May 2, 2026
I’d extended my contract to do a hand over with the incoming Entertainment Manager, but when we arrived in Bali, she wasn’t there. After a couple of days, we learned that she wouldn’t arrive until the morning of May 3 – the day I would disembark. When Pat, a resident that I really liked, asked if she could take me to the elephant sanctuary on the other side of the island, I initially told her I wouldn’t be able to go. But with no one to handover to, I was in!
As we walked out of the cruise terminal, there were locals praying.
Bosco, another resident, and Stacy, the Spa Manager (who had just given me an amazing haircut), also joined us. We had a great time chatting on the long, bumpy drive across the island.
By the time we arrived, our excitement level was pretty high.
At the staff’s direction, I took a quick look around the small museum. We had some snacks at the cafĂ© and then entered the jungle.
Then we rounded the corner to find the elephants frolicking in the water.
Of course, we ran into other residents from the ship.
Elephants are my mom’s favorite animal. I loved watching them roam with so much freedom. Our tickets included some snacks for the elephants.
The elephants’ handlers made little sounds, and the elephants posed with us.
After the photoshoot, we watched a short film about the sanctuary and the family who ran it. According to the film, the elephants had been rescued from an island after a fire destroyed their habitat. Here in Bali, they seemed as safe and free as they could be. Each elephant had a buddy, and we learned that at night, each had one foot tethered with a rope so they wouldn’t eat each other’s food.
As we left the film, we saw a group coming toward us. Stacy recognized the owner’s sons from the film! Much of the footage was about 30 years old, so the owner looked older in person – but his sons looked just like he had in the film! We chatted with them and asked if we could have a picture together. They suggested we take it with the elephants!
Later, we got to wash the elephants. It seemed more like a tourist activity than something that was actually helpful, but it was a really fun and unique way to interact with them. The sanctuary no longer offered elephant rides, so this struck me as a really cool, gentler way for visitors to get close to the animals.
It was such a restorative day! It was an absolute pleasure to hang out with Pat, Stacy and Bosco, and being around the elephants brought me a magical sense of peace. And after meeting the family, I had to buy a couple of copies of the children’s book written by the owner that told a story that combined theirs with a local folk tale. It was the best way I could imagine wrapping up my time at Villa Vie.
The next morning, I learned Lynn had arrived. When she finished safety training, she told me she was jet-lagged and had only had a couple hours of sleep. I walked her through as much as I could in the time we had. It was a lot to take in.
We exchanged phone numbers and when she saw my last name, she said, “You’re Edie’s daughter!”
Suddenly it dawned on me – this was Lynn, a Cruise Director my mom adored. They’d cruised together in Japan YEARS ago! When I was starting out as cruise staff, Lynn, through my mom, had given me advice, but she’d moved on from Princess before I had a chance to work with her!
I couldn’t believe the coincidence! I wished we had more time together. I hoped she would thrive in an environment where I had struggled. But it was time to go – I had to get off the ship before it sailed.
My friends came to help me lug all of my suitcases from the gangway to the car waiting to take me to the airport. Of course, I cried the whole way and gave everyone one more sweaty hug. I so treasured the connections I’d made, but now it was time to put my spirit back together.
Even at the airport I ran into a resident from Villa Vie. The community is so big that you keep finding your friends, even after you leave.
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