A real-life episode of #belowdeck is about to play-out in front of me. We have a tender in the foreground, yacht behind, and crew setting up a beach picnic next to us. I might have to go offer to help! @capthlr @Kate_Chastain 
The tender is on its way back to the ship, while the crew remaining on the beach take photos of the rather impressive setup.
The $120m yacht was built in 2017 and (surprise, surprise) owned by a Russian construction billionaire. He charters it out, though, so we’ll see who emerges from its 242ft of exorbinance.
The tender is approaching the shore, but so too is a rainstorm. Crew on the beach is looking anxiously up at a darkening sky. And so we wait.
After dropping off some coolers, the tender returned to the ship. Thankfully for our Russian bazillionaire, the rain has moved through. One crew member remains on the beach - he’s currently swimming. The iced-down bottles of something seem to be directly in the sun. I’m anxious.
Wait! The tender approaches. Our swimming crew member hit the shore just in time. Now with even more crew, the tender seems to be carrying some sort of inflatable toy. I’m hoping for a water trampoline but who can say.
I could be projecting, but I think our fellow beach goers are as invested in this whole situation as I am. I have read not a page of the book I brought, but have learned a ton about this yacht (it’s interior is Art Deco inspired).
It still remains unclear what the inflatable is, but one crew member remains to inflate it with a pump, while the others are returning to the ship.
The inflatable is a MULTI-STORY JUNGLE GYM. Leads me to believe this is indeed a charter. Having stalked the yacht’s owner online, he doesn’t seem like the type to do much climbing.
The toy has been launched. A Stew has arrived. Guys, I think the guests must be coming soon.
The stew just walked by to go talk to our bartender. I said “hi.” Apparently she just wanted to know about the hotel.
Anticipatory tension really seems to be building on the beach. It could just be the position of the sun, but multiple people have turned their chairs toward the beach party.
THE TENDER IS APPROACHING. I might put in my earbuds so I appear nonchalant about this whole situation.
THE GUESTS ARE HERE.
Four kids - they are going to love that jungle gym - a mom and...
THE RUSSIAN BAZILLIONAIRE (h/t google images)
Four kids - they are going to love that jungle gym - a mom and...
THE RUSSIAN BAZILLIONAIRE (h/t google images)
Guys, the deck crew are playing with the kids on the multi-story, floating jungle gym! Mom and Russian bazillionaire are walking this way....
HE DRINKS CHILLED FIJI WATER
Mom and Russian bazilly have peaced so far down the beach, you can’t see them. But Stew is snapping pics of kids, while deckhands help them jump from top of the floating jungle gym.
One kid just threw a soccer ball at another kid’s head, and it bounced off very dramatically. I laughed and *think* one of them looked this way.
Mom and Russian bazilly are back. The one deck crew not ensuring the safety of the kids appears to be opening a coconut with a machete!
The extremely lovely local woman who sells beach wraps and jewelry is chatting w the couple now. Here’s hoping they buy literally all of her items.
SHE’S SITTING DOWN WITH THEM!
As a side note, shouldn’t these kids be in school?
(I take it back, they speak both Russian and English, so like basically two more languages than I do)
Mom and bazilly are in the water. I just diligently cleaned off my beach chair and laughed to no one in particular. It shows that I’m a hard worker, independent, and very engaging.
I’m also brushing up on my Russian, should they wave me over.
THE DECK HANDS JUST BUSTED OUT HANDHELD JETSKIS. TO HELL WITH THIS SOCCER BALL, FLOATING JUNGLE GYM AND MILLION(S) DOLLAR YACHT.
GIVE THE BILINGUAL RUSSIAN OLIGARCH KIDS WHAT. THEY. WANT.
GIVE THE BILINGUAL RUSSIAN OLIGARCH KIDS WHAT. THEY. WANT.
THEY HAVE TOWING CAPABILITIES
This crew is really putting in work. Unclear where mom and bizilly are (they might be in the water w kids, too) but deck crew is towing, jumping, lifeguarding, etc.
THE TENDER IS APPROACHING. Our guests may be leaving us soon. Or perhaps bringing lunch?
Just as the rain begins, our Russian oligarch and family depart for shores unknown. Or, back to their $120m yacht.
Epilogue: Having deposited their cargo safely, the crew is now enjoying the remaining coconuts, swimming, and, dare I say, drinking. Seems like they are also contemplating towing the multi-story jungle gym back to the boat.
YO. @Kate_Chastain
Off into the billionaire sunset does our deflated, multi-story, inflatable jungle gym go. What a day my friends. What. A. Day.
