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







