OCT. 13, 2012 - SATURDAY
Three couples with landing times at STT within 30 minutes of each other from different parts of the USA and three different airlines. What are the odds, well, it did happen. We were all able to share a taxi to Best Western Emerald. Great hotel, great beach, great bar, okay restaurant, slowww service! Fourth couple arrived later that night. We met some really fun, interesting people in the bar that night. About 12 of them, they were also going to Tortola the next day. They chartered 2 cats from Voyage. Ended up running into them on our 2nd week land based trip. Fun group of people. I remember they called one Big Larry and he was!

OCT. 14, - SUNDAY
Ferry to Tortola. They cancelled all ferries but one because of weather and we felt lucky to catch it. Bomba charger. Needed to go to Roadtown but they were only going to East End. Took a taxi with 8 to Hodges Marina, wild ride!
We chartered from Dream Yacht Charters, a Lagoon 450 – Katlo. Beautiful boat, Yann at DYC was great. We spent the night on the boat, rained all night. Awesome sound! We had provisioned from Caribbean Cellars for booze, $1,400. Worth – GEEZ Everything arrived fine, few problems, but I called and they came out immediately with the correct items. Riteway also did a great job. And we rented kayaks with Island Surf and Sail. Happiness all around!

OCT. 15, - MONDAY
After a painless check out in the morning and all provisions on board, we took off to Leverick Bay – moored. Snorkeled and frolicked in the beautiful warm blue water. Ate dinner on the boat. Why does food taste so good outside? Did I mention that we had 3 Linda’s and a Wendy on board. By the end of the week, we were calling her Winda! And a Rick, Rock, Gary and Mike.

OCT. 16 - TUESDAY
In the morning, we motored over to Leverick Bay, bought ice, water, checked out the place. It was a little empty, will have to come back another time. Had a nice day of sailing. Sailed around Necker, Dog Islands. Spent the night at Marina Cay. Scrub Island looks like someone took a bulldozer and ruined the side of a beautiful island. No thank you. We can go to Las Vegas if we want that.

OCT. 17 - WEDNESDAY
Motored down to Soggy Dollar Bar. Stopped along the way and snorkeled Monkey Point. It was a little murky from the storm. Had a wonderful dinner at Sandcastle Restaurant. Interesting, they have you pre-order around 4:30. I guess then they hightail it to the store – haha. We were seated promptly at 6:30 and had the most delicious meal of the entire trip. All eight of us were very pleased with different entrees and dessert. Spent the night in White Bay. Nice and calm.

OCT. 18 - THURSDAY
The next morning we sailed to the Indians, snorkeled. Picked up a mooring ball at The Bight. We went to Willy T’s for dinner and drinks. Wow, that was a wild ride. I can see how it could get crazy there. It was October and the slow season and it was packed. Rescued a floating dingey, watched some interesting videos in the bar. It was fun. Good food too! The two guys that were working that night did a great job of keeping things flowing.

OCT. 19 – FRIDAY
Sailed over to Roadtown, needed supplies. Docked next to Necker Belle, HUGE! Had lunch at Village Cay and watched people. Sailed back over to Peter Island. About half way there, VISAR pulled up beside us. Oh, no! We thought we were in trouble for something. They wanted to practice drills on our boat. We kept sailing and they tried getting on without slowing down. Didn’t do too well, back to school.
Moored in Great Harbour and had it to ourselves. Did some exploring with the kayaks, some took the dinghy to the Yacht Club. Beautiful evening, thank goodness we were alone because every night we were pretty loud and late on the flybridge.

OCT. 20 – SATURDAY
Another beautiful day to sail, went to the Baths. Hard to explain to someone how awesome these rock formations are. You really do have to see it.
We had a great time at the Baths. We walked thru and then hiked to the Top of the Baths Restaurant. Unfortunately, we didn’t bring a credit card or money so no drinks or dip in the pool. We will be back. Great shops up there too. We all went swimming on the beach. Great snorkeling there. Made burgers on the boat and sailed back to Cooper Island for our last night before turning the boat in.
Dinner at Cooper Island was wonderful. Great food and the place is really pretty.

OCT. 21 – SUNDAY
Back to Hodges Creek Marina and unloaded the boat. Dream Yacht Charters are very helpful. Great crew. No problems and no complaints with the boat. We ALL brought too many clothes, not enough money – haha. It was our first time and we definitely learned a lot. Next time will be a breeze.
Actually just booked our next couples trip with DYC again on a Lagoon 450 – 3 cabin for Oct., 2013. We may have spoiled ourselves in getting such a beautiful boat for first time. Maybe we should have started with something older and smaller to work our way up. The forward seating area by the trampoline is beyond appealing. And we spent every night after dinner on the flybridge because it is so huge and all 8 fit up there. The pads on the bimini were great to lay out and still be part of the conversation with the captains.
Six of the crew were catching the ferry back to STT and another night at Best Western Emerald.

My husband and I stayed another week, two other friends arrived and we rented the Sterling House for a week of beach life.

We have caught the BVI and sailing bug! Joann at Virgin Island was extremely helpful when planning our first charter. She has since booked another one for my husband and I in April with CYOA. Always cheerful and willing to go the extra mile.