Hi All,<br><br>Just back from our best trip ever, still shaking out sand and stumbling on sea legs. This was our 5th charter, 3rd to BVI and each day brought something special for us. Knowledge gained on this forum helped make some great moments.<br><br>Skipper and crew all from Denver plus my mom from Kansas City for a total of six. Three of us were first-timers.<br><br>Day 1 - Friday 22 Nov 2002<br><br>Up and away early for the 6:15 flight. We tried to adhere to "half the clothes - twice the cash" but we still had 500 lbs of luggage, although some provisions were included. Flights were easy and we're into Beef Island about 8:30PM.<br><br>We had purchased the new "Gold Package" from Trade Winds which includes airport pick-up, help onboard, drinks, dinner at Harbour View, and chart breifing over dinner. Doug from Trade Winds was right there for us and made everything very easy. We had the yacht Fantasea, a Beneteau 461 previously with Sunsail. She has a little wear and tear but a marvelous boat overall.<br><br>After dinner, I asked about Bings and sure enough this place does exist. Suzanne, our waitress for dinner, offered a ride and we had a very interesting time. I spoke with Bing and he explained some of his paintings for me. This place is for rum, dancing, and meeting locals late at night.<br><br>Day 2<br><br>Up mighty early considering and everyone's busy. Provisions delivered by Riteway at 9:00AM sharp, thanks very much, plus a few more from Sailors Ketch down the street. By the way, for any fisherfolk, Sailors Ketch also has rigged Ballyhoo. Soon, we're off for a sailing lesson for the inexperienced of our crew, MOB drill, and right across to Cooper. Good winds, 15 to 20 knots ENE. Good snorkeling at Cistern Point and grilled tuna onboard. Yum.<br><br>Day 3<br><br>Up and away to the Baths by 10:30AM. No balls available so we had to anchor which was OK. Snorkeling was great as was Mad Dogs. We stayed till 2:30PM then up to Saba Rock. We got to watch the Broncos play in a snowstorm back home and had a generally great evening.<br><br>Day 4<br><br>Free water and one bag of ice at Saba Rock with the mooring ball fee, then we're off to Anagada using Walker Magnum's excellent navigation and my Garmin GPS. Fantasea starts hitting 8.5 knots on a beam reach all the way up. Everyone's looking to spot the Island first. We thru out the Ballyhoo on some 200 lb test handline and caught a big Barracuda. Hauled the creature in with the ladies imploring that we release him but with those teeth, no way. Ended up using a shot of rum on the beast. We saw Anagada from about 7 miles out and found the channel easily. What a blast!<br><br>Hooked a ball and headed for Anagada Reef Hotel where we were greeted very nicely, rented a vehicle, and made dinner reservations. Headed for Cow Wreck and had the place to ourselves for 2 hours. What a beautiful spot in the world.<br><br>Dinner was excellent. Likely the best lobster we've ever had. Anagada Reef Hotel seems to be getting almost all the business, as the other resturants were quiet. Just as we finished dinner, a squall came through with pretty high winds driving everyone undercover. When it passed we dinghyed back and just as we got onboard, here comes a big Sunsail cat trying to anchor right beside us in the mooring ball field. It's about 10:00PM and these folks must have been at the channel when the squall hit. After a bit of discussion, they kindly chose to move over a bit allowing me a better nights sleep.<br><br>Day 5<br><br>Stayed at Anagada. I hope it never changes. We drove around, went to Pam's Kitchen, then walked the beach and added to the trash sculpture. Limed away the day. I did discover that some folks are using an anchorage off Pomato Point. Unmarked channel of course but must be over 6 foot depth.<br><br>Day 6<br><br>Up early and off to Cane Garden Bay arriving about 1:00PM. My older daughter cooked hot wings along the way using newly aquired Anagada hot sauce. Yum, doesn't get much better. Ladies had shore showers, hair braiding, and steel pan band lessons at Myetts. We joined our waitress dancing with a candle on our heads. A caution, the young people in our group were offered mushrooms on the beach. Off to Bombas for a look see. Pretty good crowd and an interesting band. No skin. Very enjoyable but I missed Anagada already. Our dinghy got caught up under the dock, doh, and broke the transmission lever. <br><br>Day 7<br><br>Thanksgiving Day and Tortola tour day for the ladies. Off they went with a $55 taxi arrangement. Breakfast at North Shore Shell Museum, lots of fun, shopping in Roadtown, and back to Sopers Hole. The young man and I took the boat around to Sopers, filled up with water, had a cheeseburger, and headed over to the Jolly Roger for football. Actually, due to info from this board, we had come to Sopers for the Thanksgiving pot-luck at the Jolly Roger. It was wonderful, about 150 people, the owner Lou and his 91 year old mom, dancing, great food.<br><br>Day 8<br><br>Still full from dinner, we headed over to Sandy Cay, anchored and had a good snorkel. A fellow on a crewed cat nearby was in a chair up the mast taking photos. Headed over to Jost and anchored in White Bay. A cruise ship was anchored out, ferrying Europeans in and out and K.C. was a very busy bartender, pouring and talking non-stop. Went over to Foxy's for a great barbque dinner.<br><br>Day 9<br><br>Wife and I started the day walking around Great Harbor. Went to the bakery, tried to feed the mongose, identified most of the plants along the road. A three year old boy tagged along from the bakery acting as the youngest tour guide ever. He pointed out flower, bird, boat, and other sights for us until we walked him back.<br><br>Got going and arrived at the Caves about 12:30PM. Just as we cleared the tip of St. Johns, the lead boat of a large race zipped by asking us to please clear the course. We did so and had a good view of the action. The caves were the best snorkel of the trip. We stayed until a party cat showed up with about 50 people onboard then we went to Pelican, also very good snorkeling.<br><br>Our last night aboard, we anchored in Little Harbor on Peter and had a quiet dinner.<br><br>Day 10<br><br>Sadly back to Trade Winds after a few tacks across the channel. Everyone helped and clean-up was quickly done. Check-in was easy. We used 21 gallons of fuel and would have run out of water had we not refilled along the way.<br><br>Said our goodbye's and taxied over to Tamarind Club Hotel for one night. The Sunday brunch was going on and we met some of the same folks we'de seen on Thanksgiving. Nice hotel tucked in the jungle, great pool, excellent bar. They also have a Paris trained chef and we had a very nice dinner.<br><br>Day 11 <br><br>At the airport by 7:00AM for the 8:00AM flight and we had time to spare. I just wish they had coffee available at that hour. Flights home were all on time and thankfully, no snow in Denver.<br><br>As I said, this was our most enjoyable trip ever. We were treated very well at every location, had everything we needed or knew where to get it. We met some real characters and hopefully made some friends. The weather was good with little rain and the winds were good most days.<br><br>Best wishes to those of you heading down.<br><br>Dudley<br><br><br>