Trip Report March 11-20, 2010

The good, the bad and the ugly!!

First—the cast: <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

BigSam (Captain Bruce)
Jgoodwin (Judy, first mate)
Sarah (daughter in law)
Danny (son)
Willie (grandson)
James (grandson)
Kate (granddaughter)
Mary Elizabeth (friend of granddaughter)

The good <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />—arrived STT 20 minutes early, grabbed the 1 30 RTFF (had to ride inside due to an unexpected downpour); however this was the last rain of the whole 9 days. Our good friend, Sue met us at the West End ferry dock and took us back to her condo where we were greeted with gorgeous hors d’ouvres and champagne!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> After that Sue and I went swimming in the sea using her wonderful floats (not really swimming, just lazing around). Our plan was to spend Thursday night with Sue at her place, then get on the boat Friday morning. Captain Bruce would do all the “boat stuff:” while Sue and I went shopping and put everything away. Thursday night had drinks at the Dove and a great dinner at Spaghetti Junction. Friday AM bagels and lox on Sue’s terrace overlooking Road Town harbor. Then off to the supermarket and Tico’s. The rest of our “crew”, my son, daughter in law, three teen age grandkids (2 boys and a girl) and a friend of my granddaughter’s were to arrive Friday night on Cape Air into EIS. I wanted to get the boat all provisioned and prepped prior to their arrival. Got that all done—could have never done it without Sue’s help!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Had a nice lunch at Pussers in Road Town—a bunch of appetizers to share—perfect!! After finishing off at the boat, Sue said goodbye for now and headed home to peace and quiet!!

Kids et al arrived on time at EIS—BRAVO to Kimberly <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />—they got the total VIP treatment—were they surprised when they were whisked past everyone and shown into the lounge and feted with lemonade and lots of smiles! C&I and baggage all handled for them. What a treat!

The bad— <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />my daughter in law who gets seasick did not realize that we were doing a sleep aboard the first night so she had not put her patch on in advance. This resulted in 2 days of real unpleasant seasickness for her—the first day (Saturday) she spent most of the day hanging over the rail! Poor Sarah! Anyhow, Friday night after arrival and settling in on the boat, we had dinner at Charlie’s at the Moorings. I found that restaurant only adequate at best and absolutely outrageously priced for the quality of the food. I would not eat there again.

More good- <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />-After an uneventful evening, we were able to get an early start (about 10 30 AM) on Saturday morning—sleep aboards are great! We headed to Marina Cay—poor Sarah—the seas were not in her favor. It was a pretty rocky, rolly trip. We picked up a mooring—chore delegated to grandson Willie who is quite tall and has the longest arms!! He became an expert. Spent a lovely afternoon just being lazy at Marina Cay and returned to the boat for dinner and relaxing. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Sunday we had a fabulous sail up to Anegada. Sarah’s patch finally kicked in!! We always award the first newbie to spot the island a prize and this time grandson James earned $5! We rented a car from ARH and kids went to Loblolly to snorkel. Rest of us vegged on the beach at Cow Wreck. Met up with Walker, chatted with him, with Andy and Bud Photo. All lunched at Cow Wreck—lovely as usual. Gave kids tour of island—really got a kick out of the deserted “roads” the goats and cows wandering around. Had dinner at ARH—lobster was very good, all else ok as well. Unfortunately only spent one day there, since kids had all kinds of dives arranged for the week.

Monday AM headed down to Leverick Bay—had reserved a slip with Nick for two nights. As usual, great host—everything just right. Spent the afternoon via taxi to the Baths. Everyone loved it, splashed around, climbed, etc. Returned back to the boat for some relaxation, beverages and dinner.

Next day was scuba central. My daughter in law and James had scuba lessons there and trained in the pool—James took to it like the proverbial fish to water, Sarah not so quickly. (This was the day of the s….le invasion of a prior post, so I will not belabor it here) They had a dive scheduled that afternoon so off they went. Teenage girls, hubby and I spent a lazy afternoon by the pool.

As for scuba, James, Willie and my son, Danny were great, unfortunately Sarah did not like it at all and spent the afternoon reading on the dive boat—good thing she took a book! That night we ate at the restaurant upstairs at Leverick. The food was very good; the atmosphere delightful, but quite pricey even by my NYC standards—however, cannot beat the view!! Retired to the boat sated and happy. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

On to Cooper—as you can see we did not go many places since the kids really wanted to do a lot of diving and snorkeling. They had dives scheduled from Cooper the following day, so after we arrived (BTW, that first day, Wed, even at 5 PM there were moorings left, however next day, Thursday, by 1 PM there was nary a mooring to be had and boats were anchoring all over the place—not near us, thank you very much!!) they all took off snorkeling to Cistern Rock. Were enchanted by the “aquarium” there. Beached it up a bit in the afternoon—did some swimming and just chilled. Again, dinner on the boat—we prefer to cook our meals on the boat—find it relaxing not to have to dingy back and forth, especially after drinks and darkness!

Thursday was our last full day on the boat—again a dive trip for the boys and beaching for the rest of us. In the afternoon, the boys joined us on the beach and we swam, read, drank, read, drank—you get the picture.

Sadly, Friday we had to return the boat—sailed around a bit prior to taking it in. Always sad for us. This trip was much too short—generally we spend a minimum of 8 nights and 9 days (sometimes more)—this time due to kids school schedule, it was very short. Don’t think I would do such a short trip again—by the time you are out, it is time to return. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

Interesting, the two teenage boys took to sailing and diving with gusto—helped on the boat, steered, did lines and fenders, did boat hook duty,etc. The two teenage girls did NOTHING!!! They lazed around, read, giggled, slept late and spent a lot of time slathering themselves with sun screen!! Forgot to mention the highlight—James caught 2 remoras!! He absolutely freaked—what a great experience for him—of course we cut them off. Caught nothing we could eat, but that was ok.

The ugly <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />—we were delayed over 5 hours going home (also in a prior post)—worst was Continental told us via trip alert to go to the airport at regular time because “things change”. This resulted in 5 hours in STT airport—I will not expand on that experience. Also, for those traveling during high peak times (weekends during high season, vacation, spring breaks, etc) the airport was an absolute zoo. I have never seen it so bad. Some was caused by the interminable delays, but some was just hordes and hordes of travelers. When I was down in November, I flew home on a Saturday and literally strolled through baggage check, C&I, security, in less than half an hour. This time it was nasty.—almost two hours for the whole deal. Not a way to end a vacation. But, have to take the good with the bad (and the ugly).

Now, have to start planning the next trip. Hope we can make it in 2011—we are also planning a New Zealand/Australia trip in March-April 2011 which might put the BVI off to 2012. Hope not. In the meantime, I will continue reading TTOL and live vicariously!!
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