Sailing with 'Sophisticated Lady'

Hi Everyone!

We finally wrapped up a very successful second season in the British Virgin Islands! Last week we said good-bye to our last guests, then we were left with 3 days to get the boat cleaned, prepped, inspected and provisioned for the long ocean passage back to Toronto, Canada. Our crew arrived on Tuesday night to get ready for our Offshore Adventure from the BVI's to Bermuda which was scheduled to leave on Thursday. We know we've fallen way behind in our log updates, so we thought we'd play a little catch-up with them before we delve into our latest adventure with you.

We had a few precious days in between charters and Christmas and it was suggested that we take a jaunt over to the Spanish Virgin Islands. It took no time for all of us to say " yah , lets go!". We were travelling with our friends on "Gypsy Blues" and "Latitude" both from Georgian Bay. It was so great to see our friends again and to have some time to just sail and hang out together. Rick and I had been to the Spanish Islands last year and they stole our hearts as soon as we glided into port. There is something so magical about the tiny crooked pockets of colourful buildings nestled in the hills. The roads are tiny and almost all winding or straight up. Nothing seems to move quickly and there is a sense of utter calm and peace. It feels like a sleepy, gentle place with the occasional rooster crowing to break the quiet.

One of the endless beautiful beaches of Isla D'Culebra

We all had a great sail to Culebrita and tucked into the calm anchorage. We all wanted to go to the beautiful beach on the far side of the island. It truly goes for miles and miles with hardly a soul on it. I asked if everyone wanted to rent scooters and when we hopped on and felt the breeze on our faces and watched the landscape unfold beneath us, it was magical! It was great to be bombing along at a speed greater then 8 knots!! We all loved the steep crazy roads with deep ruts that led us to ever changing views of beautiful villas and quiet, rolling valleys of green.

Scootering around the Spanish Virgin Islands

Doug & Wendy on their scooter

The beach on the far side is truly beautiful and seems to be endless. The sand is perfect and soft and simply invites long walks and quiet meditation. We all stripped off our shirts and shorts (yes we had suits underneath!) and leapt into the warm azure blue water. There is a reef that encloses the entire beach and the waves are just big enough to body surf and ride. As we looked around we realized we were the only people there except a couple of others and the beach goes for miles on either side. How cool! As we were walking along the beach we noticed all these tiny black things in the sand. I looked closer and realized they were bees,hundreds and hundreds of bees alive but stuck in the sand. Poor Cheryl stepped on one as she was taking a group photo and she said it really really hurt. We all carefully picked our way back to the bikes and donned our helmets for the open road.

Terri with a tank that got lost on the beach

I am not sure why this anchorage is called Christmas cove but it kind of fits as it is very close to Christmas time and we are thinking of our families and kids. We will soon be home to spend the holidays with them and we think of that as we float in this pristine and gorgeous cove. The water is so crystal clear you can see ever ripple of the sand on the bottom. There are hundreds of long black spiky sea urchins covering the ocean floor here which I have never seen before. They look like tiny black stars on an upside down sky. When Ashley and I go to shore we are very careful getting out of the dinghy as the shoreline is covered in sharp black coral that look like moon rocks, all pitted and fused together. The sand is nice and soft once you make it there but we are quickly eaten alive by the dreaded "no-see-ums". These are tiny little sand bugs that bite like crazy and come out at dusk so we're always sure to get back to the boat quickly to escape them! The sky is smattered with stars as we swing in the hammock on our gently rocking boat. We sigh in appreciation and drink in the sunset and tunes of the tree frogs.

Sunset at Christmas Cove near St Thomas

Our next charter is our friend Edye and her friends and they climb on board full of smiles and excitement. We love showing everyone our favourite spots and delight in hearing them say " this is so gorgeous, its my favourite" until we get to the next place and that is the new favourite! Each island is so unique that you cant help falling in love with each one.

Welcome aboard to Cathy, Edye, JD, and Cathy!

Edye and her gang love the endless sun and swimming in the delicious warm waters. Cathy had been told by one of her friends to make sure she checked out Michael Beans show when she was here. He is a local pirate/folk singer who is a legend in these here parts, don't cha know!! We had heard the name around, but had never been available to take in the show, so... it was time!

Michael Beans pirate show!

Michael's show is up on the top of a hill in a tiny craggy bar that over looks the anchorage full of boats. He is an incredible entertainer with an infectious smile and spirit that fills the audience with laughter and fun. He makes you feel like you are a pirate on the high seas laughing and arrgggghhhing your way to unknown places. Everyone has an instrument to bang or shake and everyone ends up singing and becoming part of the show. The highlight of the show is the conch blowing contest. A conch is the giant sea shell that you often pick up to try and hear the ocean. They drill a hole in one end and you blow into it and get this really cool, low haunting fog horn-like sound out of it. Who ever can blow the longest note wins a bottle of rum!! And pirates love their rum!

Rick & Terri with Michael Beans after the show

Walking the beaches of the Baths National Park, BVI's

One of our favourite spots in the islands has always been the Baths. This immense collection of house size boulders all jumbled together formed by volcanic eruptions is breath taking and all our guests have always commented on it being one of the highlights of their trip. Even as many times as we've been there, it never ceases to amaze! There is a hike leading through all the caves, pools and grottos hidden in the giant rocks that everyone loves.

Full Moon Rising at Saba Rock Beach Resort, Virgin Gorda Sound

Virgin Gorda which means "Fat Virgin" in spanish is an island with a bay on one side that is home to Saba Rock and The Bitter End, two more of our favourite places to take guests. Saba rock is a little resort and restaurant perched on its own little island. The drinks and food are great and the landscape is spectacular.

Dinner at The Bitter End Yacht Club

Dinner at the Bitter End is a must do. The soft breeze blowing on you as you listen to the live steel drum band feasting on sumptuous food is intoxicating. Does it ever get much better then this? The tiny lights of the sailboats at anchor in the bay twinkle and light the waters as you gaze out from the beach. It really feels like paradise with the thatched roofs of the villas dotting the green hillside and the palm leaves swaying in the breeze... It always makes for a fantastic evening before we head back to 'Sophisticated Lady' and all crawl in our beds with full hearts and tummies.

'Sophisticated Lady' Waiting Peacefully at Anchor