May 20, 2011 Adams Family
Sailing Vacations – Pirates, Pigs, Baths
Great winds, full sails and the Adams Family is enjoying an awesome sailing adventure as we head for the “Fat Virgin”.
Virgin Gorda was dubbed the “Fat Virgin” by Christopher Columbus because of its resemblance to a woman lying on her back! (Perhaps Chris had too many rum punches). Virgin Gorda is the second largest island in the BVI chain. The main settlement is Spanish Town which was the capital of the BVI and populated largely by Spaniards who came to mine the copper ore. Tourism is now the mainstay of Virgin Gorda.
Sarah, Emily and Melody dingy to shore to explore the shops and enjoy a massage at the local spa. I am going to join John and snorkel along the shoreline in search of turtles and starfish.
Happy hour approaches and we have dressed for dinner. A shower off the back of the boat, clean shorts and we ride over to meet the singing pirate, Michael Beans. Tables are set on the beach and laughter and music greet our arrival. Michael Beans lives on a pirate sail boat and has been singing his pirates songs for many years. We all join in singing “Yo Ho, Watch Em Go To Sophers Hole”, learn the pirates alphabet and try our hand at the conch blowing contest. John blows the longest and wins a case of beer for the boat. Too bad that he is underage but it gives him bragging rights to his friends for winning a case of beer at the age of 12.
Our mouths begin to water as we smell whiffs of barbeque. A huge buffet is set up adjacent to the pool complete with a large roasted pig. The food is abundant and varied and there are several trips back to the buffet line as we sample the succulent pork, jerk chicken, local fish, and of course the dessert bar.
The island music is gearing up and the dance floor is filling. This is a great outing for a everyone. Children , parents, grandparents and couples. Dancing
under the moonlight, palms trees swaying in the warm island breeze. Anticipation travels through the crowd and we look up to see the first of the Mucko Jumbies enter the dance area. Mucko Jumbies are local entertainers on huge stilts. They are dressed in colorful costumes and are renowned throughout the islands. The tempo picks up and “Oh my, a Jumbi has just taken Emily by the hand is dancing with her!”. Cameras lights pop as the audience joins the Congo line though the long legs of the Mucko Jumbies. It is a festive time and everyone is joining in the dancing and celebration. We all go pool side to watch the Jumbies finale, a jump into the pool. You don’t see this kind of entertainment in Wisconsin!
The party winds down, we pile into the dingy and Captain Terry steers us to our floating hotel. We are happy and tired and cannot wait to board Sea Breeze and fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the waves.
As Sarah and I sit on the deck of the boat and reminisce about the day’s events. We smile at the way our family has come together. No TV, no I pod and no computer. Just having fun, enjoying the company of each other, working as a team!! We look up at the canopy of stars and mummer a silent “Thank You”.
Tomorrow we will explore the renowned Baths. Another day in the islands, another adventure.
Visit www. sailwithterry .com and enjoy the extensive picture gallery of the beautiful islands. Captain Terry can help make your Caribbean Sailing Vacation a reality. sailwithterry@gmail or 941 266 0296 for questions and reservations.
