Trip Report Feb 28 - March 6, 2012 On Verna Breeze

Pre-amble:
Drove 2 ˝ hrs to G.P. spent nite and caught provincial flight to Edmonton and then onto Vancouver. Spent weekend visiting relatives and back to airport for final nite before catching international flight to DFW in morning. 4-hour layover, then onto San Juan for another nite at an airport and caught Cape Air in the morning to Beef Island. Those twin prop 8 seater planes sure are an experience.

Our first view of the islands. [Linked Image]

Got a quick taxi and off to Village Cay Marine to meet up with Captain Chris, Kelly and the Verna Breeze ( http://www.viewyacht.com/vernabreeze/ ) We arrived early so had our first drink on the islands overlooking the harbour.

Captain Chris showed up in the dinghy and we headed off to get my fishing license at Last Stop Sports. Then off to the Verna Breeze to meet Kelly and have our first Painkiller. After a quick tour and safety instructions we were off and sailing.
Captain Chris telling stories and me enjoying another painkiller.
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First stop at The Bight and Pirates Bight Beach Bar. Wife got some personal snorkeling lessons from Captain Chris in the bay. (This personalized service was why we charted this kind of charter.) She was excited to see as much as she did and even saw a stingray. After an afternoon snack we headed off to the caves for some more snorkeling. What a neat experience and the Wife LOVED it. A little reminder of my diving in the Cenotes in Mexico a few years ago.

Back to the boat for dinner and then off to Willy T’s!!!!!!! Wow what a party boat. We were fairly early and the crowd was slowly building. But I felt like an OLD MAN there. We were the oldest people there. Looks like a Great place for the younger crowd and they were partying pretty hard. Didn’t see any body shots (probably too early) but did see a demo of the wake board shooter.
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Bought the customary T-shirt of course.

Back to the boat for some relaxing and then to bed after a first full day in the islands. I was surprised (don’t know why but I was) at how many boats there were in the bay. Counted 52 boats and it didn’t even seem crowded. LOL

Feb. 29. Our 6th Anniversary. (leap year)
Sailed to White Bay on Peter Island and left wife on beach while I went diving with Chris. Just a short dive at a personal favourite spot he has around the corner from white bay. Saw my first turtle and a HUGE lobster.
Back to White Bay to spend the afternoon with the wife on the beach. We were basically alone on the finest white sandy beach I’ve ever seen. Went for a walk and upon our return to our thatched roofed hut there was lunch and wine waiting for us. Kelly had outdone herself.
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After lunch I sent the wife on a seashell hunt. Upon her return she said she found a treasure under one of the shells.
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Wow how lucky can you get eh!! Lol
After a fantastic afternoon on the beach we went back to the boat for a cheese and meat platter appetizer with Pina Coladas (for a change). Dinner was Lobster and grits with Lava Chocolate Cake for dessert. A super fantastic day for our Anniversary and couldn’t have asked for a better location. Again Kelly and Chris out did their selves.

Up for a breakfast of Drunken French Toast with our daily plate of fresh sliced fruit. Cruised around Peter Island checking out the different bays and the Resort. What a fancy resort ($$$$$$$$). Bought a couple of trinkets and baubles. Talked to Conrad and bought a couple of small conch shells from him. Interesting man he is. Off to Cooper Island for some more shopping and beach walking. I had to have a nap as the sun from yesterday I got burnt and was worn out. I have also picked up a very nasty cough. Stayed at Cooper Beach Bar for drinks and sunset.

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Before heading out in the morning Captain Chris outdid himself again and got a LARGE conch shell for us from a friend of his at Cooper Island.

My cough was very bad this morning and it was decided we would skip Anegada (and my bone fishing :(:(:() and head to Road Town so I could see a Dr. I had a lung infection and needed antibiotics. While at the Dr.’s the wife shopped around Road Town with Captain Chris as her guide. I was a couple of hours so she had lots of time and fun shopping while I was suffering at the Dr.’s. Then over to Trellis bay where she did some MORE shopping. I thought we were going to see lots of beaches and avoid shopping on this trip. Boy was I WRONG lol. Oh well….. if she’s having fun then so am I……

After some expensive shopping yesterday at Trellis Bay we headed for Saba Rock and BEYC in the morning. Got some great pics. Can’t believe the colors of the water.
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and even saw the feeding of the Tarpon.
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COOL
Supper was Swordfish with Chocolate Mouse for dessert. All I can say about the chocolate mouse is that it was sinful………. And should be a crime to make it so good.

A light breakfast and then off to The Baths. What a Cool place. The obligatory pics.
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After a couple of hours checking out the baths we headed over to Jost Van Dyke, White Bay and the Soggy Dollar Bar. We actually anchored in Great Harbour and used the dinghy to get over to White Bay. Visiting and drinking at the Soggy Dollar Bar is one of my top three bucket list items so I was pretty excited to finally get here.
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Even took some time to play the local game.
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Spent some time drinking Painkillers and enjoying the wonderful ambiance of the beach, people and area. LOVE it here. [img]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/shmoky4/BVI/2c820b36.jpg[/img]
Checked out One Love and Gertrudes. Came back to SDB and had another painkiller. Bought lots of souvenirs and traded my Canadian Pins for some SD pins.
Went back to Great Harbour and had dinner at Corsairs as recommended by Captain Chris. Great food and Great service too. I was surprised at how fast the food was after hearing about so many horror stories from restaurants on the islands. No extra ‘tax’ (tip) on the bill either. Had to deface the wall with our own graffiti.
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Drank Bushwackers here and think we found another favorite drink.

Over to Foxy’s for a rip roaring party as there was a small cruise ship in the harbour. Lots of people our age but everyone partying up a storm. Was amazed at all the paraphernalia on the walls and ceiling. So had to add our own and found a special place beside the TTOL catfighters flag.
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Had to stop and talk to Foxy of course.
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Eggs Benny for breakfast then back to SDB for sand and drinks. Here I am thinking about how I can stay here forever. [img]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/shmoky4/BVI/abbe00a9.jpg[/img]

A little rain shower for a little excitement (felt good). Then followed the trail over to Ivans. Forgot the shoes so it was a little rough on the feet but I don’t think I was feeling too much pain by this time anyway. Love this picture on the trail with Ivans in the background.
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Last day (1/2 day) on the boat.
Had to make a stop at Sandy Spit for more sand and pics. What a Great little Island.

We have had an incredible time on the
Verna Breeze( http://www.viewyacht.com/vernabreeze/ ) with Captain Chris and Kelly. Their knowledge of the local islands and secret spots was ideal and they made the special moments VERY special. We will miss them immensely. Anchored off of CGB and had a final Bushwacker and said our farewells.

end of part 1


God will forgive you.... Mother Nature won't. Please DON'T LITTER


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