adventure

travel log // British Virgin Islands

12:03:00 PM

It is a true gift to be able to experience the beauty that is the British Virgin Islands, but it is an even greater gift to be able to harness the wind and sail these Caribbean islands.

Here it is so easy to wake up because of the promise of a beautiful day.  The feeling of passing the green, mountainous islands and sailing into a cove with the most mesmerizing gradient of blue waters is undefinable, yet it is something that happens everyday.  Even under gray skies and heavy clouds, there remains a smile and complete contentedness.  It is pure paradise.

There is nothing like the night sky, either.  Even when the luscious, natural beauty of day disappears under the night sky, the moon and stars appear leaving no time between beautiful wonders for us to look upon.  And how humbling it is to lay among friends and family and recognize how small we are.

So until next time dear Caribbean; you hold such a special place in my heart.














adventure

B.V.I. log // Day 8

6:14:00 AM

calm, blue, blissful.  those are the three words that could simply describe and summarize tonight’s anchorage: Jost Van Dyke.  rolling hills, tall green grasses that sway with the wind, and smooth currents make up the island and its surrounding sand spits. 

we left Guana early in the morning to make a quick stop in Cane Garden Bay to replenish supplies and water then continue on our way to Jost.  the strong currents and the stormy weather of the day made for a rough day of sailing and consequently made us put down the sails and turn on the engines.

we did indeed make it to Jost in one piece and we were very grateful for the refreshing stillness of the anchorage.  we went to Foxy’s Taboo for lunch then did some snorkeling and explored the Sandy Spit for a few hours afterward.  and at around 5:00pm we headed over to the Bubbly Pools with hopes that the touristy crowd would be gone. 

it is about a half mile walk to the pool once you step on land.  we spotted a few goats along the way and stopped to search for shells and look under the roots of mangrove trees.  after climbing a short, rocky hill and sliding down to a beach again, we turned to find the pool, splashing and bubbling under the golden light of the setting sun and between the glorious rocks that shot into the sky.  although very cold, the pool has some ability to relax and restore.  the ocean’s current pulls all the sitting water back out to sea only to replenish the pool with fresh waves that roar and crash into the shore.  we spent a good deal of time floating with the water and laughing as we were pulled by the current.


after showers and rest, the fam joined together again to eat delicious lemon-peppered shrimp, bread, and tortellini and smile over everything we have done so far and sadly acknowledge that we only have two more days on the boat, the islands, and the water.  we will soak in every last second with the boat, in the water, and under the sun, however, and we will continue to live presently and happily. 

(originally written on December 28, 2014)











adventure

B.V.I log // Day 7

6:04:00 AM

how lovely it is to be separated from civilization for a bit. 

today we left Anegada just as the sun had begun to rise which made for a scenic, blissful sail to Guana Island.  upon recommendation from the true owner of our boat, we sailed past Monkey Point and straight to a cove of sky blue water and white sand with just a few other boats lingering. 

the landscape was quite remote and is barely referenced in the island magazines and travel guides.  we were one of six or seven other boats upon arrival and one of four or five when we turned off the lights.

simply put, we fell in love with Guana.  although the snorkeling was not the greatest we have experienced, the serenity made up for it all.  we spent the day swimming, soaking in the sun’s rays, napping (of course), surfing during sunset, and playing Hearts around the dining table.


Guana was a place to behold.  we barely pulled out our cameras and cell phones and even books.  we paddle boarded along the coast, we climbed the rocky shoreline looking for treasurable seashells and bleached pieces of coral.  it was a day spent with people that I love, surrounded by pure nature, and acknowledging the simple happiness and bliss that comes from family, adventure, and salt water.

(originally written on December 27, 2014)











adventure

B.V.I. log // Day 6

5:54:00 AM

one day after Christmas and it feels as if it was years ago.  time passes so slowly among these tiny islands and it is almost pleasurable not knowing what day it is. 

today was a lovely mixture of laziness and adventure.  we previously decided that we would spend a second night in Anegada so that we could explore the other side of the island, do some more snorkeling, and take a break from travel. 

we slept in, welcomed the morning with tea, coffee, and omelets, and prepared the dinghy for our venture to shore. 

we grabbed a taxi that took us the six or seven miles across the mainland to the two reknowned snorkeling spots: Flash of Beauty and Loblolly.  Flash of Beauty did indeed prove its title but Loblolly’s name is completely understated.  we spotted sea turtles, sting rays, lobster, and the largest barracudas yet.  not to mention that water’s color was almost too good to be true.

we grabbed drinks and ice cream from the beach shack then headed back to the boat about four hours later.  the rest of the day was spent napping, reading, cooking, and washing up.  our rest was briefly interrupted to head back on land to do (what was supposed to be) a quick load of laundry and take a hot shower.   it. felt. so. good.

we enjoyed grilled chicken, a small salad, and fettucine alfredo for dinner followed by smores. we then migrated to the bow of the boat to lay on the trampolines and stargaze, hopping up occasionally to dance to the music coming from the local bar.


our post-dinner traditions have become a highlight of the day.  a time when we can all reflect on the day’s adventure and talk about everything and anything under the stars that captivate us so.  everyday among these islands, on the turquoise water, with my family is a good day.

(originally written on December 26, 2014)











adventure

B.V.I. log // Day 5

5:46:00 AM

merry Christmas! today was quite merry indeed.  after a lovely Christmas Eve last night, we were excited to see what Christmas Day would have in store. 

we woke up quite early so we could begin our trek over to Anegada at a decent time.  mom and dad surprised us with personalized stockings hung along the stern of the boat.  we did some gifts exchanges, drank hot cocoa, ate gingerbread, and had a lovely, relaxing morning.

soon after, we gathered more supplies on land, got rid of our trash, and motored out of the Bitter End.  as soon as we were out in the open ocean, we hoisted the sails and headed on over to Anegada.  with a decent speed, we managed to arrive in Anegada in a little over two hours.

Anegada is breathtaking.  an island that stretches for 11 miles, surrounded by natural reefs and over 300 shipwrecks, and is only 28 feet above sea level, it is the perfect location to paddleboard, snorkel, and truly relax. 

although quaint and peaceful, Anegada is well known for its simplistic beauty and we were therefore unable to get a mooring, but had to anchor instead.

we spent the rest of the afternoon swimming, walking along the white-sand beach, exploring the mainland, and paddle boarding. 

around dinner-time we crowded the kitchen, cooking pasta, baking cookies, dancing and singing.  and after the meal was cleaned up and the cookies all gone, we sat and played Rhumb Line for a couple of hours, listening to the music playing from the mainland and laughing the night away.  it was truly a merry Christmas. 


(originally written on December 25, 2014)