Having been to the BVI on several other occasions the Haberle Pirates, Krusty and Peg Leg (a.k.a. Kristin and Craig) gave us the challenge of taking them to some places that they have never been before in the BVI. So we came up with an itinerary that hit a couple of their favorite BIV spots and a couple of new spots for them. With the weather cooperating and Chef HiHo working magic in the galley we had a fine Thanksgiving week of sailing, snorkeling, relaxing and just plain old fun. The Haberle Pirates picture slide show Saturday, November 21 We were up early to catch our flight out of Baltimore and things went very smoothly until we got to San Juan where we ran into some flight delays. But we still got to the Sunsail base in Tortola in time to make it to the grocery store and get back to the marina for dinner. With all of the week's provisions stored and stomachs full it didn't take long to fall asleep with a gentle breeze blowing through the yacht. Sunday, November 22 Having spent some time at the Cooper Island Beach Club Krusty and Peg Leg were anxious to get back there for a visit. So after checking out all of the yacht's systems, topping off the fuel and water tanks we were off on our first sail over to Cooper Island which is one of our favorite anchorages. There we caught up with our good friends Sam and Andy who manage the CIBC and found out about all of the renovations taking place making a really nice place even better. There was plenty of time in the late afternoon for a snorkel before being treated to one of Chef HiHo's delicious dinners. Nothing like falling asleep to the gentle rocking of the yacht on its mooring. Monday, November 23 After a beautiful sunrise (happens a lot in the BVI, almost everyday in fact) and a nice leisurely breakfast we set sail for George Dog Island. where we anchored in a nice spot on the south side of the island. The afternoon's activity consisted of a snorkel along the southern shore line. Lots of fun stuff to see as usual. As evening approached the other yachts who had joined us in the anchorage for the day weighed anchor and departed leaving the whole anchorage to us alone. It was a very nice quiet peaceful night under the stars. Tuesday, November 24 Everyone's up early for a quick breakfast and then the long sail over to Anegada. Kristin and Craig have never been over to the big (2nd largest island in the BVI), flat (highest elevation on the whole island is only 28 ft above sea level) island. It is the only coral island among the volcanic chain of BVI islands. The sailing was relatively fast and smooth between a close and a beam reach. We arrived at the anchorage in front of the Anegada Reef Hotel just about lunch time after a 3 hour sail and found a nice spot to anchor among the other yachts that had already arrived. After laying around a bit relaxing we headed ashore for a stroll around the neighborhood and along the beach stopping to make dinner reservations for Anegada Lobster for Wednesday night. What a spectacular sunset over the anchorage with the high clouds as we strolled along the beach and then headed back to Jamann for Happy Hour and dinner. Wednesday, November 25 We packed up some goodies, our fins and snorkels and caught a taxi over to Loblolly Bay on the North side of Anegada. On the way our driver was kind enough to point out things of interest including a glimpse of the resident pink flamingos around one of the ponds. The beach at Loblolly Bay was quiet and peaceful this early in the day. As usual the snorkeling was fantastic as we got to see turtles, baracuda, spotted eagle rays, southern sting rays and lots of beautiful fish and coral. Definitely a must see and do spot in the BVI. To top off the day there is nothing as good as fresh Anegada lobster on the deck of the restaurant enjoying the meal under the stars. Okay, so there were a couple of mosquitos around but the bug spray took good care of them and we enjoyed a fabulous dinner before heading back to Jamann for a night cap. Thursday, November 26 Happy Thanksgiving Day, Caribbean style! We weighed anchor and with the wind between a beam and a broad reach headed back across the Anegada passage back to the anchorage off Diamond Cay between Little Jost Van Dyke and Jost Van Dyke. It was a nice leisurely sail in beautiful sunny weather with Kristin and Craig taking a few turns at the helm. Not much longer after we anchored turtles started popping up for air all around us - time to go snorkeling. Chef HiHo put out a delicious happy hour snack while we watched the sunlight dancing on the high clouds as the sun set. Then she put out a Thanksgiving feast of Cornish Hen and wild rice that just can't be beat. The end to a another perfect day of sailing. Friday, November 27 A lazy day today as we take our time getting started and having breakfast. A short motor over to the anchorage between Sandy Spit and Green Cay. Another beautiful sunny morning. After setting the anchor it was soon time for a nice long snorkel over to Sandy spit, then along the protected shore line over to Green Cay and back to Jamann for a nice light lunch. Midafternoon we motored on down to Little Harbor off Jost Van Dyke and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing, reading and watching the goats feeding on the grasses on the hillside right behind us. To add to Kristin and Craig's new adventures in the BVI we had to have dinner at Sidney's Peace and Love restaurant here in Little Harbor. The self-serve bar is a great set up for the lobster and ribs dinner feast - no way you can push away from the table without being full. Saturday, November 28 Today's destination is Peter Island, on the other side of Tortola. To get there we sail down around the southwest tip of Tortola with a stop at Soper's Hole for a little shopping and reprovisioning. Sailing to windward and against the current through the passage between Tortola and St. John (USVI) was fun but slow and we finally had to kick in the "iron genny" (pirate talk for turning on the motor) to make time so that we can arrive at the anchorage off the south side of Peter Island in good light to be able to see the coral heads and pick a good spot to drop the anchor. It is often quiet here with only a few yachts spending the night here. This time we shared the anchorage with only one other yacht. Of course once the anchor is set it's time to snorkel and the snorkeling around Key Point was great. Several turtles and spotted eagle rays kept us entertained for quite a while and the slowly setting sun brought out the true colors of the fish, like swimming in an aquarium. Chef HiHo out did herself again preparing another great HappyHour snack and dinner to celebrate the end of our adventures. Sunday, November 29 With the rising sun and breakfast done it was time for the quick sail back across the Sir Francis Drake Channel back to the Sunsail base in Roadtown. It was a great week of sailing, snorkeling, reading, painting, beach combing, cloud watching, turtle spotting and just plain enjoying life to the fullest. We look forward to having the Haberle Pirates join us again for another adventure in the future. |