Sorry this is so long everyone. Hope the pic link works.
Thursday, March 5: “To the LEFT, Craig”
Landed at Beef Island around 6:30pm via San Juan, from Newark, from BWI….not the best connections but all carry-ons for 13 days! How’s that for light packing? Met up with friends Rob & Cathy waiting for us at de Loose Mongoose. Had car waiting for us at the airport from National. An “eventful” drive from EIS to CGB ensued (a bit more difficult to find your way in the dark and ended up in Road Town instead of CGB). Craig did a great job driving in the dark except for the one time he turned around on a dark road and forgot to stay to the left – almost had a head-on collision with a local who was not at all happy with us. Hadn’t driven in Tortola for about 10 years so we really needed a better map than what we had. Eventually made it, went to dinner at Quitos and danced/enjoyed Quito playing some great music. Stayed the night at Rhymers. The rooms were a bit run-down, but it was what we expected and you can’t find a better location right in the middle of CGB for the price. Leona & Patsy were very helpful and it was great to meet them in person.
Friday, March 6: “Lots of drinks while waiting out the weather/Meeting Mike & Jean”
Breakfast at Rhymer's – very good and affordable. Weather was a bit cloudy and windy, so we packed up and went to Myett’s for drinks – we’re on vacation, right? After several rounds and eventually lunch (great chicken Roti) at Myett’s, they sun came out, but so did the cruise ship crowds, so we headed over to Smuggler’s for more drinks and lounging on the beach. Ahh, just what we all needed – especially after all those drinks. It was peaceful with only a few others on the entire beach. Craig finally coaxed us off our beach lounges to head over to Road Town to drop off the car at National and meet up with the rest of our vacation buddies, Michelle & Joe, and also meet our Captain and First mate at Village Cay Marina. Dropped off all of our luggage on Jeannius and got up to speed on the workings of Jeannius. Mike and Jean joined the 6 of us for a great dinner at Spaghetti Junction. Slept aboard Jeannius very comfortably.
Saturday, March 7: “Willy T, Woo-hoo!”
Bobby’s came in the AM with all but one item correct. Decided to pick up one or two extra items in Road Town, had breakfast on Jeannius then headed over to the Indians for snorkeling. The swell was up a bit so the visibility was not wonderful but it was great to be in the water. I lost my dive/snorkel gear except for one fin. I was the last to get on the boat and was putting my stuff up on the first step when a huge wave came out of no where. I quickly swam out of the way of the boat slamming down on top of me, but the wave had washed away my EXPENSIVE mask, snorkel and fin before realized it. Talk about bad timing! We sailed over to Norman Island and had dinner on Jeannius. The swell was still up so Mike took us over in 2 trips of 3 to the Willy T rather than us taking the dink alone. A fun night ensued! 4 of us did a few board shots while enjoying other patrons jump off the top of Willy T – some with clothes, a few without. The bartender shared a couple old photo albums with us, wow – no viewing this unless you are at least 21. Yikes!
Sunday, March 8: “Joe’s Friggin Drink and Flip Cup”
Breakfast on Jeannius. Sailed to Great Harbor on JVD. 5 of us swam to shore while Mike took Cathy and our “stuff” over with the dink. Explored Great Harbor, shopped, hung out on the beach. Had lunch and drinks at Foxy's. Foxy came over and made us laugh with his rhymes and jokes, and making fun of our home state, Maryland. Also met Taboo, who was very sweet. Later had dinner on Jeannius and came back over to Foxy’s for a night out. Turned out to be a slow night at Foxy’s. We met up with a group of about 10 college kids at the next table and one other older group from another table. Soon, all 3 tables were pulled together and we all played Flip Cup – one side vs the other. Our group of late 30s and early 40 something’s held their own – probably from all the college partying experience and partying we still do now. I (Kim) was named MVP by my new college friends on my side of the table. Don’t remember how I got back to the boat.
Monday, March 9: "Bubbly Pool - who needs directions?"
Decided to have breakfast on land for a change. Unfortunately, nothing was open except for A&B's. Not a good experience here. We ordered and after a very, very long time, (and we’re all fine with “normal” island time) one plate came out….then, another 10 minutes, another plate came out. Then, we saw a gentlemen leave and come back with a dozen eggs – 10 minutes later, another plate came out, repeat here 3 more times. Breakfast was quite a long experience, and was really filled with more grease than eggs. A couple of us couldn’t eat it. We all laughed about it – especially the part about going out to get more eggs…but wow, it was expensive for bad food and crazy slow service. Although I do have to say the couple serving, who must have owned the place, were very nice.
Sailed to White Bay and 5 of us swam ashore again. Cathy got a ride in the dink. We enjoyed original Pain Killers at the Soggy Dollar although I think Craig makes them better. We played ring toss and generally lounged on the beach for a good part of the day. The swell was still up, however, and Captain Mike did not feel comfortable staying the night on White Bay, so we pulled up anchor and headed over to Diamond Cay to see the Bubbly Pool. Joe & Craig snorkeled to the mangroves and met us on the path. However, we weren’t exactly sure where we were going. I led the way, sure we were on a path (turned out to be a goat path). Enjoyed some spectacular views along the way. Finally found the Bubbly Pool. It was really rough. Joe and Craig went in and got tossed around a bit. It was late in the evening, so most of us decided while it looked fun, a cold, wet walk back to the boat with no sun would not be enjoyed. Dinner on Jeannius that evening as Foxy’s Taboo was closed due to holiday.
March 10 - Tuesday - "Kim – poo-plant girl! Thanks, Robby!"
Breakfast on Jeannius. Motored to Guana Island and snorkeled at Monkey Point. Again, visibility was not great due to the swell, but we did see an abundance of fish. The highlight was a 2 ½ foot Barracuda until we saw a 4 ft Barracuda! Only a couple feet from me…it hung out for a while, so I decided to swim away instead. Didn’t like the way it was staring at me for so long. Also saw a small group of tiny squid hanging out by the rope mooring ball. Haven’t seen squid in a while, so that was also very cool. Lunch on Jeannius then went back in for more snorkeling.
Tried to make it to Trellis in time for the full moon party and to meet up with our new college friends from Foxy’s, but all the mooring balls were gone by late afternoon. So, we sailed to Marina Cay and enjoyed happy hour with Michael Beans. Rob broke a leaf off an Aloe plant which I decided to smear all over my arms. Only after that, did we realize the Aloe smelled like poo!!! Off to wash my arms in the restroom while everyone got a great laugh. I’m here to entertain! Dinner at Pussers – main dish was good, but sides like potatoes and veggies were cold. Overall, enjoyed the night and the great view. Somehow, found our way back to the correct dingy and correct boat.
Wednesday, March 11: "Hanging out at the SandBox"
Breakfast on Jeannius. Sailed to the North Sound and spent a day at the Sand Box on Prickly Pear. It was beautiful, lazy day of drinks, lounging in the sand and swimming. Docked at the Marina at Leverick Bay and had dinner on Jeannius. Drinks at Leverick in the evening.
Thursday, March 12: "A bumpy sail to the flat island"
Breakfast on Jeannius and then sailed to Anegada. A bit rough but we enjoyed the sail greatly. Had lunch on Jeannius on Pomato Point and swam in the water a while. Took a taxi to Loblolly Beach and walked along the beach. Much too rough for snorkeling. Dinner on Jeannius. Played cards in the evening on Jeannius.
Friday, March 13 - “Craig almost takes Michelle out/CGB fun"
Breakfast on Jeannius while anchored at Anegada then a beautiful sail to Tortola. Huge waves but we were going with them this time, so it made for some relaxing sailing. Ate lunch on Jeannius while anchored at CGB. Swam for a while then got ready for happy hour at Myett’s. Waves were coming in at the dock at Quito’s and Craig nearly went overboard on the dink and took Michelle with him. Happy hour at Myett’s was enjoyable. Headed over to Quito’s for dinner, drinks and dancing. Quito and the Edge were playing. Mike and Jean joined us for dessert and dancing. Music was really great until late in the evening when it went a bit more rap. Tried to sleep on the trampoline but got rained on again.
Saturday, March 14 – “Good-bye to Jeannius"
Breakfast on Jeannius. Michelle & Joe pack up and get dropped off in CGB to head home from RT. Kim, Craig, Rob & Cathy join Mike on a provisioning trip to Bobby’s in CGB before heading over to JVD. Met Manpot on Quito’s dock. Nice to finally meet you Malcom!! Hopefully next time we’ll have more of a chance to talk. Would love to get to know you. Jeannius takes Craig, Kim, Rob & Cathy to Great Harbor on JVD. Very sad good bye to Mike and Jean – we love them. Took a cab to the White Bay Villas – Banana. Beautiful view. Very nice accommodations. Walked down to Gertrudes for lunch and "pour your own rum" which was a bit dangerous! Dinner at Corsairs was delicious. Vinnie was a great host. Enjoyed good local musician but I can’t remember his name – Eric Stone I think. He was really good. Played cards at the villa in the late evening and slept soundly with the double doors open wide to the view and breezes of white bay.
Sunday, March 15 - "Diving & Pizza on our minds"
Breakfast at the Banana. Kim & Craig went scuba diving in White Bay with Brian at the dive shop. Bought all new stuff for Kim since I lost everything – got a good deal as everything was 50% off. Immediately upon arrival at first dive site, we saw 3 dolphins. But the spot looked too choppy and swell too rough, so we went around the corner to a wreck – Pirate’s Plight, I think, at about 90 feet. Couldn’t stay down long, but it was a very interesting dive. Second dive was the Wall inside White Bay – about 65 feet max. Lots of coral formations and interesting fish life. Again, visibility was not great, but we made the best of it. Darn swell! Rob & Cathy went shopping & beaching in Great Harbor. We met up in time for drinks before dinner. Everyone was craving pizza and Vinnie agreed to make it for us for dinner (it’s on his lunch menu). We must have been starving as we ordered 3 pizzas for 4 people. Early night tonight. Played cards back at Banana.
Monday, March 16: "Mimosas for Breakfast/Good-bye to Rob & Cathy"
Breakfast at the Banana with Mimosas to celebrate the trip and turning 40 (Kim & Rob). Craig & I walked Rob & Cathy down to the ferry dock and said good-bye. Then, we did a little shopping. Grabbed lunch and headed out to do some snorkeling at the base of White Bay Villas. The water was the calmest and clearest we had seen it. Immediately getting in, we were shocked at the number of fish – no wonder the pelicans are diving here all day long – there were more fish than water! Coral heads starting to form too. Hopefully, this spot will stay protected and not get too much abuse from careless swimmers/snorkelers. We even saw two small octopus hiding under rocks. Great spot. Wish the rest of the gang could have been with us. Spent the rest of the day hanging out around Soggy Dollar, playing ring game and enjoying the sun (when it came out).
That evening, we made dinner reservations at Sand Castle. Was about to walk down for dinner and it started to pour. Called 5-6 taxis but they all had fares. Didn’t really want to eat dinner in soaking wet clothes, so I called Thad & Malia for suggestions and Thad offered us a ride as he was heading down anyway. Thanks Thad!!!! After dinner, walked back up in very light rain. Joined an older English couple on the walk as they were staying at Coconut just above us. Also wanted to keep an eye out for them as it was dark and there were rocks and hills to traverse. No worries with them…at the young age of 70, they kept pace with us, talked the entire time, and never seemed the slightest bit winded. Boy, that better be Craig & I in 30 years!
Tuesday, March 17 - “Saying good-bye again to the BVIs”
Breakfast at the Banana villa early with lots of packing. Walk down to the ferry dock for the 9am ferry over to West End. Oh no, realize we’re out of cash after paying for the ferry. Taxi stops in Sopers so we can pick up some Pussers and get cash from an ATM. ATM doesn't work with our card…where’s the next one? Second ATM does not work. Finally, we find a cooperative ATM in Road Town. Head out to Beef for our flight. Taxi charges $45 – which isn’t terrible considering the stops and the length of the trip. Check in and drop off our luggage at EIS, then head over to de Loose Mongoose for a few drinks before our 12:30 flight back to San Juan. Saw our 3 bottles of rum for the last time getting pulled out of the wing luggage spot – never showed up in BWI…so someone is enjoying it. Arrr.
Overall, it was a fantastic trip. Mike & Jean on Jeannius could not have been better hosts. We had such a great time with them. Everyone agreed we could not have found a better crew. I truly hope we have the chance to sail with them again. Anyone booking a trip on Jeannius is in for a treat. They are such wonderful, genuine people.
My only personal regret was going to Anegada. The weather did not cooperate, so we really couldn’t do much. We were really all looking forward to the good snorkeling we had heard about. I think in hind sight, we should have gone to the Baths or to Cooper or Peter. And, although I LOVED the sail over and back, I know it was rough on a few of our friends.
It’s difficult to pick out a favorite place as everywhere we went was beautiful. It certainly was different than our usual villa stay on Mahoe Bay, VG. I would absolutely do it again. I would also stay on White Bay again too. It’s so beautiful and reminds me of VG when we first started going 12 years ago. White Bay Villas are lovely – and it was recommended that we rent a jeep while there – even for 3 days because of the hills. But I have to say, I really enjoyed the exercise after all the eating and drinking. We usually walked down to Great Harbor or White Bay twice a day and back up. On our last day we did it 3x (minus the trip down with Thad). If you want a little exercise, you don’t need to rent a car. We loved it.
Thanks everyone who made recommendations and helped with information prior to this first sailing experience. I know it won’t be our last! Our girls (8 & 10) who have always gone to VG with us, are begging us to take them sailing.
Link to pics:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/570613816ZzqtFY
