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Wow, it's
been quite a busy holiday season down here! We hope everyone has been enjoying
some time off and having some fun during this Christmas and New Years! In the
islands it certainly becomes the craziest time of year... all the boats are in
full play and trying to get into a favorite anchorage ahead of the crowd can
become quite a challenge!
Lana and I welcomed our latest guests aboard on December 26th, after having traveled all the way across North America from Beverly Hills, California... that's quite a haul! Cara and Pace were very excited to be here after a long day of traveling, so we broke them into island time with their first tropical Painkillers (a favorite island rum drink) as soon as we arrived back at 'Sophisticated Lady'. It wasn't long before Pace asked, "can I have a beer too please?"... after several more rounds in the early evening we quickly realized we may have to replenish beers early on this trip! lol 
Cara & Pace from Beverly Hills, CA
Pace and Cara were ready to party island style, so we all piled into the dinghy and headed over to The Last Resort to enjoy the band and have a few rounds. After quite a few more rounds, some great dancing and live music, we were all pretty beat and it was time to call it a day. Cara had also surprised us with a couple unexpected shots from the bar that night so needless to say, Lana being quite a lightweight was not operating at full-speed for part of the next day! lol
The next morning we set sail from Trellis Bay for Jost Van Dyke, home of the world famous Foxy's Beach Bar! Cara had already heard all about Foxy's from her mother who has apparently traveled here many times in the past, so it was very high on the priority list of first stops! After stopping for a visit at the tiny island Sandy Spit, we had a great breakfast (ok, so it was lunch by this time, lol) of Pina Colada pancakes and fresh fruit before setting sail into Diamond Cay where we would stay for the night. The next day they not only got to have a great dinner at Foxy's, they even got to meet Foxy!
Cara & Lana getting some affection Foxy style!
What Happens at Foxy's, stays at Foxy's! lol
After another great night of dancing to some island tunes at Foxy's, we all piled into the dinghy and headed back to the boat where the girls decided to go for a moonlight swim before heading off to bed. Of course no trip to Jost Van Dyke is complete without a visit to White Bay, home of the Soggy Dollar Beach Bar who just happens to be the inventor of the island drink, the Painkiller! In talking to Mic at the bar, he claims to have already served over 2 million painkillers in just 3 years... at $5 each, that's a pretty good beach business!!
Mic & the Girls at Soggy Dollar
Kicking back 'Island Style' for a spectacular White Bay sunset!
After our usual stopover in Soper's Hole the next day for shopping, provisioning and water top-up, it was time for a visit to Norman Island... those of you who've been receiving our emails for some time will remember Norman Island, aka Treasure Island, is home to another world famous site, The Caves at Treasure Point! Cara & Pace were both very excited about this stop as they had never been snorkeling and were really looking forward to visiting such a well known spot for great snorkeling! We were at anchor less than 5 minutes at the point, and the snorkeling gear was out as everyone scrambled to get ready and jump into the sparkling turquoise water!
Ready for snorkeling!
Cara & Pace swimming the beautiful turquoise waters at Treasure Island
Lana with a Starfish!
Beautiful collections of reef fish everywhere!
Soaring alongside a huge Spotted Eagle Ray!
Exploring inside one of the caves
The only major stop left on our list was the Baths at Virgin Gorda... no trip to the BVI's would be complete without visiting the spectacular Baths! It is just such an amazing spectacle of giant, house sized boulders all jumbled in a pile on a very beautiful beach. We wandered through the caves between the baths that lead to another beautiful beach on the other side called Devil's Bay, and it is absolutely gorgeous with white sand and crystal clear turquoise water, with coral outcroppings everywhere. The Baths definitely deliver!
Cara & Pace in one of the many naturally formed caves at the Baths
Lana chilling out at Devil's Bay Beach
After a busy afternoon of exploring and hiking at the Baths, we set sail again, this time for Virgin Gorda Sound where they could spend their last night and have a great dinner at The Bitter End Yacht Club, one of the finest clubs in the islands!
Taking a much needed rest after hiking the Baths
Lana reminiscing another great day in the islands
Cara & Pace at The Bitter End
And so on that note, we'll bid you farewell till next time, and leave you with a couple of our many photos taken at New Years Eve. We spent a fantastic night at the Trellis Bay Village New Years Eve party, and did they ever put on a great party! We were up until all hours enjoying fantastic live music, great friends and a great crowd, the famous fire sculptures put out by Aragorn's Art Studio and the Trellis Bay Cyber Cafe, and even a spectacular fireworks display right off the beach! It was truly a great place to spend New Years and we all had a fantastic time!
Aragorn's flaming sculptures at the Cyber Cafe beachfront
Toasting in the New Year with champagne aboard 'Sophisticated Lady'... Cheers Everyone!!
Lana & I had a great time with Cara & Pace, I know Lana was very sad to see them go, the girls really had fun together. We'll look forward to seeing them again sometime soon! To the rest of you all, we wish you the happiest of New Years and look forward to seeing you too!! If you're thinking of a trip to the islands this winter, we still have limited availability left and some great packages, so drop us a line now and we'll get started planning your dream holiday!
Cheers, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Rick, Captain Lana, Crew S/V 'Sophisticated Lady'
Wind
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My Sails Inc. |
