The Terrycloth Travelers

When you're sailing the Caribbean for seven days with picturesque views floating across the horizon, the last place you'd likely want race back to is your windowless cabin below deck. But when that same cabin is home to an ongoing battle of creativity, resourcefulness, and comedic panache, well, suddenly it becomes the highlight of your trip.

Sean and I first met our friendly cabin steward Don in the hallway, where he greeted us by name, recommended a few activities, and parted ways with a broad smile. In the evening we returned to our first of many towel creatures, sitting stoically on our bed. Cute! I shouted, But what is it? A dog? A bunny? I set it aside carefully on the nightstand and thought no more about it.

Day 1: Dog-bunny

The next day we returned to find our dog-bunny gone, and a new towel friend in its place. Ok, we agreed, this one's easier. It's an elephant—very cool! Again, the childhood stuffed animal collector in me didn't want to see our new towel creation unravel, so I gingerly lifted it and set it aside on the nightstand.

Day 2: Elephant

By evening three, Sean knew the best way to convince me to swing by our room to drop off a few things was to taunt me with the mystery of what tonight's towel surprise would be. Sure enough, the thought of a new one quickened my pace and we soon navigated the maze of hallways and disconnected floors back to our room.... And both immediately burst out laughing.

Day 3: Manatee

A manatee, wearing my shades (and looking pretty fly, might I add), was sitting in its predecessor's stead. Giggling, we dashed off a note and headed out the door just in time to be greeted by Don from down the hall: Hello, Sean and Merli! How is your stay? You are having a wonderful time? We quickly assured him we were, with Sean adding, By the way...love today's manatee. Got a kick out of that!

Apparently a little acknowledgment of his talents and appreciation of his skill was all Don needed. Thus began our 3-day battle to out-clever each other in the field of creative towel folding...

Our note to Don.

Don's note to us.

First came the following little gem: A Playboy Bunny, blowing a kiss.

...and the accompanying "Sexy Playboy Bunny."

Day 4: Blowing a kiss!

One day and one towel folding class later, Sean and I concocted the following:

Game on.

Day 5: Meet Donatello.

What a sassy pair they make! Note the "shell" made of a towel thieved from
the pool, and the perfectly constructed tail thanks to our towel folding class.

That night we came home to find the TV blaring and two unexpected cabin guests relaxing on our bed...

Day 5, evening: Well, well, well... Who do we have here?

"I was hoping you'd walk in thinking it was the wrong room!"
-Don

"The eyes? Oh yes.... I cut up a mardi gras necklace."

As a parting gift, we left a final note and repurposed our monkey's head for a slithering snake, but as always were shown at the end of the day how it's really done.

A note goodbye.

Day 6: Monkey turned snake!

Our final reply...

Day 6, evening: ...and a far better snake.

So while Sean and I certainly spent our fair share of time sipping free champagne and perusing fine artworks, it was our terrycloth travelers that really added the creative touch to our Caribbean adventure.