When a midlife surprise upends his plans, will his dreams of exploration end…or begin anew?
Andrew Jalbert has always been an adventurer at heart. Drawn to the breathtaking island of Bonaire in his twenties, he transformed a passion for diving and natural beauty into a career as a writer and underwater photographer. But with goals to retire to the Caribbean paradise, he was unexpectedly gifted with fatherhood at age forty-three and the challenge of merging two seemingly incompatible lives.
Determined to pass on his appreciation for the dazzling theater of the sunshine and the artistry of undersea landscapes, Andrew annually took his son to the place he so loved. And over the course of their week-long excursion when the boy was five, the doting dad found the isle’s magic renewed by an insatiably curious child.
Back on Bonaire: Rediscovering Diver’s Paradise as a Father is the compelling story of a man who thought he’d enjoyed all of life’s pleasures only to find them enriched by parenthood. Told in lyrical prose, Andrew recounts both his early days exploring the island’s treasures and the wonders of his kindergartner’s fascination. Along the way, he relates the history and culture of Bonaire’s people, illuminates the critical need for conservation, and realizes life seen through the eyes of the young is among the greatest visions imaginable.
Back on Bonaire: Rediscovering Diver’s Paradise as a Father is an expertly woven travel memoir. If you like evocative descriptions, wisdom conveyed with humor, and educational asides, then you’ll adore Andrew Jalbert’s introduction to the tropics.
Winner of the 2020 BIBA Award for Nonfiction/Travel. $1.99 on Kindle.
