A little wrench in the works…

Well, I biked and hiked and kayaked and zip lined and crossed shaky bridges over deep chasms

but simply walking on a dock was the thing that ultimately took me out. A few days ago in Vanuatu, the first of 3 stops we are making between Sydney andLA, this happened:

Yeah, that’s me being wheeled back to my room with my right arm in a full plaster cast. I slipped and fell and during my excursion to the riri river and swimming hole and broke my wrist. Formally, I have a colles fracture, which according to the internets is “is a common distal radius break, typically caused by falling on an outstretched hand (FOOSH), resulting in intense pain, swelling, and a "dinner fork" deformity where the wrist bends backward”.

Lovely, right?

It’s been “interesting”. Living with one hand as a solo traveller is a whole new ball game. I’ve resorted to only slip on shoes because I can’t tie my laces with one hand. I am getting my hair washed and blow dried at the ship salon, with the other older ladies going in for wash and set (I feel very much like grandma Eleanor😂). I did figure out how to open champagne and apply makeup and put on a bra on my own so I feel like I have conquered the world. And I’m generally trying to keep doing what I’ve been doing, except for swimming or water sports. It was quite painful for a few days, but I’m steadily improving and really ok.

I woke up this morning pulling into Suva, Fiji, and saw this amazing rainbow. 🌈

I took this as an omen. I am blessed. Yes, I went to a Fijian hospital today rather than the beach as I had planned. And unfortunately, it looks like my next port in Oahu will also be used for an ortho visit rather than a resort day. But that’s ok. This has been an amazing trip and I’m so grateful for the experience. Do I wish this never happened? Absolutely. But as a wise friend said to me yesterday, I’m allowed to be both grateful for the experience and not loving part of the current chapter.

Being injured sucks. But recovering on a beautiful cruise ship does not. Struggling to take care of ordinary daily needs sucks. But having fellow passengers and staff always jumping in to help does not. Missing out on seeing Fiji and swimming in Hawaii and continuing in watercolor classes sucks. But sunshine and cocktails and good books and laughter does not. On balance, life is pretty excellent.