Altitude and Ambitions
Amber and Dan would be reviewing two resorts on this trip. One, already established, in the Mediterranean, and the second, a brand-new local spot nestled in the Himalayas. Amber was a bit anxious about leaving things behind while they were thinking about new construction and still building the brand. But she had good people working for her, and she needed to start trusting them.
Dan was anxious for entirely different reasons. He knew this would be work, but he wanted Amber to enjoy herself—and he wanted to enjoy Amber.
They quickly moved through the airport, were placed at the head of the TSA lines, and quickly boarded Trace Progressive's luxurious jet. Amber was not new to such planes; her eyes ran over the buttery leathers and other luxury enhancements. It was nothing to her. But when Dan looked at the polished mahogany and gold finishes, he found himself comparing it all to Blue Serene's sustainable aesthetic. He felt gluttonous, guilty, and a bit lacking.
It was going to be a long flight, and they were going to endure it in the finest luxury. They were served an opulent Mediterranean meal with a wonderful ouzo. Amber enjoyed Greek yogurt with honeyed figs, and by the end, she was exhausted. She lay her head on Dan's lap as he continued to work. She had been watching a television positioned before her, but Dan soon realized she had fallen asleep. He looked down at her soft red hair and how it lay across his lap.
He hesitantly ran a hand over the beautiful tresses. He had almost lost this special woman. He was ashamed to never have truly seen her. He gently lifted her and took her to the soft bed in the stateroom. He placed her in the bed and quietly debated whether he should undress her or not. He almost called the stewardess, then forced himself to calm down; he undressed his wife and put her in the nightgown she had in her day bag. He looked at her for a long moment—knowing his love for her and finally seeing who she was.
He took his video equipment back to his seat. He leaned in close to the camera, the blue glow of his iPad reflecting in his eyes as he whispered.
"Okay, I've got the coordinates for the night kayak. I'm looking for a high concentration of dinoflagellates near the sea caves. I want Amber to see that luciferin reaction in person—real 'cold light' from the ocean. I know my brilliant biochemist wife will love that. But the part I'm really excited about? I found a local lapidary—a stone cutter—on a small island off the coast. We're going to do a bit of 'vug hunting' for some chrysocolla. If we find a good piece, he's going to turn it into a cabochon pendant for her right there in his shop. A piece of the Mediterranean she can wear back at Blue Serene."
He checked the doorway before continuing. "This is only the first of our destinations. I also have a new resort to show you all in the Himalayas, and I want Amber to enjoy this trip so much that she will continue to do reviews with me. When we head for the alpine tundra, I want to show her how anthocyanins protect the flora at 12,000 feet. It's the ultimate lesson in resilience. Stay tuned, guys. Let's see if I can pull this off without her catching on."
He ended the recording and began to edit the video into shorts. He yawned and froze. Could he sleep in the same bed as Amber? In the end, he called the stewardess and slept in the comfortable, reclining oversized leather chair with a thick blanket.
Amber woke first. She moved languidly in the large, luxurious bed and realized she was alone. Part of her was disappointed, and another part of her felt loved and respected. She smiled and slid out of bed. The stewardess saw her and automatically brought a cup of tea.
"We will be landing in another two hours, ma'am. Would you like anything to eat?"
Amber sipped her tea and was pleasantly surprised—it was a wonderful chai. She took another long sip, looking at Dan as he slept. "No. I will wait until Mr. Trace wakes. Can I take a quick shower?"
Dan woke to a beautiful, fresh Amber. After he showered, they ate shakshuka, pesto eggs, and savory yogurt bowls. They spoke with smiles and soft laughs, sharing glances that hoped for more.
Finally, they landed and moved quickly into the heart of the Mediterranean country. They hopped into a waiting car, and Dan had his video equipment out. He began speaking as the airport vanished behind them. "We are here. It will take us twenty minutes to get to the wharf, and from there, we'll take a boat ride across to the resort. Yes, guys—this resort is an entire island. When I tell you it is inclusive, you can do just about anything considered Mediterranean there. Amber and I will try to experience it all."
The camera moved to find Amber's wide, vibrant smile. "I am excited and ready to experience it all. The Mediterranean is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world, so I hope we see at least half of that diversity."
Dan turned the lens back to himself. "Oh my. The gauntlet has been thrown. I am sure this beautiful country will meet the challenge."
He ended the video and immediately began to edit. Amber smiled at him, and he looked up at her, his smile just as wide. They made two more videos during the boat ride and a third as they checked in. Finally, they were in their luxury room. Dan turned the camera to Amber as she threw open the balcony doors.
"This view is exquisite! Beautiful blue waters, white sands, and Mediterranean architecture." She moved to the room's gift basket and began showing the artisanal goods the resort had provided. Her eyes sparkled, and Dan's smile broadened. He had finally found the true Amber Ann Lance, and she was his.
He turned the camera back to himself. "No time for rest. We have jam-packed our schedule. Now we are going to explore the amenities of the resort. There are three full restaurants, several interesting bars, and four pools, just to begin. Come on, honey. Get into a swimsuit; we have three hours before our appointment at the sea-cave spa."
He watched Amber head into the bedroom, then whispered to the camera so she couldn't hear. "And tonight, my first surprise. Kayaking in bioluminescent waters."