Our B.V.I. Adventure

Turning 32 was a lot easier thanks to the love and top-secret planning by Michael and dear friends, Richard and Louise.  Michael threw me off by taking me to the Peter Island Ferry Dock on Tortola.  (This is where he took me last year...)  While waiting on the dock, Michael snapped this side photo of me...this is what 22 weeks pregnant looks like I guess!

But the Peter Island ferry never came.  Instead, our friends Richard and Louise pulled up in their boat, Lady Sol!  What a fun surprise!  Off we went for Cooper Island; here's the crew!
Before we enjoyed a yummy lunch at Cooper Island's Beach Bar & Restaurant, they had me open my birthday presents.  I was completely blown away...Louise and Richard gave me the most beautiful teardrop earrings (see below).  They're made of the Caribbean semi-precious stone, larimar.  Gorgeous! 

And if you notice what I'm holding in my hands, an iPad2!  Michael teamed up with my parents and in-laws to surprise me with it!  He had me completely fooled...  He had been keeping me out of the guest bedroom all week, even closing the curtains so I couldn't see in the room from the porch.  Since he led me to believe the gift was large in physical scale, I didn't think there was any way he'd be able to transport it to Cooper Island.  He's so sneaky!!!

After lunch we enjoyed a nice swim and snorkel off of Cooper Island.  Louise and Richard then dropped us off at Peter Island to spend the rest of the evening.  It was a perfect birthday!  So grateful to have such loving family and friends!!!

We headed back out on the water Sunday, this time just across the Sir Francis Drake Channel to the Indians.

 This is one of our favorite snorkeling spots and it did not disappoint!
There were so many Parrot Fish, but they were a little camera shy...
We also scored a mooring just off of Norman Island and explored the caves there.  Very very cool.

After stopping off at Cooper Island for a lunch that consisted of mahi mahi sandwiches and chicken rotis, we headed for Marina Cay and Great Camanoe to visit with the Shands.  Here's our group at the iconic red phone booth:
We had the best day, and even saw a flying eagle ray on our way back to Nanny Cay! 

So after nearly two weeks of sniffling and sneezing, coughing and wheezing, Michael and I ventured out for a day on the water.  It was exactly what we needed to get over this sickness that's been ailing us lately. 

Michael wasn't sure he was going to feel like wakeboarding, but once we were out there, he got right up.  He even attempted to "high-five" a mooring ball with the board.   (Look for it about 40 seconds in...)



Louise and I went for a swim while the guys took another round on the wakeboard. This is James catching some air:
 And Graham with a hand grab:
We ended with lunch on Cooper Island, which was delightful as always.  Thanks to Louise and Richard for another great day on the water!  A day in the sun and saltwater was definitely the best way to get rid of the cold that wouldn't go away!

Tuesday was another holiday here in the BVI, so Michael and I headed to Cooper Island for the afternoon.  They don't have a ferry service, but a few dive boats go there regularly, so we caught a ride out of Hodges Marina.  I just love it over there...I blogged about my first experience at the club just last week when I went with the Shands.  We were only there for a drink, so we were excited to try out the menu.

We had a great day...the remodeled bar and deck is just lovely.  We also went snorkeling and relaxed on the beach.  We're thinking the next time we get the boat from Nanny Cay we'll have to head over there before making stops at Pirate's Bight and Willie T's.

Cheers!

The Shands were so kind to pick me up at Trellis Bay on Tuesday afternoon, Day 237.  We went out for an afternoon of snorkeling and island hopping.  Our first stop was Cooper Island.

We were last here in March on the White Squall 2.  Michael, Travis and I snorkeled the reef at Cooper, but we did not go ashore.  I sure wish we had!  The Cooper Island Beach Club is amazing!!!  They recently remodeled the club and did a fantastic job.

I am obsessed with their furniture...the media cabinet specifically.  It is made with colorful wood, distressed from the weather and upcycled in this beautiful way.  The backs of the chairs at the bar also incorporate the same wood.  You can see the tops of the chairs in the background of the photo with the drink.
That drink is a "Santiago" by the way.  Ingredients include...rum, lime juice, Sprite and bitters.  It is very similar to the Naked Lorda, but instead of Sprite, Naked Lorna calls for club soda and Stevia.

The Shands invited us to their house on Great Camanoe for dinner, so we headed back to Tortola to fetch Michael at Hodges Creek Marina once he was finished with work.   Leslie and Shae took us over to Potato Bay, which is on the north side of Camanoe.  We think it gets its name from all of the potato shaped rocks that cover the beach.  There must be thousands and thousands of these perfectly rounded rocks in all shades of gray.  Walking on top of them requires the balance of a gymnast!

Potato Bay is extremely private and serene.  It is small, maybe about 50 yards long.  What I found so unique about this beach is how the rocks abruptly stop at the water's edge.  The surface under the water is soft white sand.  {We did not have our camera with us, but Michael snapped this one with his Blackberry...you can get an idea of just how rocky the shore was...}

We snorkeled for sand dollars and watched the sun set behind Guana island.  What a way to end the day!

Huge thanks to the Shands (the Orrells and the Jacksons) for sharing the night with us!  We had a wonderful time!  

Monday was a holiday here in the BVI.  March 1 is H. Lavity Stoutt's birthday, although I read somewhere that the actual date of his birthday is the 7th.  Anyway, Stoutt was the first and longest serving Chief Minister of the BVI and everyone here has the day off, including Michael! 

Since Travis is in town, I took a vacation day as well and we were off to board the White Squall 2.