Entries by BVI Captains Log Blog

We are almost full up for the 2008/2009 season. I am planning on closing our calendar about the beginning of July, so do not put it off if you want to book any longer.
Well, Lets put a pretty picture first!
I put these up on a website today, and it reminded me how much I like them. I have so many pictures I will never get through them all!

This was anchored up at Oil Nut Bay on Virgin Gorda this february, an absolutely spectacular night.


Ok, enough of that. Lets get back to the availability.. Not much at all. I have a bit of time just before Xmas and for Christmas through End of june 2009 this is what i have semi open.

Note I have said semi open. That is because anything that is held, someone is putting together a group and they may or may not go through. They are not confirmed until money changes hands.
Jan 30th to Feb 6th (Friday to Friday)** Hold on July 23rd

March 29th to April 4th ( Sunday to Saturday) 6 nights

April 5th to April 11th (Sunday to Saturday) 6 nights

May 2nd to May 9th ** Hold on Aug 1st

May 10th to May 16th**Hold on June 30th

June 7th through 30th is still open

Hold on June 12th through 19th. Hold on July 24th
Our friend Hopper with Swim Vacation has been marketing his little soul out! He has a couple weeks booked on Promenade this coming season, he just had a write up in the Globe and Mail, Canadas National Newspaper that I am attaching here in PDF format. Way to go! Visit his website at www.swimvacation.com to see how you can swim around our beautiful British Virgin Islands.

There has sure been a lot of gossip around the last week about the possibility of SCRUB Island (Mainsail) having problems. What a fiasco! Now it is festival, so I am glad to be off island for the next week. I know I will absolutely cry that day that someone tries to turn Salt Island into a Resort! That is my home, us and Old Henry....

Ok, that took about three hours, so time to go to bed!

Where are we going this evening? Well first I have to answer this comment I received about my pictures from up in Peace Country.
"Dear blogger,
I loved your photos. Was touched by Mennonite church. In-
teresting how German connections constantly recur in the more remote parts of Canada and the U.S.
Do you have any idea of the age, sex, and weight of that griz? Did you know that until the '30s the mighty plains grizzly was found in the Peace country.
I suppose those there now must be related; descended from those driven into outlying higher and more wooded parts, and now returning. Are they big?
I'd love to hear from you."

Thank you! Sometimes I wonder if anyone finds these pictures interesting as most people read me to find out what is going on in the British Virgin Islands and see the pretty fish there. This has been an interesting trip for me this summer to these places. All through up in that area there are "groups" of different ethnicities, they tended to stick together, ie, when they opened up these areas to homesteading, you would come over and write your family back in the old country and then they would tend to come to the same area, so they had a sense of community. After the war, many soldiers as well acquired land after being let out. There is many mennonite churches up in that area, in fact, there was an old mennonite church on my aunts property that was torn down back in 65 or so. My husband did a bit of metal detecting up on the church grounds and found a penny from 1917, and a few old brooches and buckles. When we get them cleaned up I will post a picture.
The grizzly had just come out of hibernation, I believe he was about 650 pounds, but would have been about 900 before he went into hibernation. He was not that old. He stood over 7 feet tall when he stood up!!!
We have had a busy week with my son Christopher here. We planned on taking Thursday and going up to Gabriola Island. My aunt and uncle have had a place on the water there for their trailor in the summer for 40 years. Of course we were going near water so it had to be raining! We have had the A/C on twice this summer, and I have sure enjoyed the low humidity.
This is the old dock in Nanaimo where you take the ferry over to gabriola Island. Apparently a hippy get away from it place many years ago.

We parked the Lion down by the water where we could watch the ferries go back and forth.

My aunt and uncle, it was the ones who just had their 50th anniversary that we attended in Edmonton also have an airstream there that they love and have had for many years.

Let me say that it is pouring! rain...We cuddled underneath the awning thinking it would let up, but no, so we finally had to go exploring in the rain.

Off we head to the beach, coats , umbrellas, rain hats and so on!

Bazza, always being a wuss in the cold had about three coats on!

The beach is looking cold and desolate with the tide out and the fog in....

My middle son is more ambitious then we are. She who has sat at her computer and ate is not too mountain goat at the moment!

My father took the safe route and watched us from the top of the hill. He looked like the buck in Bambi who told him "your mother can't be with us any longer son..You must learn to walk alone"

These are arbutus trees. They lose their bark instead of their leaves!

So now you are going to the seashore! And we do have beautiful seashore in Canada as well. Such a nice change to see! I love all the old logs that are up on the beach.

And all these strange rock formations. No stranger then the baths I guess!

Then we went to the tide pools to see what i could take pictures of. Bazza called this a louse, but I call it an isopod

a crab (they were all pretty tiny)

Rocks

Pretty, pretty pink and purple starfish, lots of them everywhere in the tidal pools



Apparently Gabriola was never inhabited by the Indians full time, but they did come over here to collect oysters and they sent their sick over here so they would not contaminate others in the tribe. ( I believe they claim the entire island as a sacred place now, but that seems to be about the state of all the land in BC!
They were formed millienia ago, by waves and sea and wind. The Spanish found them in 1792 and a 100 years later in the museum of Madrid a handwritten picture of them was found in an old trunk.

These are fascinating. Nice and wide and easy to walk in. I took a picture of the boys in there

and then just a couple more they are so pretty.



Picture of a Bay.

And a nice limpet

Then it was back to the airstream for some lunch that my father had made that morning.

My uncle Byrnes took us for a ride around the island to show us all the spots they have came to know and love. They have a good size marina, that apparently it is very hard to get a slip in. He has been on a waiting list for a few years.

What surprised me though was the amount of mold growning on the boats. All the sunbrella fabrics, the decks, the windowsills, (they even had moss growing out of them!) obviously a harsh environment for a boat as well. eye opener for me as I always think we have it the worst for boat maintenance down in the Caribbean!

I saw Bazza eyeing this boat and thought that maybe he was thinking that he would love that much varnish on Promenade! (Don't believe that!)

Thought of my friends the Weavers in Booth Bay Maine, as they live on the site of an old brick factory, and there was an old brick factory on gabriola Island as well. this is a short boat with a long tow (seamanship one oh one) carrying a load from the island!

If you get a chance to go here, it truly is beautiful. My uncle is talking about getting the boat out for awhile when we come back next summer!

Here are two which came through the Charter Yacht Society, for those who have an interest in the pre clearance program that is being tested in the BVI. The documents which will help to understand the new eSeaclear initiative which offers optional pre-arrival notification of vessels to the BVI. The initiative is currently in the pilot stage with St.Lucia being the other Caribbean island testing the program.
Eseaclear web site

EseaClear FAQ

EseaClear information

I have been hearing more and more rumors about Scrub Island, but no official sources yet on what is going on there and whether the project is stopped or not. I certainly hope it will not stop where it is as they made an absolute mess of the island!

We just came back from the IMAX theater watching Shine A light Movie on the Rolling Stones. I am not a huge Rolling Stones Fan, but my son Chris wanted to go, so all three generations trooped off. The older members were more mesmerized then the one who says it is his favorite group! Even though it was too loud for us, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Off to gabriola Island tomorrow early, to visit, to Bazzas utter dismay, more relatives! I can hear the calendar pages tearing off the calendar quicker and quicker as it nears time to return to the boat! I have ordered just about everything that I can think that would need replacing this summer and had it shipped down, now I just have to convince my husband that i am not kidding when I say that I want a satellite dish on there!

We picked up our middle son from the airport on Saturday, it was good to see him. We have had a couple touristy days in amongst the ton of work that i have to do.
We went for a drive out to see the Mt Olympia Mountains and the assorted fowl that live down on the coast there..



I had just slightly tapped my lens while it was extended in the helicopter the other week, no more then a tap, but it did in my 18-200 lens, I have sure been missing it while it is fixed. I use it topside just about all the time.

More more birds

We went out to the Souke Pots out toward the west coast of the islands, and they were very pretty. No, I did not climb down! I would have had to come back up!!



My son is just being a goof!

Then like the little fish piggies we have been we went and found some more fish and chips for dinner down at the wharf! There was a cruise ship in and lots of people milling around.

Dinner was not so great, but my mother and I enjoyed the peanut buster parfait at Dairy Queen much more afterwards!



SwimVacation and Promenade (honourable mention only I assure you!) were written up in the Globe and Mail (Canadas National Newspaper for those of you who don't know know! They have a few weeks going out on Promenade this coming winter, with space left open, one Dec 7th to 13th and two in April. They have also teamed up with a Canadian group (for once the Canadian dollar is on the good side!) and the European market to fill these trips, and I think it is a bit like a snowball, it is getting bigger and bigger. Swim Vacation is the name and Swim Vacation is also the web name!
Here is a PDF link to the article.


The yacht still has no internet, they have gotten the royal run around. It started last Friday with them saying the system was just being rebooted and it would be up in twenty minutes. Then it was the weekend, so so much for that! Rich would phone in to talk to a technician and he would have to go through the entire story to who answered the phone before they would agree that yes, he needed a technician. I cannot even believe nor remember all the stories he has been told. It is our fault, it is their fault, they know what is wrong, they don't know what is wrong.
They then attempt to tell him it is because we are using a pyramid to broadcast throughout the boat, (the same pyramid that we bought from them not that long ago for quite a bit of money that they touted as the next great thing for broadcasting! First when it was always messing up they told us they were having problems with it and then they just simply said "we don't support it any more. Only in the islands! After being told that that was the problem they scratched around on the boat to find a computer that had a card slot and went through all hooking it up again to find out that it still does not work and to bring it in. Yeah. Right. Over festival! BUT it will give them a good chance to find out why they are now offering a FASTER CHEAPER SYSTEM THEN THE ONE WE HAVE WITH A "FREE CARD"!
I have an entire collection of internet cards from Boatphone, from over the years, They all cost, well, as much as the overpriced phones we get on island! Hence, not many posts from Lisa.
Richard did phone me all excited today as they were diving the Chikuzen (twice today I might add!) and he had on his wide angle swimming right along with the large Grouper! In fact several of them not to mention the rather large sharks! Harrummppphhh!!

I know, it has been days since I have written, but in all truth I have been working flat out trying to get together information for the beginning of August on some new programs we are doing. I am getting closer, and hope to have it all together in the next few days, so you will just have to be patient until then!
I am not even sure where to start here.
For those who remember Lasse, our Danish Gentleman who worked on the boat about 3 years ago, well, guess what! He is getting married in early August! yes, to Yoi Yoi, the Japanese girl he has been seeing on and off for many many years. I think that they are actually going to live in Denmark for awhile! Congratulations to him on that!

There was a symposium on last week to discuss oil prices, air prices, ferry service, and other things that are affecting our economy in the BVI, like elsewhere. Although I was obviously not on island, the Chamber of Commerce sent around the minutes from the meeting and the three key points i picked up on were:
1) Long Bay resort has seen a jump in their guests who are coming by ferry from St Thomas as opposed to straight into the Tortola airport rise from 2.5 % to 28%. That is an incredible number. I knew I was on the right track when I was thinking of moving the yacht down there to live! Long Bay among others, is also seeing very low occupancy rates for the off season and subsequently have laid off more then the normal number this year. The places on land seem to be suffering compared to the boating industry in the BVI. I could give them a list of reasons why, but that would not be very diplomatic...something about those in glass houses, so I will stop there.
2) There is talk about putting on later ferries to get people over to Tortola from St Thomas in the evening, as the last ones now are about 5. It is being worked on and it is a good thing. Although, someone mentioned that we could put on all the ferries we want in the world, but if they were cutting flights into St Thomas as well, it would not matter.
3) Industry and the government needs to approach alternate airlines to see about getting another carrier to pick up AA's slack. Also brief talk of our own airline...(better not, the last time we did that the one and only plane is now a great dive wreck off the Dogs!)
It was concluded that when everyone works together things can happen. ie, getting a repeal of the new proposed harbor fees and a task force formed to look at it.
Another scary statistic. When AA shifts there flights in the fall all the flights arriving and departing out of Tortola will be between 2 and 6 pm! Does not sound very encouraging on AA's part.
Someone forwarded me this picture and it is a definite oops!

In other news (I feel like a broadcaster here!) there have been reported sightings of the LIONFISH in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. They are native to the Pacific Ocean, but I believe they manage to get into the Atlantic waters after Hurricane Katrina and they have been slowly moving their way down the island chain. These babies are very beautiful, very venomous, and have not many predators. The first one that is found in these waters will be a picture on the front page of the newspaper for sure. NOAA is asking if you find one, either SCUBA or fishing, that you DO NOT return it to the water, you capture it (! that probably comes under the heading of we are trained professionals (ha) and we don't want our guests trying to do it on their own!) and they want it.

Here are two flyers on it, one for divers Lionfish SCUBA Flyer and additionally, one for the fishermen out there Lionfish Fishing Flyer
I will look forward to taking pictures of them and practicing my lionfish capturing skills, which usually means yelling for my husband!!

I thought Bazza was going to bend down and kiss the driveway where his project sat when he got back to Victoria! I asked him where he was going to fit it on the yacht and he said he was going to sleep with it! I harrumphed!!

I have no idea what this little black piece is but I suspect it is a hydraulic arm of some kind.

My aunt and uncle sent this on and I thought it was appropriate with all the bears we have seen on our trip.

I have some nice pictures of our trip around Prince Rupert and the northern part of Vancouver Island, which I will put up next entry. This is just the grab bag! My friend Janice had there boat out in North Carolina this weekend and she sent some stunning pictures! Just exactly the type of pictures I like! Reflections and sunsets!!

Great pictures Janice..

There is also some rumor going around the island, that a certain island that was full speed ahead under construction..no names, appears to have laid off there filipino and vietnames workers and sent them home. Now this is the general contractor. I have heard for a few months here that sub contractors have not been paid here. That is all I know and it is strictly from the coconut telegraph, but would be typical, get something half done, ruin the absolute look of the island and then come to a stand still.

Well I write this as we sit on the ferry that goes between Prince Rupert, up by Alaska down to Port Hardy on the Northern End of Vancouver Island. We had to get up at some awful hour this morning for the all day sightseeing trip down the Interior Passage. Only problem, as luck as the draw has it , the first 6 hours have been very cold, very wet and very foggy. Not seeing much at all, although I suppose that is probably the way it is most of the time.
We had the most spectacular 83 miles of scenery that Bazza thinks he has ever seen going up to Prince Rupert yesterday though! So I have some pictures from there, although, the camera does not do the scenery justice!

Who is that? Ah well, my father again, leading the life of leisure in the back seat! I think he has gotten used to this not driving thing on this trip! Pay back for all the chauffering he does of us around Victoria. Especiallly my husband to Home Depot!

There was a mommy and baby ducks in the pond here.

We did drive into Diana Lake, as Bazza was intrigued as there was swimming signs there. He could not imagine anyone swimming in this cold water, so he had to see. What do you think? Does it look like swimming water to you?

Some Hills

And a lake. I really like the reflections in the lake...

Ah, we are back at Prince George here! With my Aunt and Uncle just before leaving. My aunt fed us more then I feed the guests on the boat, if you can believe that!! I did not think it was possible.

Back on the road again, a little pond

We were amused feeding the Ravens. We were surprised that they are not as sleek and clean looking as what i imagined.

Some more reflections and rivers.



Now this is a very unusual picture, as every time I ask bazza if he wants me to drive some, he firmly declines. Does not care for my driving! So I am fine with that, but he actually asked me to drive this time...an entire three feet up to reach the water hose!

Here is our little lion in the mountains

The Skeena River. There were tons of fishing camps all the way along with people standing in that (chilly) water fishing.

I saw this slug which I thought was very large until my father told me that when we lived on Northern Vancouver Island they would grow to about 7 inches. This one was maybe 3 or 4.

And how bout these raccons, didn't they pose perfectly??

Na, kidding, did not see them, someone sent me the pic!
I am sure there is too much more that signifies Canada then the trains being reflected in the water! My husband tells me that we are supposed to have two moose saying "Welcome to Canada, Eh!" and has been quite disgusted that we have not managed to find him one, although we have found lots of bear that he seems to think are attack animals as well. We saw a little one yesterday with a diamond spot of white on his chest (yes, he was right on the side of the road)

We also saw Eagles, but my zoom lens broke, so I could not get any pictures!



Our trip across Alberta and BC is almost done, and I think we are all looking forward to getting back to Victoria and settling down. So we will talk to you in a few days! Nice the see the BVi is getting some weather that looks like summer there finally!