Ok, we finally put together our trip report.
Saildoggie, LauraandRex, Teacherdunn: you left a few things out...Especially on board the boat. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />.But that's ok, what happens in the BVI stays in the BVI.
Trip Report
6/26 TuesdayEverything went great until we arrived in Charlotte. Our plane arriving from Boston was delayed 1 ½ hours due to crew rest. That put us in a tiny tail spin. We were supposed to get into STT around 3:15pm: just enough time to have a ‘quick beer’ with Karen and Glenn (KERN) at the Petite Pump Room before catching our ferry to Tortola, then onto JVD. With the 1 ½ hr delay, our flight is supposed to get into STT around 5pm. Contacted Dohm’s Water Taxi to see if we could use them to get to JVD. Dohm’s was wonderful: they contacted Tortola Customs to see if by any chance they would close later than 6pm due to ferry delays. Unfortunately, there were no ferry delays from the USVI,. So Tina at the Sandcastle helped us with hotels. We got a room at the Holiday Inn across from Charlotte Amalie. You know our saying: “things happen for a reason.” We were able to spend the entire evening with Karen and Glenn instead of just a few minutes as planned at the Petite Pump Room.
Arrived into STT around 5pm; caught a cab to the Holiday Inn. Contacted Glenn on his cell phone as we were arriving. As we checked into the Holiday Inn; there walks in Glenn. WOW!! It’s great to see a friend from last year <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
We got into our room, dropped our bags and headed for the bar to visit with our friends.
Kisses and Hugs to Karen and Glen. It’s like we have known each other forever. They told us about the “island dog” drink that Mic created at the SDB. Ginger Beer and Limon Barcardi Rum. The Holiday Inn didn’t have any ginger beer, but it was on our list when we hit the Sandcastle. We had a great evening with them. They are such a great couple.
6/27 WednesdayGot up; checked out of the Holiday Inn; ate some breakfast and caught the FIRST ferry to Tortola. Everything went on schedule, YEAH!
On the ferry from Tortola to JVD we met some new friends, surprise, I have Tommy with me <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> . There’s a story there later.
Checked in at Sandcastle. Wow, it’s great to be here. Got hugs from Mic when we arrived and immediately ordered up my favorite: Presidente! (
Tommy was unloading the bags, what a sweetie) Got into our AC room. It’s perfect!!! Changed into our swimwear and headed for the SDB and chatted it up with Tina and Mic.
Ran into Meg and Brian from TTOL. Another neat couple and now we call them friends <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" />
Then we ran into the new friends we met on the ferry to JVD and spent the rest of the afternoon with them drinking and standing in the water.
Ended our evening eating at the Sandcastle with Meg and Brian.
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL COMPANY AND MEAL.6/28 ThursdayWe slept great and woke up late. Headed out to White Bay to just chill for the day.
Went down to One Love to have “some of the coldest beer” on White Bay; chatted with Racquel and watched Seddy’s magic tricks.
Ate lunch at Jewels’: best burgers on the beach!
Ate dinner at Ali Baba’s and had his ribs. WOW, they are fantastic!
6/29 FridaySlept great and woke up late <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Headed to White Bay and decided to chill another day.
Went over to Ivan’s and sat with Renae and Miss Melody.
Sat and chatted with the ever loving Ivan.
We headed back to our room around 3pm to take a shower and get ready to meet up with Saildoggie and LauraandRex and crew.
Headed for SDB around 4pm and low and behold there’s Saildoggie. Kisses and hugs to Mark, Lynn, and Nicole. Got to meet Shayna(Nicole’s friend), Laura, Rex, Haley, Zach, and Rex Jr.
After a few drinks <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> we headed over to Corsairs so the kids could have pizza.
Saw Joe at Corsairs. Vinny and Debbie were off island, so we didn’t get to see them.
Our meals were GREAT as always!!!
Got back to Sandcastle a bit late and went to bed.
From hear on out the days start to run together….
Sailing: there is NO modesty on a boat….
6/30 SaturdayToday is the Meet and Greet at Stanleys in CGB.
Mark comes and picks us up at White Bay in the dingy and head for Jeannius. Laura is making pancakes. Shortly thereafter we head for CGB. BYE White Bay: we’ll see you in December again <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />
Moor in CGB and we move people in shifts to the beach
Get to Stanleys and the first person we see is Manpot. Nice guy! Wow, there are a lot of people already here!!
There was a great turnout. Even our new friends we met on the ferry from Tortola to JVD came. (We had told them about the meet and greet and to come along!)
Spent the entire day, relaxing. All in our own way <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/busted.gif" alt="" /> Returned to Jeannius and got a quick shower and headed back to Quitos for dinner. Another great turn out of TTOL’ers. We were so fortunate that Quito agreed to play for us TTOL’ers that night. What a great treat!!! We love the song: ‘Caribbean Run’ that got everyone fired up.
Returned to Jeannius; another late night.
7/1 SundayTook the dingy in and ‘stocked up’ on some provisions
Teacherdunn and family joined us on our trip to Monkey Point and Marina Cay.
(Teacherdunn: wow they are a great couple and have a great family). Snorkeled at Monkey Point and headed for Marina Cay.
Marina Cay is where Teacherdunn’s wife (Karen) was given a #3 Painkiller without her knowledge.. (That was Tommy’s fault). But it was funny.
Lynn and I stayed on board and when they returned on the dingy, we felt like we had missed the party. What a goofy bunch…. Need I say anymore?
Had a great meal at Pusser’s.
Enjoyed a good nights sleep aboard Jeannius: except for John. He is the one that slept up board and I think Saildoggie scared him by coming up several times during the night to check the mooring ball. (There are a few other ‘’scary’’ things, but we won’t go there, will we Mark?)
7/2 MondayHad some bagels and cream cheese for breakfast, then headed to Leverick Bay, VG.
Had a great sail to VG.
Took a slip at VG so we could get a ‘land based’ shower, WOW, that was wonderful. No worries about hot water. It’s the little things in life, right?
Everyone headed over to the pool and jumped in. It was sooo refreshing.
Had the pleasure of meeting: IPMSMOM; GORDAPEAK.
You know: every TTOL’er we have met are such great people.
Spent the rest of the day at the pool. Tommy has become known as the Big Pool Toy. As soon as he jumped in the pool, the kids just surrounded him. We had a great day at the pool.
Returned to Jeannius, got a land-based shower, and we were graciously invited by Teacherdunn(John and Karen) to have dinner with them at Serendipity Villa. What great hosts they are. We made one big mistake: we forgot our flashflight to walk back to the boat. Thank you John for loaning us your flight light. (I have it and will send it to you)
Had another great night sleep aboard Jeannius.
7/3 TuesdayToday we leave for Cooper Island. Got some water and ice. Those are such precious commodities here in the islands.
As I was sitting on Jeannius, this nice man was talking to the fellow in the slip next to us. I happened to hear him say “doggie will be leaving later this morning”. Hmm, does he know Saildoggie? I remember Saildoggie talking so highly of NickR. So as the nice man was leaving I hollered at him, as he walked back to me I asked him “Are you NickR?” YES!!! Well, I introduced myself to him as TriciaH. We had a wonderful conversation. What a nice fellow!!!
Leave Leverick Bay and head for Cooper Island. What a nice sail!!
WE LOVE COOPER ISLAND!!
After we picked up a mooring ball and settled down, Tommy, me, and the girls snorkeled in. What a treat, there were SO MANY STAR FISH!! They were everywhere!!!
We spent the rest of the day snorkeling and drinking some ‘island dogs’, also known as ‘light and stormy’.
Got a quick shower on board and headed back to Cooper Island for our last meal in the BVI. What a wonderful time we had.
We are so grateful for Saildoggie, LauraandRex, and Teacherdunn, for allowing us to share in their vacation. We had such a great time with such great people that have great children!
7/4 WednesdayToday is our day to return home.
Leave Cooper Island and head for Tortola, TMM base. We had a nice sail over to Tortola. Got into TMM, WOW: it’s hot there. No wind….
Mark and I decided to have our last beer on board Jeannius and toasted.
Goodbyes were said.
We had a GREAT time!!
Took the taxi to Road Time at 11:30am. Found out the ferry was not running to STT,, uh oh.. Caught another taxi to West End. This ferry has multiple stops, but that’s ok. We head for St. John and clear customs, then head to Red Hook, then finally head to Charlotte Amalie. Unfortunately there is no time to have our traditional departure drink at the Petite Pump Room, so we head to the airport. No problems at the airport, the a/c is working at half the capacity.
We take of from STT to Charlotte with no problems. Unfortunately as we arrive into Charlotte we discover our flight to Raleigh has been delayed from 10 pm to midnight. Tommy decides it would be best if we just drove back to Raleigh. We rent a car and arrive at our house at 10:45pm.
US Air really let us down: we spent additional money because of delays:
Spending the unexpected night in STT
Renting a car to drive home
Oh well….
We were happy to be home to see our dog, but we truly missed not waking up on the water in the BVI.[b][color:"red"]Life is Good and Life is Too Short not to Enjoy It.[/color]
