Time in the BVI

After arriving in the BVI and the usual check-in process, we decided to stay at Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor for a night.  We had been in contact with Dream Yacht Charters, our brokers for the boat and soon to be yacht management company.  In fact, we have been in very regular contact with them since leaving France, trying to get "punchlist" items resolved.  We fully expected that they would be ready for us, and ably to quickly resolve things for us.  However, this does not seem to be the case.  i will reserve further comment on this issue until we have some resolution. 

So while we wait, we have taken a couple of days to re-visit some of our favorite BVI haunts and see how they look "post-Irma".

Leverick Bay

We spent a night on the dock at Leverick bay in some quite "blustery conditions" - definitely not the ideal place to be.  However, things around the dock were pretty much back to normal and up and running.  Michael Bean is still doing his pirate show at the beach bar etc.  and it was fun to join his ever-corny Pirate jokes and songs.

The r0um was flowing and the crowd had a good time.

Capt. Ron blows the Conch

Our very own Captain Ron was called upon to blow the Conch and his years of trumpet-playing paid off with an impressive and long note.

The  next morning we moved on, being glad to get off the dock.  We decided to take a trip around the area of the Bitter End and Saba Rock.  OMG - the landscape has changed.  I thought I had taken pictures, but there was really nothing to see!   The Bitter end resort area is gone - really gone.  I guess they have moved ,pst rubble and remains, because it has simply gone.  Saba rock had a crane on a barge working on recovery.  There were some shells of the structures, but that was about it.  As we left, we came across a couple of familiar boats anchred in the Bay.  New friends on "One Life" that recently completed the ARC, adn we also saw S/V Distant Shores III - famed by the TV sailing/travel program called Distant Shores.

Scrub Island

We headed back to Scrub Island - the base location for DYC and spent the night on their dock.  Unfortunately, and despite scheduling time to see them, they were "too busy" to  do anything but visually look at our punchlist issues.  As I stated previously, I will reserve further comment until later.  The next morning, we headed over to Jost Van Dyke, staying in Little Harbor.

We had head that Sydney's Peace and Love would not be re-opening, but are very happy to report that both Sydneys and Harris's are back up and running, with Strawberry (owner of Sydney's) and Cynthia (owner of Harris's), both in full spirit and seemingly doing well.  This was just great to see and I am sure it has taken them a lot of effort to get back to this stage.

Cynthia and the crew

USVI - Christmas Bay

Entering USVI

We have just made a quick trip to the USVI - Christmas Bay for a crew transfer.  We met new friends Joe and Mandy on SV Kuma Too out of Dunedin, Fl.  They were looking for crew to take their boat home with them, adn Austin volunteered.  This will be a great experience for him to sail a different boat (47 ft Leopard) and work with other sailors.  So last night we made the transfer, being sad to see him leave us, but happy that he gets a new experience.  I am sure he is ready to spend some time with people closer to his age.  See you soon Autin - miss you already!