TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands July 13-26 Trip Report - Part 1

Now that the post-vacation depression is in full effect, I suppose it’s a good time to write a trip report! This turned out to be pretty long, so I’ll break it into a few installments:

Hubby (Allan “LivinLarge”) and I, along with our two friends, Bill & Tammy spent 11 days sailing on Island Fun, chartered through Captain’s Compass. Here’s the day-by-day rundown:

July 13 – We departed Tulsa on time, and connecting through Atlanta was a breeze as usual. We arrived on St Thomas a few minutes ahead of schedule. However, while in Atlanta, our friends traveling from California had messaged us to let us know they were delayed because “some drunks had to be removed from the plane” in LA, delaying their departure and making them miss a connection. The next available flight would be putting them into STT just in time to miss the water taxi we had set up.

I’ll skip the huge, long, drawn-out fiasco which ensued, and just say Kevin Campbell really came through for them. Also, David at Foxy’s Water Taxi was equally our hero that day. Thanks to David, we all got to West End, cleared customs with zero hassle, and arrived Sea Cow Bay by 6:30 pm. David even threw in a pair of flip flops he thought belonged to us. These came in handy when Allan blew out a flip flop about 5 days into the trip.

July 14 – As became the routine, I was first up and started the coffee around 5:30. I love sitting on the bow, enjoying sunrise with a cup of coffee and some silence. The guys went to pick up our liquor order at Caribbean Cellars while we girls waited at the marina for our Bobby’s order (which was 99% correct).

Once provisions were stowed, we had our chart briefing with Brent, and he got us on our way around 11 am. We headed over to Norman Island, picked up a ball and began to unwind and enjoy the day, swimming, and drinking and visiting.

We had an easy lunch of hoagies on the boat, and later went for dinner/drinks at the Willy-T.


July 15 – I had volunteered to be the chef for our trip, and so started breakfast each morning once I’d had my coffee and everyone was up and around. Today was just an easy breakfast sandwich before we made our way over to The Indians early. We had a nice snorkel, and then off to Cooper where we grabbed a ball and resupplied with Ice.

For lunch, I made us a cold chicken & pasta salad. Then we floated around, tethered to the boat, sipping some nice cold beverages. Happy hour & dinner at Cooper. I love this place so much! Great food, great service, great atmosphere.



July 16 – I enjoyed my coffee and a great rainbow this morning. After a quick breakfast we made our way to the Dogs for some snorkeling. I was amazed at the condition of the reef at Great Dog. The northeastern section is like an aquarium – so beautiful!

After snorkeling we motored over to Prickly Pear and grabbed a ball. The guys took the dinghy to resupply us with ice, while Tammy and I tethered ourselves to the boat and floated around, sipping on some cold beverages (pattern developed…repeated almost daily).

When the guys returned we had a light lunch of wrap sandwiches. Then we loaded up the cooler and hopped in the dingy to go hang out on the beach at Prickly Pear for a while. What a beautiful beach day, and so relaxing.

At dinner time we cooked up some Fajita Burritos (the guy’s did the grilling), and enjoyed a nice evening just visiting and thinking about where all we had been and where all we still would be going.



July 17 – Up and at ‘em, and a quick hop over to Leverick Bay Marina to the slip we had reserved. Off the boat and to the rental car for the drive over Gorda Peak and on to The Baths. Everyone had a great time, except for my embarrassing panic attack (I knew better just from looking at Gorda Peak…should have medicated, but didn’t). Tammy & Bill had never seen The Baths before and they thoroughly enjoyed it. I was glad they got to experience it, and I enjoyed just sitting in the shade, people watching. (Plenty of people watching…the Baths have become kind of a zoo.)

Afterward we had a drink or few and a snack at Top of The Baths and to Savannah bay for a while. Later, a stop at Hog Heaven where we had a late lunch and some drinks. The view from here is spectacular – which seems lacking as a description – there has to be a better word for it. The food and service here were great also!

We arrived back at Leverick mid-afternoon and I jumped at the chance to get a massage. It was heavenly, and it was just what I needed. I felt a tiny bit guilty that my husband was doing laundry while I was getting the royal treatment. But I got over it by helping him fold towels later.

We had dinner at the Cove at Leverick. I generally avoid salad, but today I was dying for a salad for some unknown reason. I loved their Caesar with chicken – it hit the spot!

Later, I took an opportunity to do some night photography at the marina, and ended up with a few keepers.

[img]https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8633/28736012856_046435020f_n.jpg[/img] [img]https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8518/28149784074_46a192a157_n.jpg[/img] [img]https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8126/28662293492_751796a74b_n.jpg[/img] [img]https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8587/28152416933_2b4cbe8c14_n.jpg[/img]

July 18 – Once again, up early for some coffee and a quick breakfast while we waited for the boat behind us to be moved so we could leave. We had wanted an early start to Anegada, but our placement in the slip made that impossible. Still, they got us out of there somewhere around 9am - no worries. Apparently everyone else was heading to Anegada that day as well. The number of boats headed that way was pretty impressive to see. We had a very nice sail, and easily slipped right into the mooring field, grabbed a ball and relaxed.

Today’s lunch was “cheeseburgers in paradise” grilled on the boat. Sometimes food seems better just because of where you are and who you’re with. This was probably one of those times. Just a simple burger, but with the backdrop of Anegada for a view, it was perfect and very memorable!

After lunch we went ashore to make dinner reservations, rent a car, and enjoy Cow Wreck Beach. We hung out here for a couple hours and relaxed, taking in the always amazing view. This is one of my favorite spots on the planet.

Dinner was at Wonky Dog, of course. Every single bite was exquisite. I don’t exaggerate at all with that statement. I would go back to the BVI, and directly to Anegada for a meal at Wonky Dog alone…it is THAT good. The foie gras appetizer is out of this world. And the “Wonky Dog Lobster with saffron risotto, pea veloute, foie gras, pancetta” is incredible!

We returned to the boat to relax and enjoy a few more drinks. Off to bed, where we were kept awake by the incessant boom of the loud disco music from Potter’s. This went on until at least midnight. Even with the best earplugs it was obnoxious, and we were on the very outside edge of the mooring field. This is the only negative I have found about Anegada. I can’t imagine they have enough clientele to warrant all that noise

[img]https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8486/28690232621_9b240a4901_n.jpg[/img] [img]https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8854/28662229202_6f2d7f4a3b_n.jpg[/img] [img]https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8222/28735843936_f8156ca044_n.jpg[/img] [img]https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8641/28751486586_4af46c946c_n.jpg[/img] [img]https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8810/28751486796_e8a94f5377_n.jpg[/img] [img]https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8756/28705945491_8a7374ac7a_n.jpg[/img] (this last one is a video…click on the pic to view)

…to be continued…

Great report! I would be interested in hearing about Captains Compass and the boat. Cheers! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Loved the video of Aaron juggling bottles at the bar at Wonky Dog. We were there in June and had a fantastic dinner for our 30th anniversary. Aaron also did his fire blowing act. Oh to be back on Anegada.

Aaron did do his fire-breathing act while we were there too. Great and funny guy !!!

Great pics! Thx for the report!

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Quite a complement when it comes from BEERMAN !!!

Yes, he's the king of Trip Reports! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />