Saturday, March 24...We had three couples traveling from Indiana, Tom and Linda, Marc and Jean, and Byron and Eloise. We were meeting up in Road Town with Bill and Reita who were flying in from Florida. We had an early flight out of South Bend, Indiana to O’Hare in Chicago. When we arrived in Chicago we were offered $500. to give up our tickets since the flight was overbooked. We almost decided to delay our flight when they got up to $1000 a ticket. Being spring break and the fact we would have been diverted to Newark, where they were having a storm, we thought we might really mess up our vacation if we did that. As it was we were over 90 minutes late getting into Beef Island. <br><br>TMM was there to pick us up and drop us at out hotel. We stayed the night before the charter at Sea View. We chose Sea View because it was close to TMM and very inexpensive. Our room was $66. If you wanted air conditioning it was $76. It was very, very basic, but it was clean. If I was spending any more time before the charter other than sleeping we would probably have chosen something a little nicer. It did work out just fine for us.<br><br>We took a taxi ($3 per person) to C&F for supper. Had a great meal. After supper w had our taxi drop us at Pusser’s and we had the first Painkiller to start our Pusser Triangle. <br><br>Sunday, March 25...Up early and got our luggage down to the drive so the van from TMM could take us to the boat. It was really within walking distance, only about a 10 minute walk, but would seem like 10 miles carrying all our bags. We had 8 people, 3 of them were certified sailors, so while they went through the checkout we walked across the street to Rite-Way to do our provisioning. Two of the couples had already done their provisioning with Ample Hamper over the Internet. We had all our provisions bought and on the boat long before AH showed up with the rest of the provisions. There were a couple of mistakes in the order. I was glad we waited and did our own shopping. The 38’ catamaran we chartered was called Angelina. She was a beautiful boat with lots of room. Didn’t take us long to store everything. There were alot of boats coming and going, and it took awhile before we were finally able to pull out of the harbor. <br><br>We sailed over to the Indians and several snorkeled. We sailed on over to Norman Island and anchored in Benure’s Bay. Several of us thought we would take the dingy over to the Willy-T. It turned out to be quite a long trip. There wasn’t much going on and their menu was very limited. We had drinks and then headed back to the Angelina where we made sandwiches. We shared the bay with about 7 other boats. It was very peaceful sitting on deck watching the lights of Road Town in the distance. Our entire week was almost moonless, and the stars were unbelievable.<br><br>Monday, March 26...The sailors in our group were really anxious to do some real sailing. After breakfast we headed out. After several hours of sailing we pulled into White Bay on Peter Island to rest and get some lunch. Later we headed out toward Cooper Island and anchored in Manchioneel bay. We went ashore and checked out the gift shop at the dive shop and made reservations at the Cooper Island Beach Club for supper. Had another peaceful night. <br><br>Tuesday, March 27...We had one diver in the group who wanted to dive the Rhone. After several calls the day before to dive shops we were told no one was going out to the Rhone on Tuesday. We headed on over there so our diver, Marc could go ahead and dive. When we got there he was able to hook up with a dive boat and so along with their group of divers. This was one of the dive shops that told us they weren’t going to the Rhone. Several of us snorkeled above him as he had one of the most spectacular wreak dives he has ever had. Sailed on over to Virgin Gorda. We had heard about the crowds at the Baths so we anchored at Fallen Jerusalem and snorkeled. We had a two man kayak with us so we paddled around the rocks and walked along shore for awhile. This was probably not as showy as the Baths, but it was very impressive, and with the exception on a monohull from Germany, we were the only ones there. We finished up snorkeling and motored on past the Baths and then sailed over to Leverick Bay. We refilled our water tanks and bought more ice, dumped a couple of bags of garbage. The men used the phone booth shower on the dock while the girls hiked up the hill to use their showers. We picked up some more provisions at Buck’s Market. We paid for our mooring, which was the first time we were able to moor the entire trip. Spent too many long days sailing and always missed the mooring balls.<br><br>That night we went into the Lighthouse for supper. Since they took over the old Pusser’s we were worried about getting the second leg of our triangle. There is still a Pusser’s Store there and the clerk there stamped out certificates since we couldn’t order Painkillers. We had a great meal there. Some meals better than others. Service was a little slow, but then again we were on island time. <br><br>It seems like every night gets better than the last on the boat. I think I could get used to sleeping on a boat. We had nice breezes every night and only a couple of short rain storms during the week.<br><br><br>Wednesday, March 28...We had one fisherman on the boat, Bill. They wanted to take him out to deeper water and let him fish awhile. Since this might also be rougher sailing the 4 girls in the group decided to spend the day at Bitter End. They guys dropped us and the dingy off and headed on out. Agreeing to pick us up in about 4 hours. We spent as much time as we could shopping the two shops there. We had drinks and sat in front of the Emporium Bakery-Deli and people watched and visited until time to go have lunch. We had lunch at Bitter End. It was a buffet, and very overpriced. I think lunch with no drinks at $100 is a little too much. It did help us pass time till the guys got the fishing out of their system. We went back to the Emporium and bought ice cream bars for the guys. The clerk was nice enough to let us leave it in their freezer till our boat got back. We used walky talkies, the ones that have a 2 mile radius. They were great and soon we heard our guys calling us. Heard them before we even saw them enter the harbor. These things are a must for a trip like this. After getting back on board and letting the guys eat their ice cream we headed out for Marina Cay. It was a long sail and again we got there long after all the mooring balls were taken so we had to anchor again. After cleaning up we headed into Pusser’s for supper. It was a long wait to get a table. But gave us time to get the final leg for our Pusser Triangle.<br><br>Thursday, March 29...The week is going by so fast, and we have to really to get a move on it if we want to see everything on our list. We have heard the snorkeling at Monkey Point on Guana Island is good, so we decide to make a quick stop to check it out. We were amazed at how good it was. Marc and Tom have been wanting to do a night snorkel and this is definitely the best snorkeling we have seen so far. We decide to spend the night. Only problem is that we have been doing our evening meal on shore each night and there is no where here for that. We spend the entire day snorkeling and kayaking around the bay. We took the dingy around the point and found a nice little beach for shelling. Got some great pictures through the rocks of the Angelina. We did a inventory of the food aboard and put together a pretty good smorgasbord. After a fantastic sunset and when it got dark Tom and Marc got ready for their night snorkel. We had glow sticks we put on the back of their suits and with their flash lights we were able to watch their progress all over the bay. When they got back to the boat they had picked up a visitor. When they were snorkeling by the rocks there were little worm like animals that were biting or stinging them. Tom was able to catch one. It looked like a centipede, about 3” in length. We put him in a baggie where he stayed until the next afternoon. <br><br>Friday, March 30...We wanted to make Foxy’s and Cane Garden Bay today, but we were starting to run low on water. We went to Soper’s Hole to fill up on water and get rid of our garbage. Also picked up more supplies, mainly bread and pop.<br><br>Headed over to Jost Van Dyke to Great Harbor. We went to Foxy’s for lunch. Were disappointed that we didn’t see Foxy himself. We spent a little time and a lot of money in his gift shop. We also put up a license plate that we brought from home. So for any of you visiting Foxy’s look for my plate. It is an Indiana vanity plate, ATKINS. <br><br>Back on the boat we sailed on over to Cane Garden Bay. It rained, the first time during the day, and we had a great rainbow. We loaded up and went to shore to find somewhere to eat supper. We ended up at Quito’s. The meal was all right, nothing really special. Don’t order the Monster Bread. Thought by the name it would be for the entire table. Barely enough for 2 people. We were just finishing up dinner when Quito arrived. He signed my CD that I bought in his shop, and we stayed and listed for awhile. Back at the boat we were still able to listen to him. <br><br>Saturday, March 31...Tom and I decided to go in for breakfast. Ate at Big Banana Paradise Club. We walked the beach for awhile before we headed back to the Angelina. The rest of the crew thought they would play a joke on us and moved the boat. Even tried to disguise it by draping towels over the name, and hiding the kayak, but wasn’t too hard to pick it out of the crowd of boats there.<br><br>We had originally planned on spending the last night of our charter in Soper’s Hole, but after stopping for water the day before we knew we didn’t want to be in that crowded harbor. We did go back over there so we could do some shopping. They had a nice assortment of shops. <br><br>At the beginning of the trip we all put money in a boat kitty to pay for ice, moorings, trash, etc. Since we only moored once we had most of the money left. We decided to hit Ample Hamper and splurge on filets and lobsters. Even bought some fresh shrimp for kabobs. After we got our fill of the shops and the food bought we sailed over to Peter Island. We anchored in Great Bay. Had a couple of hours to enjoy before we started dinner. The kayak had its last trip around the bay and it was the last chance for any snorkeling. Bill even caught a nice little grouper. Too bad you can’t eat the fish in that area. We pulled out the grill for the first time on the trip, only to find that the bolt that secures it to the boat rail was missing. Thank goodness for plastic ties. With a little support from the boat’s flag we were able to jury rig it well enough to cook the lobster, shrimp and steaks. It was the best meal of the week. After supper we all sat around on the front of the cat and enjoy the lights of Road Town while we had ice cream bars. It was the perfect ending to the perfect week.<br><br>Sunday, April 1...We were up early and started to pack up to head back to TMM. Got back to the marina by 9 and had lots of time to unload the boat and shower before the taxi arrived. The checkout went very well and we were soon on our way to the airport. We knew the vacation was over when we hit the lines and the delays at the airport. It was a long trip back to Indiana after our flight to San Juan was so late we missed our flight to Chicago. They flew us to Miami where we spent the night and then on home the next day. <br><br>I want to thank everyone at Traveltalkonline for all the help and information. It was most helpful on our charter. This is only our first trip to BVI. We are already talking about when we can go again<br><br><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Carol_Hill on 4/23/01 03:48 PM.</EM></FONT></P>