Hello Everyone!
Just returned from a week in Paradise! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />
This is the second time we have chartered with The Moorings 474 power cat. First time with 4 couples two years ago. We decided then that we need to bring our kids and grandkids (ages 5-12) to this amazing place. Two sons and their families. Ten of us total.

Day 1, Saturday June 9th.
Had planned to arrive early in the day and head out that afternoon but after plane delays and a No Boat Today sign at the ferry dock quickly realized that would not happen. So a drink at the Petite Pump room to start out adventure.
Arrived at the Mooring base, got all our water toys and provisioning taken care of. Bobbi’s and Caribbean Cellars delivered everything perfectly. Spent the night at the Moorings on the boat. Not by choice!
Day 2, Sunday June 10th.
Off to Cooper Island. What a beautiful day. Boat handled great. Kids can’t wait to get in the ocean as this is the first time for them. Two sons picked up a mooring ball first try like they had done it before. Four kids off the boat into a field of starfish. Took the dingy to the point to snorkel and look for turtles! The dingy didn’t want to run well but seemed to improve on the ride back. The water was amazing. And many people were seeing turtles, we however seemed to miss them all. Oh well, we have a week!
Day 3, Monday June 11th
Up early, headed to Leverick Bay. Another beautiful day. We had contacted Nick and he had a slip and a Safari Jeep waiting for us. We arrived a little after 9am and set out to tour the island on the way to The Baths. With oldest son in charge of driving on the wrong side of the road we set out. What a great way to see the island. And a much better way to spend time at The Baths, which the kids loved! Had a great lunch in Spanish Town but I don’t remember the name of the restaurant. Kids mostly loved that there was a cat chasing chicken thru the restaurant! Back to the Marina, what a beautiful place. We got talking to the 2 boats next to us from Voyager and their Captains. What a couple of nice, knowledgeable guys. We asked about the Bubbly pools, as one son had been told it’s a “don’t miss”. They advised us not to bother this time of year. We should have listened!
Day 4 Tuesday June 12th
Off to Anegada. Kids loved the trip! Very windy day. We arrived got a mooring and were greeted by Barry from Whispering Pines. What a great ambassador. Piled everyone in the dingy to head in. Dingy would not run at all. So we rowed. In the wind we were not making much progress. One of the Captains from the Voyager boats, that had also just arrived dingied (is that a word) over to tell us to say,” You look ridiculous! Throw me the rope”. He kindly helped us to shore. Called the Moorings, they said to call when we were closer.
So we are on shore deciding if we want to rent a car and explore and then ROW the dingy back at the end of the day. In the end we headed back. We are probably the only people to make Anegada a day trip. Got a slip at Scrub, got the out board replaced, truly enjoyed the resort. Wonderful pools and great service. Enjoyed a few of Casper’s Punch!
Day 5 Wednesday June 13th
Off to Jost Van Dyke. On the way we stopped to check out the Bubbly Pools, not much to see, it was not really a pool at all. See, we should have listened. Next time. Got a mooring ball in White Bay. Beautiful day, but really busy. Enjoyed Soggy Dollar and Ivan’s. Adult kids took the newly working dingy to Foxy’s for dinner and said the food was fantastic.


Day 6 Thursday June 14th
Heading to Norman Island. We stopped at Harbors Market in Sopers Hole for a few items. Nice clean store and helpful people and the kids got ice cream. Got to Pirates Bight and got a mooring ball, piled everyone in the dingy to snorkel the caves. The area outside of the caves is just beautiful. The kids were so excited to see so much, even a stingray. But, still no turtle! Husband was pretty sure he saw a lionfish but it went under some rock and didn’t come back out. Back to shore to have a drink and watch the kids play. Soon after, the oldest grandkid thought something bit her. A minute later daughter in-law said same thing. The bartender at The Bight said Jellyfish and got them vinegar. And everyone got back on the boat. There was no way a kid was getting back in the water today. Deliverance came by and kids got more ice cream!
Day 7 Friday June 15th
We took a vote and decided Cooper was our favorite Island so that is where we spent our last night. By the next morning kids had gotten past their experience from yesterday and were back in the water! We snorkeled the rock area at Cooper again looking for a turtle. One daughter in law saw one, but the kids and I were just to slow. Guess we will just have to come back and try again!
Had a great lunch and dinner at Cooper Island Beach club. Great service, Great food, Great view.


Best bets for us
So glad we got UV rash guards for the kids. Took crystal light packs and kept a gallon cold in the fridge. Also had the kids take metal water bottle to keep filled. Worked great to keep them hydrated. Brought snorkel gear from home for the littlest kids assuming nothing would fit them, glad I did.

So now we are home planning our next trip. Thanks everyone for the great advice


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