can go shopping! I’m not feeling self conscious this time as I’m walking down the dock in a sarong, knowing I’m eventually going to fit into this punk rock scene, and I’m so excited to see what’s out there in the funky boutiques, waiting for me to buy. I’m converting dollars into pesetas, in my head. This will be a little tricky at first, but I’ll get the hang of it.

I just about walk into a 1921 Mercedes convertible that is turning onto the dock or should I say, it turned and almost hit me? What a beautiful car! I’ve never seen one so old and it looks brand new. The two guys that are in it, are pretty beautiful, too.

One of them asks me if I’m an American. I’m kinda shocked that they are speaking to me, still feeling a little self conscious. I answered, Yes. I guess I stick out like a sore thumb. I have a sarong and tank top on, and no punk rock hairdo. Well, you have to come to the discotheque tonight for dancing and the party one of them said. They give me a flyer and I nod my head like I can read Spanish, and walk away. Why would they give me one I can’t read?

They back up as I’m walking away from them and ask me again if I’m going. Maybe I look like a disco queen and not a punk rocker. That’s it! I’ll bet American girls are known as disco queens here! This is too funny. I’ll get my crew to go too, if you can give me a flyer with English directions, I said to them, as I walked away, knowing this is a half truth. Just half the crew may go, that would be Randy and myself. That was weird, but not SO weird. There are barkers in St. Thomas that get paid to stand on the busy street corners yelling at people, telling them where to eat, drink, and dance. They do it all day, but not so much at night. They get a little obnoxious at times and can be overbearing because they are yelling. These guys just took it to another level, with the car. Now I have to go. That’s all there is to it. But first I’ve got to find the perfect outfit.

Window shopping is amazing here, but the prices are very high. It is prime real estate, so I’m sure their rent is top dollar. Trying to convert dollars into pesetas, is hard without a calculator, but I’m trying to look like I know what I’m doing, so the people in the store don’t think I’m a tourist. I don’t ever want to be seen as a tourist. I am a traveler. After living in the Caribbean for seven months, seeing what normal people wear is almost shocking. I wish I could just wear my sarongs. Life would be so much easier. They do make a nice addition as a shawl, so at least I’ve got that going for me.

Beside each boutique is a cafe with people sitting outside with their punk rock hairdos sipping espresso and drinking wine. They’re little pinky fingers are up in the air as they sip. It still seems strange to me that a lot of them have their leather jackets on when it’s so hot this time of the day. It is summertime. There is so much black in their wardrobes too. I’m not liking all this black. If this is what I’m supposed to look like here, it isn’t happening. I’m not going to inflict a heat stroke upon myself, and look like an animal groomer took a razor to my head~ nope~ not me.

After three hours of this mind blowing shopping journey, I just go back to the first shop I went into, and buy the two outfits, that I like the best so far, for my summer wardrobe. It seems like you always go back to the first store. One is a denim one-piece jumper that has lots of layers and I can wear it several different ways, making it versatile for dancing, walking around town, or a date...if I just happen to get one. The other is a long black tunic from Morocco, with a pair of pants that are a fun colorful print that tie up the side. I’ll be wearing these outfits in several countries, so I don’t have to worry about people seeing me in them again and again. With the few things I have already, they will all work well together.

It is siesta time and the stores are all closing now, so as I’m walking back to the boat, I realize that the local people all get off at one o’clock, and go wherever they go, be it home, or out to lunch and come back to work at four o'clock every day, and work until seven or nine o’clock at night. What a different way to live! When I get back to the boat, I give everyone a fashion show, and then I take my first siesta, as well as the crew. Why not? It feels decadent to lie in clean sheets at this time of the day.

When captain John said that they like to dine, this is not an understatement. The table is set with the best china, crystal, and silver. Then again, this may be all that is on board. I’m not sure yet. I feel like this is a dream and I’m a guest. Being asked to sit down and eat is foreign to me. Everything is beyond perfect. George Winston is playing the piano somewhere in the corner of the room on the stereo, and I still don’t feel like this is my life. I’m not salty...to begin with!

Steak Tartare is on the menu for starters. Because I don’t really eat a lot of meat, (because my tummy doesn’t digest it well) this is the boldest dish I’ve tried in a long time, maybe ever....and I eat shad roe! John went straight to the local butcher to buy the meat, and had it ground. The meat has to be the freshest possible as well as the eggs. Yes, there are raw eggs in it too. And I’m sure the eggs were fresh from someone’s back yard coop.

It’s an ongoing farmers market everywhere. People sell whatever they raise, or grow by their houses and various spots on the side of the road and on street corners. There is fresh food for sale in sight just about anywhere you look. Nobody goes hungry here, that’s for sure.

Freaking out now is not an option. I really don’t want to try this, but have to. I have to try everything