We were invited to be paying guests on Cattitude, along with Debra (IslandPlace) and Mr. IslandPlace (Tom), and their friends, David and Marylee, all from Texas. Except for Lance, all of us were non-boaters, and didn't all know one another. Paul was our captain, and Carolyn first mate and chef extraordinaire. We found Cattitude to be a beautiful, well-equipped, and comfortable boat. Luckily we hit it off great with everyone, and the privacy factor was never a problem.
We generally had two meals a day on board and usually did dinners ashore. Carolyn's meals, recipes, and presentation were absolutely wonderful!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> Eggs benedict, to-die-for caramel French toast, jerk pork salad, fresh mozzarella/tomato/basil salad, taco salad. At our request, she even made her signature potato salad a second time for us!
Cruising around was awesome. We started out in Trellis Bay and saw the mocko jumbies and fireballs at the Cybercafe full moon party. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" /> Great snorkeling at Monkey Point - saw a school of 30 or so huge tarpon cruising around the bay in circles amid a "cloud" of zillions of silversides. And one aggressive horse eyed jack fish, who swims right at you and veers off to one side about 5 feet away as he approaches ...gheesh <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />
Had a great time at White Bay on Jost. This little pink-shirted woman was waving at us as we came into the bay, and we realized it was CindyH! Joined her and Gene for many painkillers (always readily available on board, too!) and lunch as we listened to Reuben playing at the Soggy Dollar. Went down to Seddy's and were amazed with his magic tricks.
Next morning we motored over to Diamond Cay, and hiked to the bubbly pool, which was REALLY cookin'!! Then to the Bight and dinner at Pirates, and a taste of Elvet's HiTest rum. After dinner, we dinghied over to the Willy T, which was packed, and FUN! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" /> A few naked jumpers, and a couple of gals dancing on the bar that the men enjoyed watching.
Next day got over to the Caves and snorkeled. It was a little too rough to snorkel inside, but the fish were amazing. Carolyn and Paul were wonderful with snorkeling tips and encouragement for our “virgin” snorkeler. Next stop, the Wreck of the Rhone for more snorkeling. Very impressive. Interesting to see a couple of divers down below us – they looked so small “down” there. Lots of interesting fish there, too. Off to Cooper Island for our overnight anchorage. Lovely place and very good restaurant. Try the flaming rum custard!
We spent a little time back at the marina, and had a great last dinner together at the Fort Burt Restaurant, across the street and uphill from TMM. The food and service were excellent, and we also enjoyed the nighttime view of all the lights of Roadtown and surrounding hills. Came back to the boat and played this silly, silly game called “Dirty Minds.” Laughed so hard our bellies were sore! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /><img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
After the Texas couples departed for Cane Garden Bay for a few nights on land, we continued on Cattitude with Carolyn and Paul. Went up to Leverick Bay with the hopes of continuing on to Anegada the next day. But it was a rough trip bucking the wind and swells the whole trip, and with no change expected with the winds, we decided that the trip to Anegada wouldn’t be so pleasant, plus the snorkeling there was unlikely to be satisfying. There were practically NO sailboats going anywhere….the wind was unrelenting. We even saw a small cruise ship tie up at Leverick’s dock for the day. It was a great day for napping! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/snore.gif" alt="" />
We spent time at Leverick Bay, and up by the Bitter End. Went to Leverick’s pig roast barbeque buffet and watched the mocko jumbies again….they were awesome. Met up with JD and Judy; they joined us for dinner.
Snorkeled at George Dog, lunched on the boat at Great Dog. Paul grilled delicious cheeseburgers as it showered off an on. Then motored over to Marina Cay, went ashore and poked around. Lovely place, and we got to visit with Allison Logie, who we knew from the Sandcastle on JVD. Great seeing her again. Once again, Paul grilled in his rain jacket in the blowing wind….tuna steaks with wasabi cream sauce…yum.
Next stop Monkey Point at Guana Island, so we could snorkel here again, and Carolyn could take pictures of the tarpon. This time there were only a few of them. We agreed this was the best snorkeling spot. We moved over to White Bay to anchor for the night. It was so peaceful and beautiful there. Paul grilled AGAIN in the wind. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/chef.gif" alt="" /> He deserves some kind of medal for grilling under adverse conditions, and never complaining once, and managing to hang onto his flashlight, tongs, and spatula all at the same time he was placing cheese on the burgers.
Our last great sleep – love that rocking feeling all night, and another snorkel with the tarpons in the am, and then it was time for us to get to Trellis and catch our flight back to Connecticut.<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />
Being on a boat for an extended stay was new to all of us, and Paul and Carolyn did everything to make us comfortable and happy. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" /> Anyone who wanted to was encouraged to try piloting the boat, and Carolyn and Paul were great teachers to all us boating “newbies.” It was sooooo much fun to have the boating experience without any of the work/worries. And we made wonderful new friends, too!
Photos are available at
lanceq Connie aka periwinkle and Lance aka Ceilteach
