The trip never ended

It felt like a war, but it wasn't. It seemed to last forever, but it didn't. As the years went on, our path around the world continued to carve deeper grooves into softer and softer dirt. I abandoned the words but never the travel. It grew more intense. From the silk road to the edge of the Pacific, we never stopped. 50 countries turned into 100, and now I chase something else entirely.

When it all started, I traveled - - and I asked the world to change me - that was the only goal. It was pretty selfish in hindsight. Formal education and stacks of books didn't gift me the perspective I imagined I needed or deserved, so I left. Travel delivered, and when my dreams began to come true I knew why. The world gave me this life.  But. It always seemed to be a quid pro quo. When the time came, I would have to return the favor the world gave to me. 

So we start again.

The Morning Star to Hong Kong

Oh Hong Kong. Old friend. It has been a while. Five years. A few days ago, I saddled up in row 34 on an American Airlines 777 and flew direct from Dallas to Hong Kong. The morning star as I call it, the sun set just as the wheels touched down on Lantau Island. The light followed us the duration of the journey, all 16.5 hours.

Klein Bonaire

 Klein Bonaire is a small island off the coast of Bonaire - its name translates to small Bonaire. It is home to some great stretches of sand, as well as vibrant reefs. It is also empty. Years ago, developers attempted to build some resorts on the island and the Bonaire community pooled together $10m to prohibit building anything within 200m of the shore - that basically covers the entire island.

 A great place to dock with a boat 

 Kristin and pumps enjoying the beach

 From the boat, which is the only way to the island.

 Trunkfish 

 Tube corals 

 Looks like a labyrinth 

 Check out this bro 

 Trumpetfish just breezing by 

 Walking back after a snork 

 Poor guy only has three flippers

 Me and Harper 

Great beach 

Bonaire Sunset

 Kristin and baby Harper at Rum Runners in Bonaire. Harper is  loving the sea life 

Dive shop on water 

Harper at dinner

What is my job as CEO?

According to google:

1. More than with any other job, the responsibilities of a CEO diverge from the duties and the measurement. A CEO's responsibilities: everything, especially in a startup. The CEO is responsible for the success or failure of the company.

1000 steps Bonaire

 

 1000 steps is a dive site in Bonaire with 82 steps heading right down into the water

Bonaire slave hut

Bonaire has a bizantine and contrasting history of brutality and beauty, slavery and freedom. Here a slave hut frames both.

Klein Bonaire's inquisitive trunkfish

 

Trunkfish just staring into my gopro

Lac Cai in Bonaire

Lac Bay is in the corner of Bonaire. It is a local spot with great calm waters, some pretty pristine mangrove forests, and one of the best wind surfing environs on the planet - freestyle wind surfing was allegedly invented here.

"You shall not pass"

Driving through rural Bonaire, we were stopped by this fellow. He blocked the road, came over to the driver side, and made immediate demands.

8/28 & 8/29 - Leaving chaos at an inopportune time for a remote island

Menguin is in the middle of raising a round of funding, so it is probably not the best time to disappear into the tropics. But, when you plan a trip and promise a trip to your wife and mother in law, follow-through is important.   

So here I am, with a million things to do heading to a remote island.

8/28

800am - Wake up, eat toast, realize everyone is gone at the Menguin house 

840am - Go to UPS to return some flooring 

900am - Arrive at office, take some phone calls, run some reports, act like a spaz because I only have until 10 before...

8/24, Seeing the second child for the first time

800am - Wake up in McKinney with Kristin and Harper at my parents 

930am - Head to appointment with Kristin for a sonogram, catch the glimpse of the little one above- it is pretty humbling to see the first glimpse of someone who will be one of the most important people in your life.