August 23, 2011
Hawksbill turtle
The anchorage at Anegada slowly awakens. Sailboats gently rocking in the crystal clear turquoise water, clinking music of the halyards bouncing off the masts, rhythmic sound of waves hitting the bow of the boat. The Bayou Boys: Jason, Jimmy and Andre are gearing up for another day in paradise.
I smell bacon and blueberry pancakes. Jimmy is busy in the galley. The coffee is ready so we gather on the deck for our el fresco breakfast. Today we will dive Horse Shoe Reef and see if we can find some of the lost treasure from the 300 plus shipwrecks. The sun is shining, the sky is blue so the visibility should be perfect.
As we clear the breakfast dishes I look over the side and wow! There are two hawksbill turtles just hanging around our boat. We jump off the boat, but they are fast swimmers and we are left behind. Oh well, maybe on our dive we might meet again.
Horse Shoe Reef is actually a protected area and diving is at a minimum in this area. Our dive boat is a dive/fishing boat and our fishing guide/dive master is careful not to disturb the coral. Coral in the Horse Shoe consist primarily of Elk horn coral and boulder coral. The winter waves pound this reef and only the hardiest of coral is visible. As we swim along the reef, we see the grave yard of boats that have wrecked over the years. There are only parts and pieces of wrecks but each has a story and we eagerly swim around searching for the treasures that were lost many years ago.
After a long swim on part of Horse Shoe Reef, we board our boat and move over to the flats off the south shore. This is a famous area for bone fishing and the bayou boys are ready to reel in the big ones. Our guide sets are gear and we are ready to engage. Before long Andre is shouting, then Jimmy and finally I get one on the line. Yes this is a fun sport, a little different than fishing in the bayou.
Evening approaches, we are back on our floating hotel, time to clean up for dinner. A shower on the rear deck of the boat, clean shorts and shirts, an ice cold beer and we jump in the dingy for a meal to remember.
Dinner in paradise
Dinner is on the beach. Huge barrel grills are smoking and loaded with Anegada lobsters. The lobsters are kept in cages along the dock and boy are they huge! Captain Terry has reserved a table at Potters on the Beach. Dinner guests from the sailboats are arriving and greetings and laughter abound. “Which boat are you on?” “ Where are you from?” Everyone is in a festive mood. Jimmy notices a table with several young ladies and soon we are enjoying drinks and great conversations. Captain Terry is holding down the table and soon beckons us as our dinner is served. Huge lobsters hanging beyond the plates. These are Caribbean lobsters and man, they come big!! Of course we dig in and wash it all down with some painkillers. The music is intensifying and I feel a dance coming on.
Diving, fishing, lobsters and dancing under the stars on the beach with a beautiful lady form Texas. Am I in heaven? Mama, send money, we are not coming home!
Caribbean Charters are offered by Captain Terry to numerous islands and on various size boats: sail and motorized. You can customize your sailing vacations with Captain Terry ranging from ultimate deluxe to hands on participation. Check out sailwithterry for more information and great pictures. Email:sailwithterry.com or phone 941-266-0296
