I wanted to go somewhere epic for my fortieth birthday. As I was looking at air bnbs to stay in somewhere along the coast I saw Captain Ralph, A private boat to Catalina, sounds epic! And it was! My parents had been to Catalina many times before but I was to young to remember and they spoke of the island often with fond memories. I suddenly realized this was exactly what I wanted to do for my fortieth and my boyfriend Glenn agreed, he too had never been to the island. We arrived to port late due to heavy traffic and it was of no concern to Captain Ralph he let us know we didn't have to worry or hurry just drive safe and we can leave whenever we arrive. He kept in contact with us every step of the way. Upon arriving he helped us park and showed us where to get what we needed at the Ralph's which was conveniently located right there at the docks. He had two people meet us at our car with shopping carts and they took everything from our car into the carts and on board for us. And upon boarding ourselves they helped us get organized but not before capturing some pics of Glenn and I on the front of the boat with the sunset in the background. Before leaving port Captain Ralph and his right hand man, Allan. Gave us a tour and a proper introduction of themselves and there background and everything we needed to know about our journey ahead. Then the engines came on and right in time for sunset we cruised out of harbor on calm seas aboard "Mabuhai" on our way. It was so beautiful I was in tears and had to call my parents to share the moment with them. The ride there will forever be one of my most fondest memories, the see was calm and Captain Ralph turned music on and his disco ball and my boyfriend and I danced in the cabin, it was absolutely perfect. We enjoyed a drink on the patio and went up to the deck to drive up top with Captain Ralph and Allan. They were so accommodating that when I asked if we could slow down because getting there is half the fun he turned engines down and we cruised. As we began to see the island lights in the distance I started singing a song I remember my mom singing since I was little about Santa Catalina. "26 miles across the sea Santa Catalina is waiting for me, Santa Catalina the island of romance." Captain and Allan had been coming to the island for years and never heard of the song, quickly he had my phone hooked up to his very large boombox type portable bluetooth speaker and turned it up and we all sang along to the Catalina song. The waves were perfectly moving to the music as we inched closer and closer to our paradise...