January 29...Checked in at Sopers Hole and then of course went to Pussers for two Painkillers and one Rum Twizzle as well as some calamari and conch friters. Departed for Cane Garden for the big party tonight with Bob Bitchin.
Spent a wonderful day on the beach at Caine Garden. Did some paddle boarding.
Big party turned out to be a bit of a bust. No one really knew what was going on. Peter quite disappointed. Basically, a dinner with Bob being there and talking to various people. We all had a good time at dinner though.
Sailed over to Norman, the Bight, cocktails at the nice bar/restaurant. Spent the night.
This morning, February 1, motor sailed to Cooper, then on to Spanishtown, Virgin Gorda. Tomorrow, The Baths.
A lovely day at The Baths and at Devils Bay watching all the cruise ship people. Lots of charter boats but the bay is lovely. Late afternoon a motor to Leverick, one of my fav spots. We took a cab up to Hog Heaven for ribs, plantain and salad. Again a most beautiful view overlooking Mosquito, Necker, Prickly Pear, Eustacia, now owned by Larry Page, Saba Rock, Bitter End and Biras Creek, which is now closed and 80 employees have been laid off. A photo of a bicylclist who apparently bikes past Hog Heaven every week. If you could see the hills.....amazing to do it. Apparently he is in training...what else would possess him!
Sitting on the beach presently and will be off to anchor at Prickly Pear tonight. Visited Saba Rock. A new patio overlooking the water facing southeast was absolutely gorgeous. I felt as if I was in Polynesia. Nice and relaxing with wicker comfy chairs. Then down to the beach for a lay down on hammocks.
Away we sailed this morning with the intention of going to White Bay on Guana but ended up at Marina Cay. Took the ferry across to Trellis and also visited the very modern airport. The next morning sailed to White Bay on Guana, a lunch stop, walked the beach and headed over to Foxys Taboo for a visit to the Bubbly Pool. The surf was great.
Overnighted, then tried to pick up a mooring at White Bay on Jost Van Dyke, unsuccessful, and lost our boat hook but Peter managed to dinghy after it. Swells were pretty great and we managed to anchor. Emily and I went to the beach and visited The Soggy Dollar for a couple of painkillers. Just before happy hour went back to Great Harbour to check out, visit Foxys and then back to the boat for diner. The bartender wanted Emily to come back at night so he could dance with her. He also gave her an extra drink while she was laying in the hammock. Oh, to be young! The worst sleeping night that we have had so far...really rocky and rolly and the dinghy kept hitting the side of the boat and it sounded like an explosion each time it did.
Left early to check in to Cruz Bay, USVI and encountered a very difficult customs officer. We always thought we had to be together for checking in but she took Peter alone and asked him questions that had to be on the form but there was no mention of them. Emily and I went to a separate officer and no questions asked except the one about food and garbage. Peter ended up paying $6 for parking the dinghy at the customs dock. In 30 years of going to Cruz he had never heard of that one. Lunch at our fav, The Beach Bar, although Peter was sitting at another bar having a drink. I kept wondering what was keeping him and found him at the wrong bar. So much for remembering our fav bar! Returned to our mooring at Caneel, a quick dip and off to Charlotte Amalie.
view from Hog Heaven
