We're here!

Long day of traveling yesterday. 2 flights, 2 taxis, water ferry, and a long line at customs. But, finally arrived at about 6 pm. Captain Steve's fun meter was on empty. 6 Caribes later, it's all good. Great dinner at The Pub (stumbling distance from our boat). Jerk Chicken, Curry Shrimp, Conch Fritters, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms and more.

Kimmy seems a bit worried that Vince, is going to be drunk a lot. She should be.

We provisioned the boat this morning. Holy s@!t we have a lot of alcohol to drink. And our neighbors getting of their boat gave us their extras - oh yeah!

Left about noon and sailed to Cooper. Short sail, only about an hour. We've moored up in front of the Beach Club. Just chilling with Painkillers, swimming, and enjoying the views.

Getting Ready

Packing is just about complete.  We leave at 6 AM tomorrow.  Can't wait!

Text conversation with Susan:

Susan:  Look what Elyse got me for our trip!!! :) :) :) )))

Me:  Perfect.

Susan:  She so knows me :)  I am wearing it on the plane tomorrow

Me:  You should wear it all week.

Susan:  Maybe I will!!!  U don't know me!!!

Me:  Did you take your meds today?

The BVI

Before this trip, I didn't have a clue where the BVI were much less any of the names of the islands.

The BVI are made up of approximately 60 islands, and are located adjacent to the US Virgin Islands, just east of Puerto Rico.

This Friday we will fly into St. Thomas, and then take the "fast ferry" over to Tortola - the main island of the BVI. Skipper Steve has put together a tentative itinerary for us. After our first night in Tortola, we will sail to Cooper, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, and Norman, before returning to Tortola. Each island has places to moor for the evening, and we will enjoy the nightlife ashore.

The Boat

We are chartering our boat from an outfit called Conch Charters. We're chartering bareboat, meaning we're not renting a crew. Therefore, we are the crew. Hopefully, someone will explain what that will mean to me at some point. Anyway, the boat is a 40+ foot catamaran. It has four separate staterooms (with four bathrooms), a galley, and lots of places to sit above to enjoy the views. It sounds big, but I imagine with eight of us on board, it probably won't feel that big after a few days.

For food and drinks, they have a setup with a local grocery store and liquor store.  You pick off of a list of items - 30 pages long.  Then they deliver the stuff to the boat on the first night.  We plan to not do any cooking onboard, so our choices for food will revolve around snacks and easy breakfasts and lunches.  Our dinners will be onshore at local restaurants and bars each night.

In my next post, I'll preview the islands of the BVI that we are planning to visit.

Rob

My first post

Well, I think I need to write about this upcoming trip I am taking. About a year ago, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law asked Susan and I if we wanted to go with them and their neighbors to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) on a chartered sail boat. Without much hesitation or thought we said "Sure, why not". The time is now near - just 18 days until we leave. I feel like this is going to be a great adventure for us and will be filled with some great stories, so I thought I should keep a diary. Susan and I have traveled a lot, but this is a trip I would have never guessed we would have taken. Vince and Kim's neighbors - Steve and Trish, are the organizers of this little trip. Steve has been sailing since he was a kid, and is a licensed captain. They have done this trip several times and others, so this is not new to them. We have our flight booked, the boat has been chartered, and we have planned our provisions for the boat, so all that is left is to get down there and begin the adventure. In my next post, I'll describe more about the boat, the islands, and the people we will be sharing this adventure with. Until then, Rob