BEERMAN/MAYTRIX COMBO Part 2

August 9-19, 2015


I wake up early at home and nothing changes in the islands, I think my eyes opened at 0530 hours. I eased quietly out of our berth as to not wake my wife. I slept comfortably through the night in our spacious air conditioned cabin. I stepped cautiously barefooted through the boat expecting the stairs to creak, but I found this new yacht not to have a single creaky spot, nice! Through the large saloon windows I could see the silhouette of Norman Island starting to brighten. I started a pot of fresh coffee and moved through the sliding door to the elevated helm. The smell of fresh sea air made me feel at ease, I was in my happy place. As the skies began to brighten I returned to fetch my coffee and was greeted by my wife, she doesn't miss a sunrise either. Heat up some water for her tea and we move to the trampoline to watch our favorite part of the day together.









The rest of the smiling crew would slowly emerge and embrace the warmth of the sun, the a/c was cranking all night! The nice thing about these newer boats is the efficiency of the separately zoned a/c controls. The Maytrix crew enjoys a meat locker while we set our hull to a comfortable 74 degrees, perfect. Breakfast was soon served with nothing left out! Fresh fruit, cereal, BACON and eggs etc. Even little Conner enjoyed his favorite foods!





We were heading for St John this morning, but we didn't rush. Everyone enjoyed their breakfast and a refreshing morning swim. Each cabin was equipped with its own head with separate shower and I took advantage of the large water capacity of the 4800 this morning. We do follow the normal water conservation rules while on a boat, but with 7 adults I did wonder how we would fair in this regard.







Later in the morning we released the ball and headed along the South Shore of St John. The night before we left home I built a hand rig to fish with instead of renting a trolling rod. I built a wooden H shaped spool and coiled 250 feet of parachute cord to it with heavy line and a steel leader attached to the end. It was not successful during this run to St John and I doubted my handy work!





Sea conditions were relatively calm this day with just a slight roll. The wing on wing trip under clear blue skies took perhaps 2 hours averaging just over 6 knots. It was around 1300 hours when we motored into Cruz Bay anchoring to the left just before the C&I building. Once the hook was set everyone jumped in the dinghy to clear customs together. We entered the building and we were the only ones there. My wife moved quickly to grab the forms from a nearby counter and was abruptly questioned as to what she was doing by a cold C&I officer. I was really taken back by the attitude and treatment we received from this woman. My wife stepped back 5 feet to where the rest of us were standing and we waited patiently for several minutes while this officer handled whatever she was handling. A couple minutes passed and with a disgusted look she said you may get your forms now. Another officer walked in as we completed the forms and she called us over with a smile, thank goodness! I noticed a local charter captain walk in behind us with his clients and he patiently waited by the door until miss attitude motioned him over, he obviously has learned to heel until she gives the secret hand signal!

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Once cleared in we beelined to Mongoose Junction to grab lunch at Deli Grotto, great food and service! After lunch Matt and Stephanie wanted to take Conner back to the boat so I dinged them out while the other ladies started shopping. I immediately returned to the National Park docks and walked through town to meet up with the crew. I grabbed a cold Presidente at a street stand and took my time catching up with the ladies who were undoubtedly searching for jewels. I stopped in at our favorite restaurant The Lime Inn to see if my buddy was at work yet, unfortunately not. I made my way to the Wharfside Village stopping at a bar or two of course. It felt good to be on St John. I joined up with the ladies and we headed up to the Dolphin Market to pick up some provisions for our dinner, grilled Mahi Mahi Taco's with fruit salsa!

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Once back on the boat we discovered one engine was not spitting water, we checked the filter and it was clear, dang it! Good thing about cats is that they have two engines!! We were actually on a schedule today, our friend Denise was meeting us at Maho to join us for dinner in just one hour. With one engine we cruised the magical North Shoreline of St John. Boy do they need rain, the hills were very brown, but still incredibly beautiful. As Conner sat happily at the helm with his Mom and Dad they were guided towards Maho with the help of a distant rainbow. We motored into Maho to grab a ball with just 10 minutes to spare before we saw Denise standing on the white sand beach waiting for the dinghy.

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It is always wonderful to meet up with Denise, she's awesome! We enjoyed catching up on things since we last visited a year ago. She has mad skills with cutting fresh mango too which was helpful in preparing the fruit salsa!! We spent hours talking, enjoying fish tacos, drinking good red wine and were blessed with an outstanding sunset at Maho Bay, good times!

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To be continued...<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Another great day!

When are we going back? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

can't wait for the next installment and photo set!

Fun fun! Thanks for the great write up. Deli Grotto in Mongoose Junction is not North Shore Deli; similar concept, but I think the food is better now. Outdoor seating too, I grab a pint from The Taproom.

Cheers, RickG

Your reports are always so enjoyable to read, thanks for taking the time to post.

Certain staff at C & I can be a real treat. Every Captain we cleared in with over the years have filled us in on some interesting stories about their attitude/behavior/power trips.

I am just starting to resize photos from day 3, could take a while if I know Photobucket! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/smashpc.gif" alt="" />

But here's a "guess where we spent day 3" photo. The 1st person with the correct answer receives an ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP with Conner on his 50th Birthday charter! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Tony, I saw that! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Looks like Leinster SJ.

Ding ding ding! Good eye Rita!

I must admit an advantage. Having just been there and knowing that you headed to St John after you arrived it was not rocket science.

Beerman,

We will making a similar trip to St. Johns's in November from Roadtown to pick up some crew. I'm trying to visualize where you are anchoring at exactly so I don't look like a fool pulling in. I have not been there before so wanted to clarify that the C and I building is behind (east of) Christian's Fort on the peninsula. That is at least where google maps has it located. Looking at a map, it seems the most logical place to anchor is in the northern most part of Cruz bay to me, before entering in to that area where Christian's fort would be off the starboard side (hope that makes sense).

Or are you saying it is possible to get closer to the C and I building without blocking the path to the National Parks dock, etc.?

Appreciate the added info and have enjoyed the report since it follows a similar path for me starting off this November. I would ask where your next stop is after Leinster but will wait patiently for the next report. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

The picture is not where we anchored - I think that was taken on the way in. There's two viable options. Take a ball outside towards Caneel bay and dinghy in (this is what we usually do) or see if there's room to anchor to the left as you enter Cruz bay heading towards Customs. It's labeled as an anchorage on most charts and has room for a few boats - we were alone to start and two others joined us.

We have always taken a ball in the past, but since we had Conner plus 7 adults, I figured a shorter dinghy ride would be best if possible.

Thanks Matt, wasn't expecting such a quick response this early on a Sunday. The mooring balls you speak of towards Caneel Bay are around the corner outside of Cruz Bay or are still inside of Cruz Bay? I'm assuming you're not talking about the ones in Caneel Bay which seems like a pretty long dinghy ride. Thanks again for your help. Am jealous of the pictures but it is giving me something to look forward to this fall.

They are not in Caneel bay, but around the corner outside of Cruz bay - not RIGHT around the corner, but close enough - it is a decent dinghy ride, but not bad with a smaller group - had it just been 7 adults, it would have been fine.

Got it. Was thinking all the mooring balls in Cruz Bay were private so just wanted to make sure I was on the same page. I think you're talking about the ones near Salomon Bay/Honeymoon Beach area. There will be 4 adults only on this leg so should be easy enough dinghy ride if no anchoring room when we get there. Thanks again!

The ones in Cruz Bay are - it's around the corner to the east heading towards Caneel where there are balls you can use. They are probably considered part of Caneel bay, but there are some that are much closer to Cruz bay. That's what we've always used in past trips.