Culebra

March 19...Exciting times yesterday as we sailed away from our anchorage in Culebrita. Well actually it happened while having breakfast. Spotted a blow and some black moving around. Well, it turned out to be two whales, perhaps a mama and baby. They were around for quite some time and as we sailed away under careful watch to as not to hit them, we could see them behind us. Got the palpation going that's for sure.
Arrived in Culebra  and had choice of many moorings but decided to head to Rosario for two reasons. One, Flamenco Beach  is a 15 minute walk and two, probably less rolly and more protected!
A wonderful day at Flamenco and luxury with two umbrellas and beach chairs. A good walk along the beach  as well.
March 22...We moved over to Melones yesterday. Snorkeling and walk into town with a stop at the Dinghy Dock of course. JB cooked dinner. Shrimp, fish and all sorts of good stuff. Yummy!

Today is Thursday, March  26th  and we have had a couple of nice days here at Melones. One day we rented a golf cart and toured the island. Pleasant and fun.  Stopped at dinghy dock restaurant for a big lunch, so much that dinner was very light with some cheese  and French stick. Yesterday a quiet day but of course a stop for happy hour at Dinghy Dock. JB tried very hard without success to get a cab.....no one wanted to take a single rider to the airport. They all were waiting to get the passengers from the ferry. One even said ten o'clock was too early!

March 26...Well we are still here at Melones. We had planned to leave today for Palmas del Mar but on the advice of Lou we held back. Apparently swells getting into the marina are untenable. We were going to leave for Green Bay on Viequese but decided to stay put here for another day. Weather is warm, a bit overcast, windy and a bit swelly but figure we will take a walk, perhaps into town later on....at least I will. Good pictures to be posted  at another time. 

Tortuga beach on  Culebrita

Flamenco Beach

Flamenco

Flamenco Beach

Zoni Beach

looking out toward Culebrita

looking out toward Culebrita

my favorite house

a ranch on Culebrita

just gorgeous...what a hedge!

Dakity anchorage

my walk to town was disrupted

And then.....hope the driver was okay

happy tourists at the lighthouse on Culebrita

USVIs

March 11...Arrived in the US again, checked in at Cruz. This time with no problem. Spent two nights in Fat Hogs Bay at Penns Landing in the BVIS. Canada night the first night  which was a success as usual. Took our pizzas back as they were so large that none of us finished. Took bus into Roadtown  to check out, lunch at Wickems Cay, then a walk over to Sunsail/Moorings charter area. Lots of boats!
Happy hour at Red Rock, discovered I liked Dark'nStormys. Yum! And back to boat for last supper with Dave of leftover pizza. Next day, Dave left as did we.
Currently in Francis Bay. Winds last night 20 to 25 and temperature was coolish to say the least. No ports or hatches were left open. Very unusual. Still cool today but still wearing shorts and short sleeves.

March 13...Here we sit in Francis Bay for the third day still enjoying the weather. Last night once again winds were up 20 to 30 with gusts of 40. Rain on and off. Positive note, Mistress no longer is full of salt and no leaks in the ports and hatches. Lots of water in the dinghy which is now rinsed as well. We are able to go to the beach in the afternoon and it is not too hot! Today apparently there is free beer all day at Christmas Cove because it it "PIE" day. We are passing mainly because there won't be any room!

Correction, today March 14 is pie day. They held it yesterday on Sunday so more people would come. Amazing how my mind goes on holidays sometime!

Today off to Long Bay, Charlotte Amalie, for laundry and stock up.

Weather when arrived was just not nice, rainy, and windy. But this morning a change. Back to the normal. Warm and sunny. Off to Costuless, Pueblos,etc. On way back to boat noticed huge fire and smoke. Along the waterfront a vessel was burning and firemen were doing their job! Sad state of affairs. Decided to go to Fat Turtle for wings and a beer and got a closer picture. On the way passed a pool, tennis courts and a beach volleyball court. Gee if I had known all that existed I may have pushed to stay at Yacht Haven Grand at least once in our stays in Long Bay here!

It was an 80 foot yacht that burned to the water line and was docked at Yacht Haven Grande, and towed to an more remote area along the waterfront. Read more on the front page of The Source,  St. Thomas.

March 16...Now sitting in Lindburgh Bay waiting for JB to arrive.

March 17...Gorgeous morning in Lindburgh Bay

March 18...A very nice sail over to Culibrita. Picked up a mooring ball on the southwest side with the help of Lou. Lou attached a line to the eye of the mooring at the bottom of the sea and we are attached in that way. Quite a diver!

Today we hiked up to the lighthouse and then over to Tortuga Bay. Swells but the water lovely and the bottom is all sand. We did over 6000 steps thanks to JB's app on his phone.

Yacht Haven Grande