Day 1
Wednesday, 12/30/15
Eric was due to arrive from South Korea on Tuesday afternoon, but as American Airlines would have it, he was delayed until 12:15am Wednesday morning. Fortunately he was mostly packed before he left a month prior, so when we got back to John and Fadya's house around 1:00 am, there wasn't much to do before we left the house for the airport at 3:00 am.
We arrive on time, and due to mechanical issues (thanks again American Airlines), we sat on the tarmac for 2 hours, thus missing our connecting flight. In Miami we were able to get on a flight still to arrive that night, but lo and behold, our bags weren't due to arrive in St. Thomas until the first flight the next morning. Ok, it's only up from here, right?!
 |
| Sour faces after delays... |
 |
| And we are on our way! |
Upon finally embarking on Whisper, Miss Pam had dinner [green chili with Turkey meat] prepared. It was just the first taste and tease of all the impressive dishes she whipped up in the galley. We finally took a deep breath, appreciated where we were, laid under the stars on the trampoline and took in the beauty of the night.
Day 2
Thursday, 12/31/15
John left early with Captain Denny to return to the airport to retrieve our luggage. They got back about 8:30 am just in time for breakfast [biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs]. Once Captain filled up the water tank, took out the trash and filled up with ice, we were off for the BVIs about 9:30 am.
 |
| What a view to wake up to! |
 |
| Off we go! |
Surrounded by the tunes of our island playlist, blue water and gorgeous mansions, we were on our way to customs prior to entering the BVIs from the USVIs. Eric and John went on the dinghy with Captain to take care of the paperwork on land, while Fadya and I exhausted our cameras with photos of all the beauty. Lunch [chicken salad wraps with veggie chips] was served then we were on our way to Norman Island.
As soon as we were moored, Captain Denny took us to some caves for our first snorkeling adventure. John swam in deep enough to one and found a great photo spot!
That night after dinner [fish tacos], we took the dinghy to the World Famous Willy T's Floating Bar and Restaurant. This place is legendary for the clothing-optional policy and crazy parties on board. We had a few drinks [vodka/water, hold the vodka, for me] and enjoyed the evening with a little people-watching. Before it got too crazy, or too late, we headed back to our boat to celebrate the new year. It was just us, and it was perfect. Eric and I made a few calls and facetimed family back home before we retired to our stateroom for the night.
Day 3
Wednesday, 1/1/16
A gourmet breakfast [french bread french toast with pecan praline sauce] to start the new year was waiting for us as we emerged from our rooms. We set sail for our first destination of the day, The Indians, for some incredible snorkeling. We arrived and were the only ones there on that beautiful morning. We saw barracuda, colorful fish, some scuba divers much deeper down, and some really neat coral formations. One such formation was a natural coral cave about 10-15' deep that one could potentially swim through. Pregnancy prevented me from attempting, but Eric and John thought they had it. Turns out, the cave was a little too deep and a little too long for either to make it through. Mind you, we had been swimming and snorkeling for almost 2 hours at this point, so it definitely could have happened if they attempted it first thing off the boat.
Lunch [turkey wraps] was ready for us when we returned to the boat. Since the breakfast sat heavy on my pregnant tummy, Miss Pam indulged me with a PBJ, my pregnancy go-to, and all was right in the world.
Next stop, Trellis Bay on Beef Island. We went to the beach to walk through the one open shop, spent some time at The Loose Mongoose and drank their famous BBCs [Banana and Bailey's Coladas], virgin Pina Colada for me.
Dinner [chicken tika, and black eyed peas for New Years luck] aboard Whisper was once again delightful! The four of us laid under the expansive spread of stars that evening on the nets and just admired the serenity of the locale. We all retired to bed before 10--Captain planned to depart before we even woke up the next morning to head to The Baths.
Day 4
Day 4
Thursday, 1/2/16
A very early departure meant arrival at The Baths before 8:00 am. We got a prime mooring ball location and had breakfast [bacon and egg breakfast sandwich] on the boat. Before 9:00 am, we were swimming from the boat to The Baths. What an experience! We were the only ones walking through "The Baths, a geological wonder comprised of awe-inspiring granite boulders, which form sheltered sea pools on the beach's edge." Along the walk, there are secret little rock pools surrounded by huge boulders that are up to 40 foot in diameter. Ultimately you come to Devil's Bay, a picturesque sandy beach. Captain Denny knew some secret spots and made our tour through The Baths extra special.
We spent a couple hours walking through and enjoying the private beach before turning around to head out. Devil's Bay became known as our special little cove--some unique memories made, for sure. By the time we were leaving, a boatful of tourists had arrived and littered each of the little pools. It really made me appreciate how special it was to walk through with just our little group.
There is a restaurant at the peak of the island, so we hiked up to grab a refreshment and some unique perspective. Every view was gorgeous!
We snorkeled back to the boat for lunch [brats with coleslaw--deliciously made with grapes and honey cashews] then sailed about an hour to Leverick Bay on Virgin Gorda. It was smooth sailing and we reached a top speed of 9.1 knots!We took the dinghy to land and grabbed some snacks and drinks at Jumbies. We enjoyed the pretty patio with Christmas lights decorating the beach. THE Ron White happened to be shooting some Patron at the bar, and was kind enough to snap a photo with our group!
That night we were treated to another gourmet dinner [starting with blue cheese and pears, followed by salad with balsamic curry vinaigrette, thick cut pork chops with Portobello mushroom gravy, sweet potatoes and complete with crème brulee. wow.] We were in bed by 10 pm, but not before a few games of Catch Phrase and Uno--with no victory recorded for John!
Day 5
Friday, 1/3/16
Eric and I woke up about 8:30 after a great night's sleep. Breakfast [mushroom/onion frittata with papaya and apple muffins] was ready and waiting for us! We set sail about 9:30 for our longest journey of the trip--to Anegada. What originally was planned as a four hour trip only took a little over two hours as the wind blew in our favor. Anegada is the northern most island, only accessible by boat. This is the only coral island, as opposed to the volcanic chain that makes us the rest of the Virgin Islands.
We had lunch [spring rolls] when we arrived and the guys spent some time floating and relaxing in the water while Fadya and I opted to stay out of the 80 degree water that afternoon. A little while later, we took the dinghy to shore and visited a new, secluded beach club on the island. The 'beach club' was anti-climatic, small and quiet, but had a gorgeous beach connected to it.
We spent a little time marveling at the sights, then called for a ride back to our original landing point. Dark skies were looming, so we were just trying to beat the squall that looked inevitable! Before we jumped back on the dinghy to head to the boat, we saw a guy harvesting the fresh lobster catches of the day. HUGE, fresh lobsters from the day, so of course, we had to stop and take some pictures!
Dinner [salad, mahi tacos, rice and key lime pie, oh my!] was ready for us--I mean how did we get so lucky?! This is unreal, celebrity-status-stuff--and we enjoyed a quiet evening on the boat.
We spent a couple hours walking through and enjoying the private beach before turning around to head out. Devil's Bay became known as our special little cove--some unique memories made, for sure. By the time we were leaving, a boatful of tourists had arrived and littered each of the little pools. It really made me appreciate how special it was to walk through with just our little group.
There is a restaurant at the peak of the island, so we hiked up to grab a refreshment and some unique perspective. Every view was gorgeous!
We snorkeled back to the boat for lunch [brats with coleslaw--deliciously made with grapes and honey cashews] then sailed about an hour to Leverick Bay on Virgin Gorda. It was smooth sailing and we reached a top speed of 9.1 knots!We took the dinghy to land and grabbed some snacks and drinks at Jumbies. We enjoyed the pretty patio with Christmas lights decorating the beach. THE Ron White happened to be shooting some Patron at the bar, and was kind enough to snap a photo with our group!
That night we were treated to another gourmet dinner [starting with blue cheese and pears, followed by salad with balsamic curry vinaigrette, thick cut pork chops with Portobello mushroom gravy, sweet potatoes and complete with crème brulee. wow.] We were in bed by 10 pm, but not before a few games of Catch Phrase and Uno--with no victory recorded for John!
Day 5
Friday, 1/3/16
Eric and I woke up about 8:30 after a great night's sleep. Breakfast [mushroom/onion frittata with papaya and apple muffins] was ready and waiting for us! We set sail about 9:30 for our longest journey of the trip--to Anegada. What originally was planned as a four hour trip only took a little over two hours as the wind blew in our favor. Anegada is the northern most island, only accessible by boat. This is the only coral island, as opposed to the volcanic chain that makes us the rest of the Virgin Islands.
We had lunch [spring rolls] when we arrived and the guys spent some time floating and relaxing in the water while Fadya and I opted to stay out of the 80 degree water that afternoon. A little while later, we took the dinghy to shore and visited a new, secluded beach club on the island. The 'beach club' was anti-climatic, small and quiet, but had a gorgeous beach connected to it.
Dinner [salad, mahi tacos, rice and key lime pie, oh my!] was ready for us--I mean how did we get so lucky?! This is unreal, celebrity-status-stuff--and we enjoyed a quiet evening on the boat.
No comments:
Post a Comment