This past week we had the honor of having the DiMartinos onboard. Virgins to the islands as well as living on a boat for a week they are now seasoned and may be returning next year! Peggy is convinced she is a water baby and needs to be near it every few months - come on back down I say.
They started their journey with a delay out of Atlanta causing them to miss their connection from San Juan to St Thomas. True travelers they took advantage of a paid overnight in Puerto Rico and tooled around Old San Juan. Not knowing which ferry they would be able to catch to Soper's Hole I sat on our deck waving at passengers as quite a few went by. Once upon MyDeere we set sail to Norman Island for a swim and the night.
After a walk to the Bight (Tom jogged back) we went to snorkel the Indians. Definitely one of the best snorkel stops in the Carribean.
Short jaunt to Peter Island for more snorkeling/swimming and the evening. As we headed up to North Sound we stopped at the Rhone for a shipwreck snorkel and lunch. Tom then took the helm and did a great job. Much quicker learning "the ropes" than I. Enjoyed Happy Hour @ Saba Rock as they fed the Tarpin and saw a moray eel. After a walk to Briers Creek we sailed out to Monkey Point for a snorkel and still no turles.!? A rather rolly night on the hook in Lee Bay off of Great Camanoe caused the Captain to rise early with a great decision - motor to Marina Cay, pick a mooring ball and enjoy a calm coffee and breakfast. Onward to the Dogs and back to north Sound for Super Bowl @ Leverick Bay. What a game - Yea Patriots!!! Favorite commercials - the Chevy truck one and the cruise line. Of course the Budweiser puppy is always a tear jerker.
Monday morning was an island tour of Virgin Gorda full of photo opportunities and a couple of hours at the /Baths. In ten years of our coming to the BVIs we have never seen it so rough. We made our way through to Devils Bay were the surf was pounding. Already being wet from the passage we merely tried to not get any wetter. Smartest one in the group was Peggy for bringing an extra change of clothes - genius! As Tom and I were trying to dry off in the sun @ Mad Dogs waiting for lunch, Jim struck up a conversation with a guy at the next table to find out that they guy he was travelling with was Ches' Offshore Sailing coach @ USNA - small world. Even smaller when we returned to Jumbies Bar (Leverick Bay) for the Pirate show and ran into Barry & Pam Jones from Edenton. Freaky. After the show and the Pirates Creed in hand Tom is now on the lookout for any potential attacks. Not so great @ blowing the conch shell but Peggy can handle that.
A week of sun, wind, snorkeling, deep conversation, laughs, poker and even a game of Pass the Pigs (thanks Mary), we capped it all off with dinner @ Frenchman's Reef - a wonderful dining experience with good food and good friends. The FULL moon allowed us to walk back to the dinghy because our bellies were full.
We are excited to get back to the states next week to honor our eldest @ his winging ceremony. Joining us is Janet, Uncle Sherwood and Dolly. We will miss seeing Stephen (class schedule will not allow) but he has decided to Spring Break on MyDeere so all is well.
Still having a bit of difficulty getting pictures onto the computer so I apologize for no gallery updates especially as Jim has taken some great ones.