Chapter 781: The "Meini"
The next day brought another beautiful, sunny morning. The group gathered in the hotel lobby to prepare for their outing. Due to Liu Yimei's pregnancy, it was deemed unsafe for her to join the boating excursion, so Liu Lili stayed behind to accompany her. Meanwhile, Bruno, Vanessa, and Yimei's four close friends headed to the passenger dock.
Bruno's yacht was none other than the Riva 88 Florida, a masterpiece by the renowned yacht brand Riva. As a spiritual successor to the Riva Bahamas line, the Riva 88 Florida is a revolutionary vessel that combines the best of open yachts and coupe yachts in a single design. The first unit was completed and launched in late 2014, with its global debut in early 2015.
The Riva 88 Florida features cutting-edge technological innovations. For the first time, Ferretti Group introduced its patented convertible hardtop system on this model. This system allows the yacht to transform seamlessly from a coupe yacht to an open yacht and vice versa with a simple operation. The hardtop can be positioned in three configurations, offering aerodynamic performance and versatility. This model also boasts exceptional performance powered by MTU engines, providing multiple engine configurations for buyers.
The standard Riva 88 Florida is equipped with two MTU 16V 2000 M96 engines, each delivering 2,638 horsepower. The yacht achieves a top speed of 39 knots and a cruising speed of 34 knots, with ranges of 315 nautical miles and 340 nautical miles, respectively.
A High Price for High Luxury
Owning such a top-tier yacht doesn't come cheap. Bruno spent a hefty $10 million to purchase it, with annual maintenance costs running into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Fortunately, Bruno's substantial income and the wealth of both Vanessa and Liu Yimei made such extravagant expenses manageable.
Currently, Bruno's after-tax annual salary at Manchester United exceeds $50 million. When combined with endorsements for over a dozen brands, his annual earnings surpass $100 million, placing him on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.
Vanessa, though no longer active in the entertainment industry, had become a savvy angel investor. With Bruno's guidance, she doubled the £50 million she earned from Leicester City's Premier League win, solidifying her status as a multimillionaire.
Meanwhile, Liu Yimei, a domestic A-list star and a goddess adored by millions, earns over 100 million RMB annually (equivalent to more than $20 million USD). With years of accumulated wealth, her net worth has surpassed $400 million, even outpacing Bruno's current earnings. However, given Bruno's skyrocketing income, it's only a matter of time before he overtakes her.
Thanks to their collective wealth, the trio can comfortably sustain such an opulent lifestyle.
Exploring the Yacht
For Liu Yan and her companions, all celebrities accustomed to luxury, this was their first time experiencing such a magnificent yacht. Upon boarding, they couldn't help but explore every corner, marveling at its state-of-the-art design and luxurious amenities.
Naturally, Bruno took on the captain's role. The pristine white yacht was as luxurious as it was comfortable, equipped with all the modern facilities one could imagine. Operating the yacht wasn't particularly difficult for Bruno, thanks to its advanced GPS navigation system.
At the dock, an Italian representative handed over the yacht and briefed Bruno on the finer points of its operation. This yacht, named Meini, was a joint purchase by Bruno, Vanessa, and Liu Yimei after their wedding. The name combined one character from each woman's name.
Typically moored at a yacht club in Italy, the Meini was rarely used. Transporting it across the Atlantic for this trip had been no small feat.
As a Riva 88 Florida-class yacht, the Meini is a large vessel, measuring 26.9 meters (88 feet) in length and 6.3 meters (21 feet) in width. It boasts four luxurious cabins, including a full-beam master suite, a VIP cabin, and two guest cabins. With enough space to comfortably host over 20 passengers, the six-person group had ample room to spare.
Setting Sail
After ensuring everything was in order, Bruno steered the yacht into open waters. As they ventured into deeper seas, the water turned a rich shade of blue, free from debris or pollution. The seamless blend of sea and sky created a breathtaking, tranquil scene.
The yacht occasionally passed fishing boats along the route. The women waved enthusiastically at the fishermen, who responded just as warmly, adding a cheerful, human touch to the journey.
Not long after setting sail, the novelty of the open sea began to wear off for the women. One by one, they made their way to the helm, all clamoring for a chance to steer the yacht. After all, what could be more thrilling than taking control of a luxury vessel on the high seas?
Bruno eventually relented. They had ventured into the deep sea by then, with no other boats in sight, so he felt there was little risk even if they zigzagged across the water. He stepped aside to let An Yi and Tang Yan take turns at the wheel, indulging their curiosity.
With the ocean breeze brushing their faces, everyone took turns at the helm, enjoying the sense of freedom and adventure. The GPS ensured they didn't stray too far off course.
After three hours of sailing, a small island appeared on the horizon.
"Hey, look! That's San Salvador Island ahead!" An Yi called excitedly from the bow, pointing toward the distant land.
Earlier, while she was piloting the yacht, she had cranked the engines to full throttle. The Meini plowed through the waves with majestic power, leaving a trail of white foam in its wake.
The women crowded toward the bow, thrilled to see seagulls soaring overhead. Their destination was near.
Bruno resumed control of the yacht, preparing to dock and meet up with their diving instructor on the island.
The Wonders of San Salvador Island
While flipping through a travel guide, Vanessa shared some fascinating details about San Salvador Island.
"This is one of the easternmost islands in the Bahamas," she explained. "It's actually the peak of an underwater mountain range. The island is rich in history, with monuments, ruins, and shipwrecks that tell tales of its colorful past. Its beaches stretch for miles, hidden among steep cliffs, with crystal-clear waters that offer visibility of up to 150 feet for divers. The island's interior is dotted with saltwater lakes, where artifacts from 18th-century settlers are waiting to be discovered. Oh, and there's a whitewashed Catholic church that doubles as a museum!"
Tang Yan looked puzzled. "Why would Europeans travel such a long way to build a church here? Were there even many people living on this island?"
Among the group, An Yi was the youngest but the most academically inclined. With a degree in English and a keen interest in Western history, she was quick to respond.
"It's cultural colonization," she explained. "In 19th-century Europe, the Vatican held significant power. Missionaries spread Catholicism worldwide, often as a means of extending their influence. The Bahamas was once a British colony, so while the British used force to occupy the land, they also employed cultural and spiritual conquest through institutions like churches."
After a pause, she added, "In a way, these churches were like outposts—a front line for cultural and spiritual invasion."
Vanessa clapped her hands, signaling a change of subject. "Alright, let's not dwell on history. The shallow waters around San Salvador Island have stunning coral gardens, known as 'underwater flowerbeds.' We're going to explore them later—it's going to be so much fun!"
Exploring the Island
Upon arriving at San Salvador Island, the group decided to visit the Catholic church mentioned in the guidebook first.
The island also featured unique coastal and volcanic formations, as well as breathtaking sea caves and cliffs. Since they planned to stay on the island for two days and one night, there was plenty of time to explore without rushing.
After touring the island, they made their way to the Octopus Diving Club, where they were provided with all the necessary diving equipment and assigned one-on-one instructors to guide them.
For Bruno, who had prior diving experience, this was all second nature. The coral reefs around San Salvador were located in shallow waters, just one to two meters deep. During low tide, the reefs even protruded above the water's surface. Locals often free-dived without oxygen tanks, collecting coral with just a snorkel.
The women, most of whom were not strong swimmers, initially had some reservations. However, the shallow waters and simplicity of the activity quickly put their fears to rest. Soon, they were eager to give it a try.
Once everything was ready, the group returned to the yacht and set sail for a quiet diving spot.
Diving Adventures
The water conditions were perfect that day. Bruno chose a secluded spot, dropped anchor, and ensured all safety protocols were followed. To avoid accidents, he insisted on taking the women into the water in pairs.
Understanding the importance of safety, everyone readily agreed.
The first to dive were An Yi and Tang Yan, while Vanessa, Liu Yan, and Zhang Liangying stayed aboard, waiting their turn.
San Salvador's reputation as a diving paradise was well-earned. Beneath the emerald-green waves, the underwater world was a kaleidoscope of vibrant coral reefs teeming with life. Fish darted through the coral, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
An Yi, ever the daredevil, even ventured close to the seabed to touch a lemon shark.
(To be continued...)
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