Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Sinking Ship
One of the ferries that runs from St. Thomas to Tortola and back each day ended up at the bottom of the ocean today... Here is a photo that the BVI Beacon shared on its Facebook page. The boat was pulled up onto a floating dry dock and from the reports I've read that there weren't any passengers on board, thank goodness!
This just happens to be the same boat that our friends Liz & Jeff took to Tortola last month! YIKES! I guess those life vests on the twin girls weren't so silly after all!
This just happens to be the same boat that our friends Liz & Jeff took to Tortola last month! YIKES! I guess those life vests on the twin girls weren't so silly after all!
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Tuesday, July 3, 2012
HIHO, HIHO, it's off to Necker we go!
We were invited to Necker Island on Monday to watch the first day of the Highland Spring HIHO - which is an annual windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding race. Michael competed in the HIHO last year (and placed 3rd in the SUP one design class I might add!)
The HIHO is a week long event, during which the participants stay aboard captained yachts. The days are spent racing from island to island, and the nights are spent...well, pretty much partying!
To get there, we first had to catch the North Sound Express from Trellis Bay by the airport. We met up with our friend (and Michael's co-worker) Sarah and her two precious children, Archie and Charlie. Here are the three children together on the ferry:
The ferry took us to the Bitter End Yacht Club, where we met up with the participants of the HIHO. We enjoyed a continental breakfast, complete with fresh wedges of mango that Anna Drake thoroughly enjoyed! She might be on her way to cutting two more teeth...we shall see!
We then jumped on one of the large catarmarans participating in the HIHO and headed for the shores of Necker Island. At one point while Captain Chris was tending to the anchor, Anna Drake took over at the helm.
Here's what the beach looked like from our boat.
The windsurfers and stand-up paddle boarders weren't far behind. One by one they arrived on the beach. Here is one making his way to Necker.
Once on the island, we took in the beauty of this place. One thing Sir Richard is known for is his infatuation with animals, especially exotic ones. While Michael was walking from the beach to the pool, he ran into this guy just loafing his way down the sandy path...
Fortunately this next "animal" was a wooden one because Michael and Anna Drake got on its back!
To cool off, we got in the pool. It is one of most beautiful pools...it goes on forever it seems.
Lunch was catered by the wonderful people who own CocoMaya and Baraka Point. They served up sushi, grilled chicken, a yummy salad and a sweet lemon pound cake. It was all really delicious! When it was time to go back to the Bitter End to catch our ferry, we didn't to leave. We almost missed the ferry in fact! It was pulling away as we pulled up; fortunately they saw us frantically waiving our arms in the air and turned around.
Kinda wish they hadn't...I guess we would have had to go back to Necker for the night...ha!
Once on the island, we took in the beauty of this place. One thing Sir Richard is known for is his infatuation with animals, especially exotic ones. While Michael was walking from the beach to the pool, he ran into this guy just loafing his way down the sandy path...
To cool off, we got in the pool. It is one of most beautiful pools...it goes on forever it seems.
Lunch was catered by the wonderful people who own CocoMaya and Baraka Point. They served up sushi, grilled chicken, a yummy salad and a sweet lemon pound cake. It was all really delicious! When it was time to go back to the Bitter End to catch our ferry, we didn't to leave. We almost missed the ferry in fact! It was pulling away as we pulled up; fortunately they saw us frantically waiving our arms in the air and turned around.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Michael's Tropelganger
We knew the day would come! When we would finally see Michael's tropelganger - his "tropical doppelganger." (Remember when we saw Courtney's?)
We were up in the North Sound at the Bitter End Yacht Club. And from our table where we were having breakfast, I spotted him. There were three others at the table, including Michael, who all craned their necks to see the guy driving a boat directly in front of us... They all agreed, this was most definitely Michael's tropelganger.
What do you think? Michael has been wearing a scruffy look lately which makes them resemble one another even more. Here's a photo of Michael...
We were up in the North Sound at the Bitter End Yacht Club. And from our table where we were having breakfast, I spotted him. There were three others at the table, including Michael, who all craned their necks to see the guy driving a boat directly in front of us... They all agreed, this was most definitely Michael's tropelganger.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Night on Virgin Gorda
On our recommendation, the Shands wanted to try the new restaurant on Virgin Gorda, CocoMaya. And they were kind enough to invite us to tag along! They picked us up from Trellis Bay and off we went! No offense to the BVI ferry companies, but taking the Shands' boat, Camanoe Cadillac, is much more comfortable - just look at Michael! He looks relaxed, doesn't he?
The light was so pretty as we pulled into the marina. Here's a great shot of Leslie and Shae.
We arrived at CocoMaya before our 7pm reservation and took in the stunning sunset on the beach. I love the color palette in this photo below...
The restaurant looked beautiful in the daylight, and don't those beach lounges look comfy?
Dinner was delicious! Just like we did when we went with Liz & Jeff, we ordered a variety of tapas and shared some sushi. And for dessert? We had a delicious white and dark chocolate mousse. Decadent!
After dinner, we took some photos on the beach. Here are the Shands and the Orrells!
We docked in Spanish Town. Here's Shae assisting Captain Rodney.
For a restaurant that hasn't even been open a full month, CocoMaya is doing great. The food and service live up to the cool atmosphere which is saying a lot. I guess that's why we've been three times in three weeks! Ha!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Birthday Surprise
Since my birthday fell on a Monday this year, I wasn't expecting much of a celebration - at least not one that happened on the actual day. But Michael had other ideas...
He got together with some of my friends and planned a little surprise party, which came off without a hitch despite a few near spoilers. They completely fooled me into thinking we were running an errand for a friend late in the day. The prevarication? We had to pick up a stand-up paddle board for our friend Andy. When we got to Paloma and Scott's house to get the alleged SUP board, my friends (and their babies) were all gathered at the pool, sipping champagne.
At first, when we arrived and saw my friend Lisa in the driveway I thought she was leaving. My rationale: Lisa is Scott's sister so it made sense to me that she would be at the house in the middle of the day. I said goodbye to her and figured she would just get in her car and drive off. She went with it and hopped in the car. Ha!
Then on our walk down to the house, I passed Paloma's mom and my friend Vanessa. The two looked as if they were in the middle of something, so I just waived - again not realizing Vanessa was there to attend my surprise party. My rationale: Vanessa grew up on Tortola and her family and Paloma's family are long-time friends. I figured she had some business with Paloma's mom and didn't have time to chat.
It wasn't until I was walking to the pool and I saw two more of my friends that Scott finally shouted "Happy Birthday Amelia!" It was then, and only then, I realized this was all for me! They totally got me! And we had the most fabulous time! It's hard to tell who's who, but from left that's Lisa and her baby Maisy, then Alice and her baby, Flora. Paloma and Jude are in the middle, followed by me and Anna Drake, and then Vanessa and her boy Eli are on the end.
I highly recommend a Monday afternoon swim with a glass of bubbly! Never will I complain of a Monday birthday again!
He got together with some of my friends and planned a little surprise party, which came off without a hitch despite a few near spoilers. They completely fooled me into thinking we were running an errand for a friend late in the day. The prevarication? We had to pick up a stand-up paddle board for our friend Andy. When we got to Paloma and Scott's house to get the alleged SUP board, my friends (and their babies) were all gathered at the pool, sipping champagne.
At first, when we arrived and saw my friend Lisa in the driveway I thought she was leaving. My rationale: Lisa is Scott's sister so it made sense to me that she would be at the house in the middle of the day. I said goodbye to her and figured she would just get in her car and drive off. She went with it and hopped in the car. Ha!
Then on our walk down to the house, I passed Paloma's mom and my friend Vanessa. The two looked as if they were in the middle of something, so I just waived - again not realizing Vanessa was there to attend my surprise party. My rationale: Vanessa grew up on Tortola and her family and Paloma's family are long-time friends. I figured she had some business with Paloma's mom and didn't have time to chat.
It wasn't until I was walking to the pool and I saw two more of my friends that Scott finally shouted "Happy Birthday Amelia!" It was then, and only then, I realized this was all for me! They totally got me! And we had the most fabulous time! It's hard to tell who's who, but from left that's Lisa and her baby Maisy, then Alice and her baby, Flora. Paloma and Jude are in the middle, followed by me and Anna Drake, and then Vanessa and her boy Eli are on the end.
Monkey Point
In an effort to hit all of the best BVI snorkeling spots in one weekend, we went back out on the boat with the Shands on Sunday. We picked up chicken rotis from Trellis Kitchen and enjoyed them on the porch of their house on Camanoe. I just love it over there... The most beautiful breeze hits their home in Indigo Plantation.
The gang headed for Diamond Point while Anna Drake and I hung out at the house. After spotting the largest stingray any of them had ever seen, they came back for us and we headed to Guana Island which is a private island in the BVI.
Monkey Point is on Guana's north side. The water was so incredibly flat in this protected bay.
This is a fantastic snorkeling spot. We took our time and combed over the rocks where we found some of the most fascinating creatures, including a lion fish!!! Now THAT is a first for me! I can't believe what an incredible shot Shae was able to get!
We also spotted this flounder below. He was almost completely camouflaged, but when one of our fins got too close, he started to flutter. And his eyes would turn in 360 degrees, opposite from one another! It kind of freaked us out! I did fall in love with the pattern on his back though. It was electric blue!
The sweetest part of the day happened on the way back to Tortola, when Rodney put Anna Drake in his lap and let his BVI grandbaby drive the boat! Do you think she was enjoying herself?
The gang headed for Diamond Point while Anna Drake and I hung out at the house. After spotting the largest stingray any of them had ever seen, they came back for us and we headed to Guana Island which is a private island in the BVI.
Monkey Point is on Guana's north side. The water was so incredibly flat in this protected bay.
This is a fantastic snorkeling spot. We took our time and combed over the rocks where we found some of the most fascinating creatures, including a lion fish!!! Now THAT is a first for me! I can't believe what an incredible shot Shae was able to get!
The sweetest part of the day happened on the way back to Tortola, when Rodney put Anna Drake in his lap and let his BVI grandbaby drive the boat! Do you think she was enjoying herself?
What a splendid day! Huge thanks to our Captain, Rodney! (And if you're wondering where his wife, Ginger was...she had to go back to the states for the weekend to attend the christening for her youngest grandchild.)
Oil Nut Baby
We had a few "BVI firsts" on Saturday - which is becoming increasingly rare as we creep up on our 3rd anniversary of living here.
We went boating with the Shands who have a house on Great Camanoe, and while we've done that plenty of times, we stopped at two snorkeling destinations that were new to Michael and me!
One of Ginger and Rodney's daughters, Leslie is visiting with her husband Shae. You may remember, we hung out with them during their last visit in 2010. They too have had a baby recently, but their little girl stayed back in Mississippi.
The first stop was Great Dog, where was saw some beautiful parrot fish and some harmless jelly fish. Thank goodness they didn't sting - one ended up in my bathing suit! Here is half of the crew on the boat. Leslie was missing her baby girl so she stayed with Anna Drake while the rest of us snorkeled.
Anna Drake sure was taken with Shae...or maybe it was the other way around. How cute is that?
Our next stop was Saba Rock for lunch. This tiny island pretty much consists of a restaurant and a small hotel. That's it! We had the lobster tacos and they were really good!
We also traveled beyond the North Sound on Virgin Gorda, past the Bitter End Yacht Club and Saba Rock and onto one of the most beautiful bays in all of the British Virgin Islands. Oil Nut Bay is unlike any other spot, I've ever seen.
The water is crystal clear and shallow - that's the big difference. It reminds me of the Bahamas. There are stretches of white sand, that reach from one of the big bay to the other. And where there are patches of seagrass you can find inhabited conch shells and other sea things. I found this queen conch and brought it up to the surface for this photo! It was huge!
The inside of the shell was the most beautiful shade of pink; the photo does not do it justice! We also saw a beautiful sting ray and a few sea turtles. It was stunning!
We got Anna Drake in the water and she loved it too! Thanks to Leslie and Shae for taking all of these wonderful photos... We have misplaced the cord for our underwater camera, so we haven't been able to recharge it for months now!
As you can see, it was an absolutely gorgeous day. And one, we were grateful to spend with our dear friends!!! What could tomorrow possibly hold that could top this???
We went boating with the Shands who have a house on Great Camanoe, and while we've done that plenty of times, we stopped at two snorkeling destinations that were new to Michael and me!
One of Ginger and Rodney's daughters, Leslie is visiting with her husband Shae. You may remember, we hung out with them during their last visit in 2010. They too have had a baby recently, but their little girl stayed back in Mississippi.
The first stop was Great Dog, where was saw some beautiful parrot fish and some harmless jelly fish. Thank goodness they didn't sting - one ended up in my bathing suit! Here is half of the crew on the boat. Leslie was missing her baby girl so she stayed with Anna Drake while the rest of us snorkeled.
Anna Drake sure was taken with Shae...or maybe it was the other way around. How cute is that?
Our next stop was Saba Rock for lunch. This tiny island pretty much consists of a restaurant and a small hotel. That's it! We had the lobster tacos and they were really good!
We also traveled beyond the North Sound on Virgin Gorda, past the Bitter End Yacht Club and Saba Rock and onto one of the most beautiful bays in all of the British Virgin Islands. Oil Nut Bay is unlike any other spot, I've ever seen.
The water is crystal clear and shallow - that's the big difference. It reminds me of the Bahamas. There are stretches of white sand, that reach from one of the big bay to the other. And where there are patches of seagrass you can find inhabited conch shells and other sea things. I found this queen conch and brought it up to the surface for this photo! It was huge!
The inside of the shell was the most beautiful shade of pink; the photo does not do it justice! We also saw a beautiful sting ray and a few sea turtles. It was stunning!
We got Anna Drake in the water and she loved it too! Thanks to Leslie and Shae for taking all of these wonderful photos... We have misplaced the cord for our underwater camera, so we haven't been able to recharge it for months now!
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