My trip report…not wanting to be so lengthy but I wanted to give a few high lights…
I went early and stayed a two days later allowing me to spend some time with friends and go to Quitos CD release party which I hope rockets him to the top of the Reggae World…His Concert was really a significant event for me…this is his best stuff by far and between Cool Water, and Hush, a tribute to Lucky Dube, one or the other is bound to take wings…
My girls arrived a day late and ended up arriving at EIS through IAH, MIA, SXM and SJU. Figure that one out…but they got there! Originally it was STT so Tom Garvy and I went to St Thomas to drop off some friends and pick up the girls, which did not happen, and we returned the next day… Bonnie made her way to Quitos…Tom said goodbye and our week began.
The first morning at around 9:00 a.m. with the girls on the beach and me messing with the boat I slipped and fell from the helm station and my first point of impact was my upper thigh on the corner bulk head and then my shoulder into the cabin sole… only, after about five minutes was I able to figure nothing was broken and that I could get up…Two weeks later my left leg still hurts…slowed me down for a couple of days…. We stayed another night in CGB to let me recover and see if I would be able to sail. Otherwise there were no significant events on the trip to cause other pain and suffering!
The Boat…Sanctuary Tom Garvey’s IS 37 is a dream to sail, along with the Island Spirit 40 that are basically the same boat but longer sugar scoops can be found at ProValor in the near future, one of our sponsors. She is easy to short hand, roomy, queen berths, plenty of water and fuel, new chart plotter…never thought I would like one in the BVI so much…the biggest issue we had with the boat was Bonnie breaking the boat brush scrubbing down the topsides…GlennA you may be held responsible… great boat for a family or a few couples... more if close friends!
Our route was simple and sailed in 10-15 knots most days with two days dropping into the 5-10 knot range. We started in Cane Garden Bay with one long tack halfway to Anegada back to North Sound and Saba Rock/BEYC where Bonnie and Emily dove their $220 total cost, two tank “private charter” with Kilbrides, as no one else showed, and were very kind to go with the group dive anyway. Got to give them credit!
Then a quick motor to Leverick and a slip with the preferred TTOL rate…and the best BBQ and Party in the BVI with Jumbies and the Latatude Stars filling the dance floor! Thanks to Nick and Monica! Friday nights at Leverick should not be missed! Girls enjoyed showers and internet…as we were backing down in the slip and I was looking for boat side help my youngest announce she was online already….
Since White Bay Jost was priority and my injuries were still limiting we headed down the Drake in a wonderful 20 mile reach to Norman Island and lunch at the Willi-T, it always amazes me that I can move a boat that far and have my teenagers sleep almost the whole way …I must admit I forgot how good their food was at the Willie -T…The Roti…Burgers and Fish were excellent…thanks Mal and Candace via Tom for the Gift Certificate…I tipped Zeus and the Crew heavy…all was well behaved and we were gone about 1:30 and over to Benures Bay and set the hook. Benures Bay was fantastic to snorkel and we all were able to swim with a nice sized nurse shark in the 5 ft range for a few minutes …never done that before…we had a 3 ft remora the took up residence under the boat and provided entertainment. Next day nice sail to Soper’s for a few things and then to White Bay on the Sunday afternoon…set the hook in front of Ivan’s close to the reef…as far away from the action as possible… the place was a zoo…with day boats and charter boats…never seen it so crowded…had a drink at SD and then went to Seddie’s and met Jacob, Seddie’s son tending bar. Anne thought he was cute…! I did not get the Rasta Mans name playing the guitar/harmonica…he’s in the pictures…does Dylan better than Dylan, and was very entertaining, I wish I would have tipped him more…if anyone sees him give him another $5.00 I will pay you back!
Off to CGB for the night and BBQ at the Elm and the “Elm Tones” Steve and George who are without a doubt a must in CGB on a Sunday…$15.00 for the BBQ and 2 for $5.00 Presidente and Music…this is one of the under discovered entertainment values in the BVI.
Had to dropped the Girls off in Trellis the next day as my oldest has a commitment with a volunteer organization, Amigos de las Americas to teach hygiene to elementary age kids in Highlands of Mexico six weeks and that drove our plans this year. I took the boat back to the management company and stayed a couple of days hanging out with Manpot and his lovely wife Candace and Bart the Labrador, a guest dog, with his owner off island.
Other highlights…
Cheese Burger at Stanley’s Cane Garden Bay (Twice)
Ginger wine Chicken at Palms Delight (Twice)
Nice Lunch at Islands Beachside at Sugarmill
Hanging out with good friends….
Meeting TTOL’ers all over the place and being counseled by my daughter’s about meeting people online!
Pictures are up but not labled but as many people know its people and not vistas found in most of my pictures and for that matter most of my three favorite subjects…I an truly blessed in this world.
