Sunday, November 9. 2008
On to Willy T's and the next charter group!
We seemed to have a lot of work to do for turnaround considering we had someone in to clean the exterior and the interior of the yacht! I downloaded all my weekly shows and made it through about two of them before falling asleep. This morning was a rush as well, as I had to go get quite a few supplies that did not show up in my food order, but at least it is easier with a vehicle! I took the car to town and the guys brought the boat down to Village Cay, as we were picking up the guests there... By the time the boat arrived I had the laundry from turnaround, a cart of groceries, lots of luggage and guests all gathered up and waiting on the shore!
I thought my "boys" looked quite nice in matching yellow!
Most of this group had been on the boat about 9 years ago. I was struggling to put faces and names together even after having looked at pictures from the long ago trip on here! Hours into the charter though it is all coming back. There seemed to be quite a few "mishaps" the last time they were on board, from rope burns, to corneal scratches, to guests falling in the engine room to A/C not working very well, surprising they came back!
They made on of their members where a sign that said that he would not fall on the boat this time as last time he not only fell GETTING ON to the boat, but also fell into the engine room! From the cockpit! Don't ask why the engine room covers were off in the cockpit. He said I was a great nurse though and came running up with a dirty dish towel to stop the bleeding! (I don't think I ever put medical smarts on my resume. My idea of medical training is to scream loudly for my husband!)
We had lunch underway while sailing down toward Willy T's on Norman Island...
Some, could not quite figure out whether they did not feel well from the sailing or from the very late night at Le Cabanon the evening before getting on the yacht!
After a snorkel at the Caves we went around to anchor behind Willy T's and all our guests, were promptly rewarded with groups of men and women jumping naked off the top. No jumping must have fell by the wayside somewhat.. Always nice when we can provide nude entertainment for our guests (without it being the crew!!)
These guests tell me the last time they were on was just after a boat show and a couple days before "left hand Lenny". They also said that there was Grahame, Me, my son Chad and his friend Chris (who were the entertainment department I understand), Scott, (as dive master) and the first couple days also my sister Sydney was on board, who at that time was running the office for me in the states! HOLY COW! I had 6 crew on here at the time!!!! I am sure that was not a profitable time!!!!
I seemed to have a hard time getting them to the dinner table tonight, so one of them started without them.
I eventually got most, but one was a soldier missing in action! (I am sure it was seasickness, not being hungover!)
You know it is going to be an interesting week when they are comfortable enough to start wearing napkin rings for earrings on the first night!
Followed by straight into the games of a drinking variety...time for me to go to bed! Manana!!
PS: I finally this past Thursday managed to get my funds released from the credit card that I closed down. It only took 50 days!
I thought my "boys" looked quite nice in matching yellow!
Most of this group had been on the boat about 9 years ago. I was struggling to put faces and names together even after having looked at pictures from the long ago trip on here! Hours into the charter though it is all coming back. There seemed to be quite a few "mishaps" the last time they were on board, from rope burns, to corneal scratches, to guests falling in the engine room to A/C not working very well, surprising they came back!
They made on of their members where a sign that said that he would not fall on the boat this time as last time he not only fell GETTING ON to the boat, but also fell into the engine room! From the cockpit! Don't ask why the engine room covers were off in the cockpit. He said I was a great nurse though and came running up with a dirty dish towel to stop the bleeding! (I don't think I ever put medical smarts on my resume. My idea of medical training is to scream loudly for my husband!)
We had lunch underway while sailing down toward Willy T's on Norman Island...
Some, could not quite figure out whether they did not feel well from the sailing or from the very late night at Le Cabanon the evening before getting on the yacht!
After a snorkel at the Caves we went around to anchor behind Willy T's and all our guests, were promptly rewarded with groups of men and women jumping naked off the top. No jumping must have fell by the wayside somewhat.. Always nice when we can provide nude entertainment for our guests (without it being the crew!!)
These guests tell me the last time they were on was just after a boat show and a couple days before "left hand Lenny". They also said that there was Grahame, Me, my son Chad and his friend Chris (who were the entertainment department I understand), Scott, (as dive master) and the first couple days also my sister Sydney was on board, who at that time was running the office for me in the states! HOLY COW! I had 6 crew on here at the time!!!! I am sure that was not a profitable time!!!!
I seemed to have a hard time getting them to the dinner table tonight, so one of them started without them.
I eventually got most, but one was a soldier missing in action! (I am sure it was seasickness, not being hungover!)
You know it is going to be an interesting week when they are comfortable enough to start wearing napkin rings for earrings on the first night!
Followed by straight into the games of a drinking variety...time for me to go to bed! Manana!!
PS: I finally this past Thursday managed to get my funds released from the credit card that I closed down. It only took 50 days!
Great Harbour, Peter Island
Guess I better finish off the blog from this charter week so I can get onto the next one! We obviously saved the best fishing for last, as we had quite an exciting night. A few tarpon were hooked, but none landed and I had already been in bed for awhile when I was told I should come with my camera. That always means something big to me! It was a Reef Shark! They just about had him at the boat by the time I arrived...
I just keep on thinking when I see the guys with these toothy creatures on deck that they are going to lose a toe! (nothing else is long enough I am sure to get caught, just a toe!!)
Bazza was doing the complicated task of trying to let the shark free while holding his towel up at the same time. We were all giggling about that. Second popular item of clothes on the boat after pajamas are towels!! We just get larger ones as us and our guests get...older
All else were at a respectable distance with their toes right out of the way...
The next day was an early start, to get people back to Road Harbour to catch ferries. We had a new captain as well! John we had put to work the last couple days quite a lot barbecuing and helming...He seemed to stay away from the dishes though and also thinks, like me, that his working conditions should include Satellite TV!
I love this picture of Amy going on the mats watching the harbour come up!
We sent them all on their way to the airport only to have the airport close because of a small plane that crash landed. I did not hear about this until last night and the news online said that a lot of people had been stranded at the airport for hours and rerouted over night. Since I never heard from our guests I thought they managed to get out ok, which they did, just a longer day!
So, once again the bi annual vacation comes to an end, but a good week was had by all. I remembered what sore feet were about 2 days into the week. You lie in bed at night and your feet throb in and out all night long! Takes a few weeks for your feet to get over being bruised!...and I don't have nearly enough time to socialize now either!
They left some nice comments in our guest book, and we were on a flurry to get cleaned up and turned around for our next charter, a short 24 hours later...
Jim and I had a wonderfully relaxing week...amazing how you can slow down after keeping such a hectic pace at home...and how good that feels! Thank you for accomodating our special "food" allergies and needs. You did a great job and the food was delicious. We always looked forward to the bell ringing for mealtime. We appreciate all your special efforts and hard work. We became attached to the boat and especially the crew after 5 days...We hope to be back LINDA AND JIM
Well the fourth trip was as good as the first! The days just fly by so fast- great diving, food, drinks and friends. Thank you for all you do to accomodate all ten of us. We loved having Simeon back, our "Dive Nazi" he's the best! Best of luck with your season and we hope to see you again in 2010 JOHN AND AMY
Wow! After 4 times, you never cease to amaze us! Each time is better and better. We love you all and sharing your home for a week is fabulous. The diving, the food, happy hours and bar hopping. You make every minute special. This is the trip all of our "other" friends are envious of! Simeon, sorry 'bout all the jabbing, but its just like having the ole crew back together again. See you all in 2010 TERRY AND JANET
Thanks for a wonderful week. Once again Kathleen and i had a great time. The SCUBA was great (once Kathleen figured out how to get her gear together) The food was wonderful (the diet starts tomorrow) and relaxing time with friends can't be beat. We look forward to coming back in 2 years when our photos from this trip will seem like pictures from our youthful days once again. Have a great season. SCOTT AND KATHLEEN
Another wonderful week. Your knowledge and guidance always sets the scene for fun days, day after day. As a matter of fact, a week vacation feels more like a two week! The hospitality and atmosphere make it easy to unwind quickly and adopt the island ways. Or was that the painkillers? Thanks so much for everything! JENNIFER AND BILL
I just keep on thinking when I see the guys with these toothy creatures on deck that they are going to lose a toe! (nothing else is long enough I am sure to get caught, just a toe!!)
Bazza was doing the complicated task of trying to let the shark free while holding his towel up at the same time. We were all giggling about that. Second popular item of clothes on the boat after pajamas are towels!! We just get larger ones as us and our guests get...older
All else were at a respectable distance with their toes right out of the way...
The next day was an early start, to get people back to Road Harbour to catch ferries. We had a new captain as well! John we had put to work the last couple days quite a lot barbecuing and helming...He seemed to stay away from the dishes though and also thinks, like me, that his working conditions should include Satellite TV!
I love this picture of Amy going on the mats watching the harbour come up!
We sent them all on their way to the airport only to have the airport close because of a small plane that crash landed. I did not hear about this until last night and the news online said that a lot of people had been stranded at the airport for hours and rerouted over night. Since I never heard from our guests I thought they managed to get out ok, which they did, just a longer day!
So, once again the bi annual vacation comes to an end, but a good week was had by all. I remembered what sore feet were about 2 days into the week. You lie in bed at night and your feet throb in and out all night long! Takes a few weeks for your feet to get over being bruised!...and I don't have nearly enough time to socialize now either!
They left some nice comments in our guest book, and we were on a flurry to get cleaned up and turned around for our next charter, a short 24 hours later...
Jim and I had a wonderfully relaxing week...amazing how you can slow down after keeping such a hectic pace at home...and how good that feels! Thank you for accomodating our special "food" allergies and needs. You did a great job and the food was delicious. We always looked forward to the bell ringing for mealtime. We appreciate all your special efforts and hard work. We became attached to the boat and especially the crew after 5 days...We hope to be back LINDA AND JIM
Well the fourth trip was as good as the first! The days just fly by so fast- great diving, food, drinks and friends. Thank you for all you do to accomodate all ten of us. We loved having Simeon back, our "Dive Nazi" he's the best! Best of luck with your season and we hope to see you again in 2010 JOHN AND AMY
Wow! After 4 times, you never cease to amaze us! Each time is better and better. We love you all and sharing your home for a week is fabulous. The diving, the food, happy hours and bar hopping. You make every minute special. This is the trip all of our "other" friends are envious of! Simeon, sorry 'bout all the jabbing, but its just like having the ole crew back together again. See you all in 2010 TERRY AND JANET
Thanks for a wonderful week. Once again Kathleen and i had a great time. The SCUBA was great (once Kathleen figured out how to get her gear together) The food was wonderful (the diet starts tomorrow) and relaxing time with friends can't be beat. We look forward to coming back in 2 years when our photos from this trip will seem like pictures from our youthful days once again. Have a great season. SCOTT AND KATHLEEN
Another wonderful week. Your knowledge and guidance always sets the scene for fun days, day after day. As a matter of fact, a week vacation feels more like a two week! The hospitality and atmosphere make it easy to unwind quickly and adopt the island ways. Or was that the painkillers? Thanks so much for everything! JENNIFER AND BILL
Saturday, November 8. 2008
Diving on the RMS Rhone Salt Island
After our evening in the construction site that is Money Bay, I think we were all a little sad. For the guests as well, it was a bit of paradise lost! More fun to come though, I was surprised to look out the galley hatch and see the anchors coming up by hand...
You may ask why the anchors were coming up by hand, and a good guess would be windlass problems, but that would be wrong. the construction has changed the ecology of the Bay so much, it was absolutely choaked with green algae that built up all over our chain just over night!
We did a motor sail up to the RHONE to go for our last dive on there, and in the group jumped.
They did not expect to see me down there, as I had not mentioned I was going in, but I wanted to get a few pictures. Here is the condenser...
and a nice little file fish...
a nice hog fish..
Mostly I felt like a photographer on a cruise line as I waited at the exit to all the swim throughs to get pictures!
Here are some nice fish...
And the SimSim I think wanted to give me other fingers, not the ones he had up here!
The girls were all nice and waved...
The couples held hands and i took pictures
A shot of one of the anchors
I quite giggle as we see the dive guide in the back ground sitting patiently in the background keeping an eye on all his baby ducks!
Then it was over to Deadmans Bay on Peter Island for a couple hours beach and bar time. We had talked about staying there last night, but up by the beach I was getting a lot of flies from the dump across the island and this year I have decided that I will not stay in the anchorages that/when have the bad fly problems as it just drives us all crazy. Plus there is too many other good anchorages around!!! Off we went to Great Harbour around the corner and we had no flies! It was slide show night and we had pictures from the last 3-4 trips the group had done on the boat so we all piled in the saloon to watch those....
We had another birthday tonight, a young lady turning 29! (hmmmm)
I had made them nice homemade buns yesterday which they loved and this morning, I ran out of time and gave them store bought buns for their burgers at lunch, that we all thought were horrible. To make up for it I made homemade vanilla AND chocolate ice cream for dinner tonight... Not sure it totally made up for it but the ice cream was good anyways!
You may ask why the anchors were coming up by hand, and a good guess would be windlass problems, but that would be wrong. the construction has changed the ecology of the Bay so much, it was absolutely choaked with green algae that built up all over our chain just over night!
We did a motor sail up to the RHONE to go for our last dive on there, and in the group jumped.
They did not expect to see me down there, as I had not mentioned I was going in, but I wanted to get a few pictures. Here is the condenser...
and a nice little file fish...
a nice hog fish..
Mostly I felt like a photographer on a cruise line as I waited at the exit to all the swim throughs to get pictures!
Here are some nice fish...
And the SimSim I think wanted to give me other fingers, not the ones he had up here!
The girls were all nice and waved...
The couples held hands and i took pictures
A shot of one of the anchors
I quite giggle as we see the dive guide in the back ground sitting patiently in the background keeping an eye on all his baby ducks!
Then it was over to Deadmans Bay on Peter Island for a couple hours beach and bar time. We had talked about staying there last night, but up by the beach I was getting a lot of flies from the dump across the island and this year I have decided that I will not stay in the anchorages that/when have the bad fly problems as it just drives us all crazy. Plus there is too many other good anchorages around!!! Off we went to Great Harbour around the corner and we had no flies! It was slide show night and we had pictures from the last 3-4 trips the group had done on the boat so we all piled in the saloon to watch those....
We had another birthday tonight, a young lady turning 29! (hmmmm)
I had made them nice homemade buns yesterday which they loved and this morning, I ran out of time and gave them store bought buns for their burgers at lunch, that we all thought were horrible. To make up for it I made homemade vanilla AND chocolate ice cream for dinner tonight... Not sure it totally made up for it but the ice cream was good anyways!
Thursday, November 6. 2008
Money Bay, Norman Island
It has been another busy 24 hours on this charter yacht. When the guests went to the Soggy Dollar Bay, some of the elderly crew members took the opportunity for a cat nap!
The group reappeared with dozens of empty plastic painkiller cups just at sunset. They said we could forget cocktails and just get them food, but they were enjoying themselves in the water so much, we just gave them cocktails in the water instead! These two pictures have had nothing done to them, they were just taken with two different cameras. It was so beautiful out that I wanted to snap picture after picture.
Then there appeared to be a dancing party before dinner, with some of my "better then bushwhacker drinks"
And I have to put up more sunset pictures as it was just so beautiful.
After the painkillers and the tequila shots, they look like they are going to crash here at dinner, but they rallied and all went to Foxy's for a few hours last night and a good time was had by all.
Today things were moving a little slow, but they did rally by the time we arrived at the Indians for a dive. Then, some place I hate going anymore, around to Money Bay where this group has always loved, but the places natural beauty has been ruined forever.
We anchored among the breakwaters.
The beach has been totally destroyed, and there is tons of green algae in the water from the digging up process. No more sand dollars here for me!
The guests were in about the same position as last night though, except for this time they had chairs along with their cocktails in the water!
I went up to take pictures of the Pelicans
and unbeknownst to me, my husband was taking pictures of me!
We finally caught a fish that was NOT a barracuda ( and only lost one lure today, I believe!) Here is our Tuna
and two hours later this is what our tuna looked like! Apparently it was very good!!!
The group reappeared with dozens of empty plastic painkiller cups just at sunset. They said we could forget cocktails and just get them food, but they were enjoying themselves in the water so much, we just gave them cocktails in the water instead! These two pictures have had nothing done to them, they were just taken with two different cameras. It was so beautiful out that I wanted to snap picture after picture.
Then there appeared to be a dancing party before dinner, with some of my "better then bushwhacker drinks"
And I have to put up more sunset pictures as it was just so beautiful.
After the painkillers and the tequila shots, they look like they are going to crash here at dinner, but they rallied and all went to Foxy's for a few hours last night and a good time was had by all.
Today things were moving a little slow, but they did rally by the time we arrived at the Indians for a dive. Then, some place I hate going anymore, around to Money Bay where this group has always loved, but the places natural beauty has been ruined forever.
We anchored among the breakwaters.
The beach has been totally destroyed, and there is tons of green algae in the water from the digging up process. No more sand dollars here for me!
The guests were in about the same position as last night though, except for this time they had chairs along with their cocktails in the water!
I went up to take pictures of the Pelicans
and unbeknownst to me, my husband was taking pictures of me!
We finally caught a fish that was NOT a barracuda ( and only lost one lure today, I believe!) Here is our Tuna
and two hours later this is what our tuna looked like! Apparently it was very good!!!
Roadtown Fast Ferry to provide 9:00 PM Ferry to Tortola from Red Hook!
Wednesday, November 5. 2008
Sailing down to Jost
Good thing we had air conditioning last night tied stern too in Muskmelon Bay! It was very still. We spent all morning in the Bay, there was first a dive (including a crew member running out of air and having to guide the dive from on top of the water!. Said crew member said he could not blame anyone else as he did not check his tank as he filled it himself...) to say that the rest of us had a good chuckle over that would be an understatement! They watched a Nurse Shark for awhile...
Then it was onto Banana Boating
And then Predatoring...wait that is not predatoring, that is attempting to get on the predator! Some guests are just getting a little long in the tooth for these things I guess!
However, Bazza seemed to be relaxing enjoying the show!
Of course everyone else was quite amused watching them from afar as well, margaritas safely in hand...
We wanted to do a spinnaker run down to Jost, but there was NO wind, and i mean NO wind. Flat as can be. And warm! So we motored slowly and tried our luck at fishing (ha! The crew put the lines in the water, the guests had a good two hour nap is what happened!!) No fish either, not even a barracuda. The bait balls were out in full force which meant the birds were dive bombing everywhere...
I love this blue chattel house up on the hill at White Bay, seems like a place I would like.
All the nav buoys on the west side of the Bay are missing, so we picked our way in.. All our toys and kayaks are very colorful!
Although some guests say that it was perfect hiding underneath from the sun on the way down.
The guests have all gone now to Soggy Dollar and etc, Soggy Dollars in hand, the day boats are just leaving back to the USVI, and we are having a quick clean of the boat before getting cocktails and dinner ready. I imagine that won't be happening until after a trip into Foxys though as well! Here is White Bay today, I wonder why all the palm trees are yellow on the bottom? It cannot be from lack of rain!!??!!!
Then it was onto Banana Boating
And then Predatoring...wait that is not predatoring, that is attempting to get on the predator! Some guests are just getting a little long in the tooth for these things I guess!
However, Bazza seemed to be relaxing enjoying the show!
Of course everyone else was quite amused watching them from afar as well, margaritas safely in hand...
We wanted to do a spinnaker run down to Jost, but there was NO wind, and i mean NO wind. Flat as can be. And warm! So we motored slowly and tried our luck at fishing (ha! The crew put the lines in the water, the guests had a good two hour nap is what happened!!) No fish either, not even a barracuda. The bait balls were out in full force which meant the birds were dive bombing everywhere...
I love this blue chattel house up on the hill at White Bay, seems like a place I would like.
All the nav buoys on the west side of the Bay are missing, so we picked our way in.. All our toys and kayaks are very colorful!
Although some guests say that it was perfect hiding underneath from the sun on the way down.
The guests have all gone now to Soggy Dollar and etc, Soggy Dollars in hand, the day boats are just leaving back to the USVI, and we are having a quick clean of the boat before getting cocktails and dinner ready. I imagine that won't be happening until after a trip into Foxys though as well! Here is White Bay today, I wonder why all the palm trees are yellow on the bottom? It cannot be from lack of rain!!??!!!
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