Sailing in the British Virgin Islands

[G-Man]

Just got back from a 10 day sailing trip in the British Virgin Islands.  A good friend of mine is an avid sailor and invited Cher and I to join him and a few others sailing in and around the islands.  We chartered a 51 foot sailboat and headed out from the largest BVI, Tortola, and visited the others over the next week and change.  We had the time of our lives hiking, snorkeling, sailing, eating, drinking, and laughing.

One night, on the beach, sitting in the one and only dive bar, with tacky christmas lights hanging everywhere, graffiti on the walls, really great food and a drink called the Pain Killer, I looked out into the harbor at the 12 sailboats anchored out there and realized how lucky I was.  I was having the time of my life with my beautiful wife, and about 30 other people who got to that place the same way we did, on a sailboat, in the middle of the Caribbean Sea.  There's no other way to get to that cheesy, wonderful spot.









Captain Mike






Red is Definitely my color!






See Anyone else on this beach in the middle of Caribbean?  Neither did we.  Amazing!!!




Wonderful Characters Everywhere


The Crew




Owned by a Harley Davidson Dealer in Colorado


Where we ordered this $48 Pizza Pie.  Topped with lobster, scallops, shrimp, crab, and garlic.  Worth every penny






Well Trimmed


That's us with the blue top


Un-zoomed

[BF]

Sounds like a trip of a lifetime.   

We also have people around here that look like that.  We call them urban campers or bridge trolls.  

[eric in md]

im so jealious, looks like a great time opps awesome time was had

[Oss]

so thats why you didnt answer the phone   

you was living large !

Didnt miss anything but a few blizzards and ice storms

Welcome back

[Kep]

Did not know that Tommy Chong was juggling flaming torches in the Virgin Islands ??

[Jess from VA]

Thanks for sharing Gary.

I grew up sailing on the Great Lakes, and have been down there several times, always chartering a sailing boat for at least a day.  Chartered a big motor sailor in the Aegean off Turkey, and rented sailboats out of Miami, San Diego and Key Wierd too.  The sun gives me cancer so I have to grease and cover up, but it's all good.  Been a few years and I miss it (esp in February).

Nothing finer than cruising noise-free on a nice breeze thru clear waters with an umbrella drink or 12 with friends.  Har matey. 

[Pepmyster]

Thanks for sharing the great photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bassman]

Fantastic !  What a great trip - thanks for sharing !  I was down in that "area" about three weeks ago and had a chance to visit a couple of those places also.....Baths, Soggy Dollar (Painkillers) and a nice little place for lunch on Cooper Island.  We stayed on St Thomas and did a one day sail on the "Bad Kitty" which included the above mentioned stops as well as a couple of snorkels along the way.  Yours, by far, is the ultimate way to visit that area - especially if you are a sailor or diver.  Charter out of the West End on Tortola?  Moorings?


http://www.soggydollar.com/webcam.aspx

[G-Man]

Fantastic !  What a great trip - thanks for sharing !  I was down in that "area" about three weeks ago and had a chance to visit a couple of those places also.....Baths, Soggy Dollar (Painkillers) and a nice little place for lunch on Cooper Island.  We stayed on St Thomas and did a one day sail on the "Bad Kitty" which included the above mentioned stops as well as a couple of snorkels along the way.  Yours, by far, is the ultimate way to visit that area - especially if you are a sailor or diver.  Charter out of the West End on Tortola?  Moorings?


http://www.soggydollar.com/webcam.aspx

We missed each other by a week!?!?!?!?!  We had a great day in Jost Van Dyke.  We were at the Soggy Dollar (we moored on the the other side where the police dept. was and taxi'd over to Soggy).  That place was GREAT for people watching.  We met folks from every continent.  Never did get that ring on the hook but we watched this dread hook it every time.  Then we partied back on the other side.  Everything was closed except that cheesy dive all the way at the end.  One of the best days in 50 years.

We headed out from Roadtown.  Right, the moorings. 

[Disco]

Sounds like a great trip, Gary.      Brings back lots of memories. 

The Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. 

[G-Man]

Sounds like a great trip, Gary.      Brings back lots of memories. 

The Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. 

Awesome place, the Bitter End.  That's where that killer red boat in the pics was tied up.  We tied up to one of mooring balls in the harbor and enjoyed their facilities, especially the showers (fresh water is a premium on the boat so we took advantage everywhere we could).  We hiked up to the ridge on that island and around to the other side.  Very challenging for us landlubbers.  Wanted to book a fishing trip while we were there but was too late.  Next time!   

[bigguy]

Man, you are living my fantasy.

[Robert]

 

[sandy]

I've sailed there four times on charter. Now my besty lives next door on St John and I visit him every summer. We still go boating/snorkeling. I love it down there.