We recently returned from the “maiden voyage” of S/V Dancing Days, a 2009 Leopard 46 catamaran just starting out with Pro Valor Charters. She is a former Moorings 4600, just completed phase-out in September and handover to Pro Valor in October. We had a spectacular two weeks of relaxed cruising, despite those pesky swells Sandy kicked up. Everything worked flawlessly with the boat. It has a generator and A/C, which we used on several nights when the wind died.

Saw a lot of wildlife this trip, including dolphins while sailing from Virgin Gorda to Scrub Island. They came up to the boat and swam in the bow wave for a long time. Saw a nurse shark at Sandy Spit, a first for that location.

We also tried out some restaurants for the first time: CoCoMaya in Virgin Gorda and Brandywine in Tortola. Both were excellent and I highly recommend them. Hog Heaven had very good ribs and a view to die for. Our favorite, though, is still the upstairs restaurant at Leverick Resort. We made it there for opening night and were very favorably impressed.

Had no problems with our AA flights to and from STT. We had contacted Kevin in advance and he was there to meet us. Smiths Ferry service was almost on time and we even got to ride on the infamous Bomba Charger, which wasn’t too bad. Native Son was having spotty service and RTFF wasn't operating at all. If you need to rent a car on Tortola, I highly recommend Dede’s (Deadman); and Speedy’s for car rental on Virgin Gorda.

Pro Valor is at Harborview Marina in East End (Fat Hogs Bay). The marina had been recently upgraded with new power stands and underwater lights. The bathrooms are now first class, and there's a new restaurant, Blu, right at the dock.

What is it with people chartering sailboats and then motoring everywhere. I was shocked by how many boats were just motoring around. I can understand it when their destination is straight upwind, but plenty were motoring to a site that would have been an excellent beam reach. Oh well.

Visited Scrub Island for the first time. Didn't take a slip, just dinghied over from Marina Cay. Their pools are spectacular, but the drink prices were shocking!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> $25 for two frozen drinks, plus tip.

We had a lot of fun talking with the people we met. Many visitors to the BVI complain about surly wait staff in restaurants, and I'll admit the first impression can often be that way. But a friendly hello and request for their name, then engaging them in light conversation, always seems to get them to open up and respond. The best of those experiences was meeting Titus, the bartender from St. Lucia at Hog Heaven.

This link has some pics of the boat: http://rrmontgo.shutterfly.com/.

We don't take many pictures of ourselves on these trips anymore, already have too many as it is from past trips. Sometimes it's nice just to enjoy being there and not worrying about capturing the moment on film.

Rob