Sailing Vacations – Virgin Gorda

August 6, 2011

The diving/sailing vacation for the Bayou boys continues as they plan for  a great sail to Virgin Gorda – fun, food, exploring. 

Our floating hotel has indeed become home to us.  The aroma of coffee gently nudges us awake.  That first cup sitting on the deck, looking at the blue ocean meeting the blue sky .  Gentle waves bounce off the hull, the  soft music of the wind, all is quiet  with the exception of a  splash as the sea gulls fish for their breakfast.  I feel so removed from the hectic world of school, finals, job interviews, phones, computers.  We are not connected but yet are connected to nature.   This sailing/diving vacation has intensified the bond that Jimmy, Andre and I have shared throughout our youth.  These memories will last forever.

Today we sail to Virgin Gorda.   Captain Terry is getting the boat ready for our journey.   Checking all of the lines, the engine and the instruments.   I take the helm while Jason releases the mooring ball.  Andre is pulling up the mainsail and then we release the ginny.  Winds are in our favor and we are moving out at 8 plus knots!!!  No engine, just the full sails as we cut through the 3-4 foot waves..  Some rollers from  a storm in the North Atlantic have moved in and  a spray of ocean water wakes us up.   Yipee!!!  We are pirates of old fighting the master ocean.

Our destination is Leverick Bay,  a full service resort  and home of the famous  beach big roast and the Mucko Jumbies.   As we enter the anchorage, Andre hooks the mooring ball and we are set.  A short dingy ride to the beach,  a cool beverage at the tiki bar and then a picturesque cab ride to the world famous Baths.   The Baths  consist of huge boulders that are stacked like building blocks creating a cave .  Sunlight shines through the openings and we wade through large pools of water.  The Baths are phenomenal and we have our camera in action.   The legend is that these gigantic boulders are the result of a meteor shower, probably when the dinosaurs were hanging out.

This evening we are going to party,  first we pull up to the tiki bar at Leverick Bay and  meet some of the local salts as well as boaters from all over the world.  Some are live aboards that just sail the islands,  having sold all of their worldly possessions and just enjoying the vagabond life.    We introduce ourselves to a group of ladies that are on a “girls trip” and now the party is getting geared up.

The music starts up and Michael The Pirate is starting his entertainment.  Michael Beams lives on a wicked looking sail boat and sings rowdy pirate songs.   He sings and tells tales of the pirates that sailed Drake Channel long ago.

Dusk is approaching, the smell of barbeque is wafting down.  Huge table are set up loaded with a huge array of food  including a roasted pig.   Great food, the band is playing, drinks are flowing and everyone is ready to dance and to party.

Expectation is in the air and as I look up I see a very tall person in bright colors coming around the pool.  A drum roll, It is the Mucko Jumbies.    Natives dresses in colorful costumes on huge stilts come down and dance with the guests.  A conga line is formed   and we dance between the stilts.  Jimmy looks over at me and asks:  Is it Mardi Gras?   We dance until the wee hours with our new best friends from the “girls trip” and then reluctantly bid good night and dingy back to our boat.

Captain Terry has schedule a rendezvous dive to the Dogs for tomorrow.   I can hardly go to sleep thinking of the all of the things that we will see tomorrow.

Check out:www sailwithterry.com for [pictures of the Mucko Jumbies and the Baths.  Captain Terry will help you plan your perfect vacation.   Diving, Sailing, Girls Trip, Honeymoon, Family reunions.   Email: sailwithterry@gmail.com   or  941 266 0296

 

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Sailing Vacations – Diving, Sailing Vacation

July 31, 2011

Sailing Vacations – Diving, Sailing Vacation 

The Cajun boys, Jason, Jimmy and Andre continue their diving vacation on a 46’ live aboard enjoying the top diving sites in the British Virgin Islands. 

 

Morning sun breaks over the distant mountain range and sprays its brilliant rays on the peaceful turquoise water of the Caribbean.   Pelicans are diving for their breakfast as we see the swirls of baitfish.  The aroma of coffee beckons and I am enjoying watching the morning unfold.  Soon André sleepily comes up on deck, sees the baitfish and the next moment he has put on fins and mask and is checking out all of the underwater activity.    Soon Andre resurfaces with a big smile,  he has just seen a group of sting ray, a large turtle, a school of blue tang.

After breakfast a dive boat from UBS divers approaches and Katie, our dive master greets us with a smile and helps us on the boat.  Captain Terry is going to join us so I know we will have an extra show.

Destination:  Painted Walls is a series of Technicolor box canyons located at the end tip of Dead Chest Island.  Swimming out to the sea, the visibility is over 100’.  Angel fish, queen triggerfish and chub all surround us.  Katie guides us to the first canon and then on to the main canon, soon we enter the sponge encrusted tunnel where the name is derived.  The walls are encrusted with brilliant colored sponges:  purple, orange, red, pinks, fluorescent yellow and oranges.  The beauty is breathtaking and photos cannot do it justice.  This is an image to be relived in our memory bank for years to come.

Soon our guide leads us to the mooring that is holding the dive boat and Captain Tony welcomes everyone aboard.  We share the excitement of all of the beautiful fish and coral that we have seen.  Captain Terry takes out his Tropical Fish Book and we excitingly identify the fish that we have seen. What a wonderful experience to share with my friends.

A nice leisure lunch and rest and we proceed to our next  dive spot.  Blonde Rock.  Blonde Rock is a natural magnet attracting all kinds of marine life: turtles, schools  of Jack, Cobia, barracuda and even an occasional shark. Twin fire coral encrusted peaks (the name blonde) rise from a plateau at 35-40 feet. There are several ledges sporting numerous schools of fish and  we proceed to the  amphitheater. Here we find glasseye snapper, graysby and large carbas. Captain Terry shines his light and we see a brilliant array of sponge , algae and coral.

We return to our sailboat, good byes to Katie, our pretty dive guide.  We sit on the deck of the boat,  enjoying an ice-cold local beer and  relive the amazing dive sites that we have visited in one day.   I am overwhelmed by the clarity of the water and the abundance of the marine life and brilliant colors.

We dingy ashore for a great dinner, good wine and meeting more fellow sailors.  Tomorrow we will sail to Cooper Island and explore another dive site.

As Jimmy, André and I sit under the endless starlight sky, we agree that this sailing vacation is a dream come true and will be a memory that we will hold dearly for the rest of our lives.  The camaraderie, the beautiful scenery and balmy weather, the  amazing dive sites and of course the security that Captain Terry  is showing us the best islands in the BVI and making sure that we do not get into trouble.  Life is good.

Captain Terry offers custom sailing trips.  Visit  sailwithterry.com and check out the great pictures and video. Contact Captain Terry at sailwithterry@gmail  or phone 941 266 0296 and plan your dream vacation.

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Sailing Vacation – Diving in the Caribbean

July 19, 2011

A combination sailing vacation and diving vacation is the ultimate vacation for enjoying two adventurous water vacations.  Follow Jason and his friends as they explore the chain of dive sites in BVI. 

A chartered sailboat and the expertise of Captain Terry promise a fun filled and exciting vacation for me and two buddies, Jimmy and Andre.  We recently graduated from LSU  and this is our reward before we hit the real world of jobs and responsibilities.

As Cajuns we have a love and respect for the water, and as Cajuns we are always looking for the next adventure.  I think Captain Terry will have fun with the Bayou Boys.

Our floating hotel is a 50’ monohull with four berths, a spacious galley and salon.  On our first day out Captain Terry teaches us the fundamentals of sailing,  putting down an anchor and hooking a mooring ball.  The winds are blowing, we hoist the sails and “Oh Baby”, the  rail is in the water!  Of course we are assured that we will not tip over because our keel weighs 6,000 lbs.   The mainsail and ginny are both full and it feel as if we are flying.  No engine sound, just the wind in our face and the sound of the water against the hull as we cut through the waves.  Mon Chere, this is nice!

Today we are going to a have a dive boat pick us up from our anchorage at Peter Island and dive Truck Reef  and  Shark Point. In the 1950’s,  in anticipation of a visit from Queen Elizabeth, there was “Clean for the Queen” campaign.  The locals rounded up all of the old abandoned cars, loaded them on a barge and dumped them at the mouth of Great Harbour.  This is a deep dive and intriguing  for the steep drop off harboring massive black coral trees and several huge anchors.  Large Tub sponges line the top of the wall.

Our next stop is Shark Point.  The visibility is amazing due to the sites location in the open ocean.  Follow the ridge and use this as a vantage point to view the schools of black durgon, horse-eyed jacks, and an occasional barracuda.  We continue along a tunnel  and come to a canyon  and there are  queen angelfish, whitespotted tile fish, groupers and butterfly fish.  Swimming deeper along the ridge  we run into a large jew fish and some nurse sharks. There is a maze of alleyways and caves  that makes for exciting exploring.

Our  dive boat returns us to our sailboat and we are all talking at once sharing the sights that we have discovered.  Beautiful coral, so many fish we can’t count them and of course we all laugh at Andre as he met his first shark.   We did not know the boy could swim that fast!

A ice cold beer, a shower off the back of the boat and we are ready to check out happy hour on Peter Island.

Tomorrow we will explore Painted Wall and Blonde Rock.

Captain Terry will customize your sailing charter according to your interests and wishes.

Check out the underwater pictures at sailwithwithterry.com and  contact him for schedules and pricing at sailwithterry@gmail.com or 941 266 0296

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Sailing Vacations – Caribbean Diving Vacations

July 14, 2011

Who says that you cannot have it all?    If your passion is the beautiful aqua waters of the British Virgin Islands, then a week chartering a sailboat and going diving is the ultimate vacation.

The British Virgin Islands are considered one of the hottest dive sites in the world.  There are over 70 established dive sites and numerous secret sites known only to the local divers and charter captains. Lush coral gardens, sloping reefs, sheer walls, wrecks, tunnels, ledges, and of course a gigantic array of sea life.

Charter a sail boat in Tortola and easily access your first nights anchorage, Norman Island.    A great dive spot on the way to Norman Island is Pelican Island.   This is a good starting point to get acclimated to the warm Caribbean water.  Pelican Island is an uninhabited island and is the site of Rainbow Canyon (25-60) feet deep. You will find large coral heads that are home to schools of parrot fish.  Dive down into one of the canyons and see spotted drums, sharpnose puffers, crinods and flame scallops.  Continuing along the reefs edge you will spot schools of creole wrasse and Spanish hogfish.   Often the waters are teeming with  thousands of bait fish which provide dinner for larger tarpons.

Another notable stop on your way to Norman Island is the Indians, one of the most popular dive sites in the BVI. Four jagged rocks protrude 50 feet above the ocean.    The top of the jagged rocks look somewhat like an Indian headdress, hence the name.  This dive takes about 50  minutes and as you swim along the  base of the cliffs you will see creole wrasses and bar jacks.  Rounding the southern point you will encounter a lot of fish including schoolmaster snapper, parrotfish and trunkfish.  Continuing along you will swim over brain and elk  coral and  enter the “fish bowl”.  A shallow area filled with  baitfish  that attract  many fish including jacks, snappers and also pelicans ding  bombing from above for their lunch.

Next you will come to an area where the bottom of the ocean rises and you will be amazed at all of the colorful damselfish and blue tang.  This is a great time to pull out the underwater camera and take pictures that will look as if you are swimming in an aquarium.   There is also a small cave for you to enter that is home to a school of glassy sweepers.

A swim back to your sailboat, a short ride to Norman Island anchorage and you are set for the night on your floating hotel.  No crowds, not long lines, just a nice evening on the deck of your charted sail boat.  Tomorrow we will visit more exciting dive locations.

Captain Terry offers sailing vacations with a private dive master or rendezvous dive boats at various locations.  Captain Terry is an experienced captain and diver and knows all of the famous dive locations and also some very secrets spots.

Check out sailiwthterry.com for great pictures of the Pelicans and Indians.

Email sailwithterry@gmail or phone 941 266 0296 for your customized sailing – diving vacation in the Caribbean.

 

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Sailing Vacations – All Good Things Must Come To End

July 8, 2011

The Adams Family sailing vacation is sadly coming to an end.  We have spent seven days exploring the British Virgin Islands. Sailing, diving, snorkeling, beach parties, spas, hiking…  So many things to do so little time. 

Our last day of sailing with Captain Terry on a 44’ Catamaran “Sea Breeze”, our home for the last seven days.  Everyone slowly  moves up to the deck  to enjoy the morning solitude.   Mast’s rocking in the anchorage, sea gulls fishing for breakfast.   The day is coming to life over a  serene  turquoise blue ocean. There is a quiet sadness as we know that we will be leaving this peaceful environment and return to our daily lives.

Captain Terry suggests that we enjoy our freshly baked Cinnabun rolls and then baton down the hatches.  The winds are coming out of the east and we will have an exciting sail to Sophers Hole, our finale destination in the BVI.

We all work as a team, each taking on a chore as if we have been sailing all of our lives.  John uses the windlass to pull up the anchor while I am at the wheel easing the boat forward so as not to strain the rode.  Sarah and Melody are preparing to raise the main sail.  Main sail up, and Emily is releasing the ginny.  Captain Terry  adjusts the sails and we are flying!   No engine noise, just the sound of the waves and the wind in our faces. What a great way to finish our last day on the water. The Adams family is single handily sailing this large cat at a speed of 8 knots, but if feels like 100 miles an hour.

In the evening we enter Sophers Hole which is the western end of Tortola. This Is a large bustling marina surrounded by  colorful Caribbean hillside homes.   Shops, restaurants, a full service marina, showers and spas  line the board walk.  After grabbing our mooring ball we dingy  to shore.    The children decide to shop for last minute souvenirs while Sarah and I enjoy  a cool rum punch at the famous Pussers Bar.

Later on the boat we pack our soft luggage bags and go ashore for dinner at the Jolly Roger.  Another el fresco restaurant frequented by the locals, offering great food, good company and live music.

One last evening on the deck of Sea Breeze  with Captain Terry  and we enthusiastically reminisce about our weeks’ adventure.  We have documented every moment on photos and are eager to post on face book and share with our friends.

We cannot thank Captain Terry enough for his patience, skill and knowledge of these islands and we feel that we have made a new lifetime friendship. We realize that choosing the right captain made all the difference in the success of our family vacation.  As a family we have bonded and created memories beyond our expectations.  John is asking Captain Terry where will we be sailing next year?  Perhaps to St. Martin or further down island.

An early morning ferry boat ride will bring us to St. Thomas.  A day shopping in the duty free shops, a night at   quaint mountainside hotel and then off to the airport.

Captain Terry offers sailing vacations  to various destinations in the Caribbean  as well as different styles and sizes of boats. Vacations are customized to your wishes and your budget.  Check out sailwithterry.com and view the amazing pictures and videos of previous satisfied customers. 

Contact Captain terry at sailwithterry@gmail.com     941-222-0295

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Sailing Vacations – Exploring Jost Van Dyke

July 5, 2011

The Sailing Vacation of the Adams family continue as their 44’ catamaran, “Sea Breeze” enters Great Harbor under the experienced guidance of Captain Terry.

Jost Van Dyke is a large, mountainous island that lies to the north of Tortola, named after a famous pirate.  Great Harbor is the main settlement and also an immigration port for entry to the BVI.

We decide to have lunch and explore this quaint settlement.  Quaint is an understatement.  Time has stood still and you get the feeling that nothing has changed in the last hundred years.   A small dirt path leads to the local grocery hut which has a small inventory, (I guess the supply boat has not been here this week) further down the trail we see small wooden houses with front porches.  Smiling faces greet us, several offer bakery items or ice for sale.

Lunch is at the famous “Foxy’s Bar”. We sit under a huge thatched roof and enjoy drinks from an open air bar served by a bar tender with a great sense of humor and lots of stories to tell. Memorabilia new, old and ancient is tacked on the ceiling.  A bra, a Florida State hat, a license plate from Alaska, lacy panties, and hundreds of business cards.  Juicy hamburgers, a bushwhacker and we are ready for a nap in the hammock that swings under the canopy of trees.

Our next stop on Jost Van Dyke is White Bay with is the westernmost harbor on the south side of the island.   A beautiful snowy white beach greets us as Captain Terry gingerly guides us through the narrow channel.  The beach is dotted with beach bars, each more primitive and bohemian than next.   This is the home of the world famous “Soggy Dollar Bar” and of course no sailing adventure is complete without a earned  Soggy Dollar Bar T shirt”.  To be eligible we have to jump over into the clear aqua Caribbean water and swim ashore.  Melody is the winner and we all arrive with smiles on our faces and wet dollar bills in our bathing suit pockets.

The Soggy Dollar Bar is surrounded by large lofty palm trees  that give shade to the numerous lounge chairs and tables.  The bar is filled with  music,  laughter and people from all over the world.  The large cruise ships ferry their guests over for the day to experience ”island life”. Shooters for all, dancing in the sand,  and “where are you from” is heard all around.

Sarah, John  and I decide this is a good time for some beach time.  We stroll the length of the beach and admire the sugary white sand and the clear water, spotting fish here and there.   A couple of lounge chairs and we sit back and enjoy the beauty  of the Caribbean.   A Sailing Vacations are not ALL about sailing

John has found a friend and they are off to try and learn the art of paddle boarding.  This sport is all the rage in the islands and John quickly maneuvers the board  into the waves while standing up and using a paddle to guide and propel the boat.

Blue skies, white beaches, warm gentle breezes and we watch our boat bobbing in the anchorage.  It is nice to know that a short dingy ride back to our floating hotel and a night under the stars awaits us. We wonder what adventure Captain Terry has in store for us tomorrow.

Schedule your Sailing Vacation and make your dreams become a reality. Captain Terry offers custom plans with vessels of various sizes and styles. SailwithTerry.com

 

Captain Terry:  sailwithterry@gmail.com 941 266 0296

 

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Caribbean Sailing Vacation – Fireballs, Dancing, Full Moon

June 22 2011

Caribbean Sailing Vacation – Fireballs, Dancing, Full Moon

The Adams family is safely moored abroad their 44’ catamaran, “Sea Breeze” at a large anchorage, Trellis Bay, BVI. It is a clear, balmy evening and the party is getting ready to start.  The Adams family is preparing to experience their first Full Moon Party in The British Virgin Islands.

Hundreds of sailboats rocking in the bay, the sun is setting on the horizon.  Music, laughter, greetings float throughout the anchorage.  Everyone is enjoying a sunset happy hour and preparing to board their dinghies for a fun evening of food, fun, and music.

Emily and Melody have donned newly purchased shorts and  local T shirts.  John is ready to go ashore in search of food and so we all board our trusty dingy with Captain Terry at the throttle.   The dingy dock is overly crowded as we squeeze in for a slot. How will we ever figure out which one is ours?

Once on shore we hear the distant sound of the steel drums and smell the aroma of a BBQ complete with local spice.  The BBQ buffet is large and loaded with chicken, pork, stewed goat, and seafood plus vegetable and of course dessert.  Large picnic tables are set up and we join a honey moon couple from Texas who are sailing with their captain on a 38’ sailboat.

The crowd thickens as evening approaches.  In the far distance we see the full moon rising.  There are two bands playing, dancing every where.  As nightfall approaches, the moon rises and casts a spotlight on the party.   The crescendo of the band rises to a high pitch; in the distance we see some colorful costumes.  Can it be?  Is it?  Yes, the Mocko Jumbies have arrived and are dancing to the Caribbean music.  How do they manage to walk on those thin sticks in all of this sand? They must be 10 – 12 feet in the air.  Amazing.

Smoke fills the air and the large, artfully sculpted fireballs are lite on the beach to welcome our guest of honor; a huge, brilliant full moon.  Dancing, greetings to old and new friends, the music is going full blast.  Moon worshippers are wading into the water to pay homage to the moon.  A beautiful warm night, island music, family, friends and a few rum punches and painkillers and the world feels peaceful and surreal.

A dingy ride back to our floating hotel under the supervision of Captain Terry and we are all ready to go to our cabin and dream of a fantastic night. This Full Moon party was awesome!  Sleep comes readily as the wind picks up and gently rocks the boat.

Tomorrow we will experience yet another sailing adventure:  A resort dive and a visit to “Old Bubbly”.

View the picture gallery at sailwithterry.com.   Contact Captain Terry and reserve your date for a Full Moon Party in the BVI.  sailwithterry@gmail.com 941 266 0296 for schedules and pricing.

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Caribbean Sailing Vacation – Dancing with the Moon 

June 21 2011

The Adams family Caribbean sailing vacation adventures continue as they set sail for Trellis Bay and a night of festivities celebrating the Full Moon.

Our sailing vacation continues with all hands on deck as the mooring lines are released, sails go up and we are on our way to our next anchorage.

Captain Terry has briefed us on our next sailing adventure … Destination Trellis Bay, Beef Island. Trellis Bay is connected to the main island of Tortola by a small bridge and is located at the northeastern end of the island.

Our goal is to arrive early as this anchorage is the popular place to be for Full Moon parties. Well someone forgot to tell the wind guru and we are facing southerly winds which make it ideal if you are sailing to Jost Van Dyke but not to Trellis Bay.  Captain Terry gives us a review course on tacking and we are ready to engage.

Everyone has a position to man.  John and I take the first round with Sarah at the helm.  Position, check lines, ready to come about, releases.  Speed is the essence of a successful  “coming about” .  Basically we are bringing the foresail to the other side of the boat to catch some wind. “ Tacking” as this called is the  method a sailboat uses to get to a destination when the winds are blowing from the  direction you want to go.  Yes, you zig zag back and forth and yes it does take a while.

The Adams family has stepped up to the job and the next time that we tack, Emily and Melody are going to handle the sheets while John turns the boat away into the wind.  This is all about team work and timing and the girls are intent on beating the boys.  Great job but the boys are still ahead by 5 seconds!

The competition is fierce but the bragging rights go the boys as we approach Trellis Bay.  Sailboats of all sizes and styles are jockeying for a mooring ball.  The balls appear to be set a little closer than in previous anchorages and I am again thankful for the steady hand and experience of our Captain Terry .  The atmosphere is festive as the anticipation for the full moon party intensifies.  Dinghies are running to shore and greetings can be heard from the boats.  Music carries over the water and we sit back as sail boats stream in through the channel threading their way through the moored boats looking for an opening and a mooring ball or a place to drop an anchor.  I think this is going to be a fun night!

Lunch time and we jump into the dingy and head for Trellis Bay.  The buildings are quaint and primitive; little shops, bars, internet café, restaurants.  We find a table outside at the Better Cup of Coffee and enjoy a local beverage, ginger beer for children and icy cold Caribe for adults.  The bread is homemade and the sandwiches are delicious.

After lunch a stroll around the island, my eyes catch the sight of a huge hammock strung between two shade trees and I make a bee line for my siesta.    Sarah and the children explore the island and visit the large local art gallery.  There are beautiful works created by local artists.  Pottery, baskets, sculptors, paintings and of course the huge intricately sculpted metal balls that are being filled with wood for the full moon party.

John spots a sail board and has signed up for paddle board lessons.  Emily and Melody continue their quest for t shirts and Sarah joins me in the hammock.  A little snooze in the warm, balmy breeze, visions of a new adventure.  A full moon party!  Another hard day in the islands!

Check out sailwithterry.com and see the pictures of the Full Moon parties.  Email Captain Terry:   sailiwthterry@gmail.com and schedule your Caribbean sailing vacation for the next full moon party.   941 266 0296

 

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Caribbean Sailing Vacation – Drowned Island, Beaches, Lobsters

June 14, 2011

The  Adams family’s Caribbean sailing vacation continues as we set sail for Anegada, an island comprised of coral and limestone and only rising to 28 feet above sea level at its highest point.

Another morning dawns in the Caribbean as the sun rises over the horizon.  Pelicans are busy diving for breakfast and neighboring boats are preparing to cast off.   John and Melody are already up on deck, Emily is stirring and Sarah and I are enjoying our morning coffee.  Captain Terry is briefing us on our upcoming sail. The winds have picked up and we should enjoy a good sail to our next destination, Anegada.  We are told that the entrance to the island is like threading a needle and there have been over 300 known wrecks on Horseshoe Reef.

All hands on deck as John releases the mooring ball, Melody and Emily are hoisting the mainsail and Sarah is at the helm.  I am amazed how my family has taken to the water and the art of sailing.   As we round the island I raise the fore sails and it feels as if we are flying.  Our destination is about 17 miles to the northeast.   Squeals of delight rise up as the rail touches the water.  We are doing 8 knots and the adrenaline is running high.  Melody, Emily and Sarah find a comfortable spot on the bow of the boat and are enjoying the cool ocean spray while working on their tans.  John has taken the helm and is instructing me to adjust the mainsail.  Is this my son who was only interested in texting and listening to his I pod?  As a matter of fact, no one has been on the phone or computer or watched TV for the entire week!   We have been talking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company.  Unbelievable!

Unlike all of the other mountainous islands in the Virgin islands,  Anegada is flat, 11 miles long and fringed with beautiful beaches on the  Atlantic side.  Anegada is renowned for its laid back lifestyle,  friendly inhabitants and of course the grilled Caribbean lobsters that are caught fresh daily.

“There it is!” cries Emily as she spots a tiny speck of land in the distance.   As the island comes into view we notice the stark flatness of the island, and spot the markers for the channel.   Captain Terry takes the helm  to guide Sea Breeze through the narrow passage way and John is ready to pull in the painter to secure the mooring ball.  Everyone is so excited to explore the island.  We gather our snorkel gear, sun block, towels and go ashore.

As we walk on the dock, cages of hugh lobster are immersed in the water.  Dinner!  Reservations are made at the dockside restaurant and we proceed to climbing aboard a convertible taxi.   (More like a van without sides or a top).  A tour through the island, we see salt ponds, colorful flamingos, and quaint old cottages in the settlement.  We thought the main islands were laid back, but Anegada takes it to another level.  This place looks like another world in another time.  No green mountains, little vegetation, just water and beaches everywhere.  Our driver drops us at Cow Wreck Beach and Bar.  We are amazed at the endless snow white beaches.  Everyone claims a beach chair, and then we proceed to walk to the water’s edge and snorkel the visible reefs.

The reefs are populated by an amazing array of tropical fish.  Emily spots a stingray and I watch as a huge school of blue tang swim by.   Lunch at the beach bar, a nap under one of the few trees and then a long walk on the beach.  This is the most peaceful place that I have ever visited.  It feels as if time has stopped.

Our friendly cab driver/tour guide is waiting for us at the bar and drives us back to the dock where Captain Terry is waiting to ferry us to Sea Breeze.

Showers on the stern of the boat, clean shorts and shirts and we are ready for “Happy Hour “on deck.  Sarah has prepared a smoked fish dip and we revisit the wonderful sights that we have seen today.

It is time to go ashore for dinner.  We are guided to our table at the edge of the water with a panoramic view of the ocean and a brilliant sunset.   Other boaters join in and stories of past island adventures are shared.  The grills are loaded with lobsters and are mouths are watering.  Dinner is served and we all are amazed at the huge size of the lobsters.  The atmosphere is festive and we eat, drink, and talk until the last bite is gone.

A short dingy ride under a canopy of stars and we are back on our boat.  We lay on the sail boat looking up at the beautiful sky and see the Milky way and  other constellations.   Wishes are made as we watch for falling stars.  Life is good. I want to capture this moment forever.

Visit sailwithterry.com to view the photo and video gallery.  Make your dream sailing vacation a reality.

 

Email sailwithterry@gmail.com or call 941 266 0296 and let Captain Terry plan your chartered Caribbean sailing vacation.

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Sailing Vacations – Meteorites, Pools, Boulders

June 10, 2011

Sailing Vacations – Meteorites, Pools, Boulders

Today’s adventure will take us throughout the island of Virgin Gorda, visiting the renown Baths and then on to Spanish Town.

sailing vacations, the baths

sailing vacations, the Baths

We have been advised that you cannot take a sailing trip to the British Virgin Islands and not visit the Baths. Located at the southwestern end of Virgin Gorda, the Baths are a huge formation of unusual granite boulders stacked on top of each other. The boulders form a cave with many shafts allowing the sun to shine in and throughout the centuries water has washed in forming numerous pools.

After a light breakfast we jump into the dingy and Captain Terry brings us to Leverick Bay to catch a cab for our land excursion. Tony greets us with his shiny taxi and we are off to see some of the most magnificent scenery. Our gracious local guide points out the different islands that we have visited and stops for several photo ops. The 360 degree view of the blue sky, green hillsides and the endless azure Caribbean ocean dotted with sail boats is a scene that we will never forget.

After a winding, picturesque ride we arrive at the Baths ahead of the cruise ship crowds. A small rock entrance, down a few steps and we are in awe! We are in the cathedral, rocks are stacked overhead about 20 feet, the sun rays come through the openings and we realize that we are viewing an unexplained wonder that has existed for many centuries. No one knows for sure how the Baths were formed but popular belief is that they were formed by a meteorite shower.

We played in the underground pool, climbed boulders for pictures and were happy that we took Captain Terry’s advice to come early before the crowds. The Baths are definitely a visit not to miss.

As we exited from the rocks a beautify white beach lay in front of us and we enjoyed playing in the surf until it was time to meet Tony, our driver.

Spanish Town was the next stop, a little lunch at the marina waterfront and a stroll through the shops. Spanish Town was once the capital of the BVI and still does a bustling business. It has a custom clearing house so there is always someone coming in from oceans away.

Captain Terry met us at the dock and ferried us back to Sea Breeze . Of course we all wanted to talk at the same time and tell the Captain about the awesome Baths. (I wonder how many times he has heard theses enthusiast stories?)

The days seem to be racing by, each day a new island to explore and a different anchorage. Tonight we have decided to stay at Long Bay. We enter the quiet cove and this time we will anchorage for the night. John and I are assigned these duties. We learn to loosen the anchor, prepare the electric controls and when the Captain says go! We do not hesitate. The big metal chain automatically unreels and we let out about 80 feet of chain. Captain Terry instructs us that we are holding so we snub down the chain and we are set for the night.

This is a beautify anchorage with only two other boats anchored at a distance. Emily and Melody are already jumping over the side to explore the huge coral reefs while John, Sarah and I go in the dingy with Captain Terry for a snorkel in the caves and tunnels. Awesome marine life, John saw a Stingray and we all observed numerous schools of angel fish, parrot fish and couple of barracuda, …all amidst brilliant sponges, purple fans and much, much more

Back on our floating hotel, we sip cocktails as the brilliant orange sun sets in the distant horizon over the turquoise ocean. We reminisced about all of the neat things that we saw during the day. Our only regret was that the days were slipping by too fast. (Was I worried about getting bored on a sailboat?)

Captain Terry lights the grill and we all pitched in and prepared the best meal ever. Pork tenderloins, yellow rice, black beans and a huge salad with John’s special dressing. A nice quiet evening, watching for shooting stars and soon one by one everyone retired to their cabins to dream about tomorrows adventure – Anegada – the Drowned Island – Grilled Lobsters – Snowy White Beaches.

Check out the pictures of these beautiful locations at sailwithterry.com. Captain Terry will customize your dream Caribbean Sailing Vacation with YOUR interests in mind. sailthithterry@gmail.com 941- 266-0296

 

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