Then you simply must spend some time at White Bay, Jost Van Dyke in The British Virgin Islands!
There are so many things that are so unique about this very popular place.
Sailors particularly like it for a number of reasons;
First of all, it's well protected from the sea by a reef running straight across the entrance, broken only by 2 small cuts that allow entrance to the pristine waters on the inside. We've quite often heard comments from our guests like, "Hey, this is like anchoring in a swimming pool!". On a sunny day here, the water is that unbelievably pure tourquoise that you see in the ads.
Another reason they like it is because it's shallow, and the bottom is deep sand (the very best for secure anchoring) all of which means you don't need much chain out in order to have your anchor well set.
The bay is divided in two by an outcropping of rock, gorgeous white sand beaches on both sides.
Are you looking for real action, great live reggae music (sometimes pretty loud), and fabulous tropical drinks? Then anchor on the west side and visit The Soggy Dollar Bar.
If you are looking for peace and quiet and just a lazy day lounging on the beach, sipping on your pina colada, then you want to set yourself up just outside Ivan's Stress-free Bar on the east side.
A word of advice: If you plan a visit, especially if it's a beautiful day (and it usually is!) and if it's on the weekend, then get there as early as you can... because like I said, it is VERY POPULAR.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Booking by the cabin
Have you ever thought about how great it would be to take off on a private yacht and sail, carefree, through the incredibly clear waters of the Caribbean with your own captain and chef at you beckon call?
Well, maybe you've already checked out charter boats on the web, and perhaps found out that this is NOT an inexpensive vacation... so you dropped the idea. Or, maybe you tried to put one of these vacations together with another couple or two in order to make it more affordable and ran into a co-ordinating problem, where you just couldn't find a week that suited the other couples.
Well, don't give up on that idea, because this is a vacation you'll be talking about for the rest of your life!
It's all about the terrific sailing, the beautiful sunsets, the enchanting sounds of reggae music from the many beach bars, the white sand beachs and awesome snorkelling. And there IS a way to make it much easier and more affordable.
It's called Cabin Booking.
Now you might be thinking, "What if I don't like the other guests? Good question!
First of all, the charter companies are not stupid... they want you to come back. So, they are careful about the guests they put together. Also (and we know this through personal experience), the people that are drawn to this type of vacation are most usually like-minded, adventurous types who like a little excitement in thier lives. So, the result is that lots of good friendships develop while on board.
And charter companies know about the co-ordination problem... especially since we all seem to live busier lives all the time. So more and more of them are offering Cabin Booking.
It's a great way to go, because you're far more apt to get the time slot you want... and at a price that you can easily live with!
Well, maybe you've already checked out charter boats on the web, and perhaps found out that this is NOT an inexpensive vacation... so you dropped the idea. Or, maybe you tried to put one of these vacations together with another couple or two in order to make it more affordable and ran into a co-ordinating problem, where you just couldn't find a week that suited the other couples.
Well, don't give up on that idea, because this is a vacation you'll be talking about for the rest of your life!
It's all about the terrific sailing, the beautiful sunsets, the enchanting sounds of reggae music from the many beach bars, the white sand beachs and awesome snorkelling. And there IS a way to make it much easier and more affordable.
It's called Cabin Booking.
Now you might be thinking, "What if I don't like the other guests? Good question!
First of all, the charter companies are not stupid... they want you to come back. So, they are careful about the guests they put together. Also (and we know this through personal experience), the people that are drawn to this type of vacation are most usually like-minded, adventurous types who like a little excitement in thier lives. So, the result is that lots of good friendships develop while on board.
And charter companies know about the co-ordination problem... especially since we all seem to live busier lives all the time. So more and more of them are offering Cabin Booking.
It's a great way to go, because you're far more apt to get the time slot you want... and at a price that you can easily live with!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Grenadines
Ida and I believe this island chain to be one of the most beautiful areas in the whole Caribbean!
The Grenadines is a chain of over 600 islands in the Windwards, lying between the north end of St. Vincent and the south end of Grenada.
The whole area is well known for it's crystal clear waters and superb diving and snorkelling sites.
I will touch on just a few of the major ones here that we know.
Mustique, one of the more popular islands that we visited, is also one of the wealthiest, and has, over the years, attracted a number of celebrities: Bill Gates, Amy Winehouse, Noel Gallagher, Princess Margaret, Mick Jagger, Bryan Adams, Shania Twain, Kate Moss, David Duchovny, Tea Leoni, David Bowie, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugh Grant, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Pierce Brosnan, Alex Beard, Jeremy Clarkson and Nigella Lawson. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip made private visits to Mustique in 1966, 1977, and 1985.
One of our very favorite islands is Bequia. It is the second largest island and it is held by some historians that the famous Captain Edward Teach had his base there. The opening shot of the movie Blackbeard, Pirate of the Caribbean, made by the BBC actually displays a replica of his first ship off the coast of Bequia in the St. Vincent passage. According to local legend, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was not only Capt. Edward Teach's base, but also Sir Francis Drake's from where he planned his attacks on the Spanish admiralty.
Another of our favourites is Union Island, a part of the nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
It is the southernmost island of the Grenadines and lies 90 kilometers southwest of Barbados, within view of the islands of Carriacou and the mainland of Grenada, which lie directly south.
The most extensive and well-developed coral reef complexes in St. Vincent & the Grenadines occur on the shallow shelves around the windward side.
Whenever I think of this island, a funny story always comes to mind.
Several years ago, I was on my way to check in at customs there, along with a friend of mine in his dinghy. As we pulled up to the dock, a young lad took our line and said that he would look after our dinghy while we checked in. Brent said, "No, thank you very much". The young lad then made his mistake. He said, "Well, you never know what will happen to your dinghy while you're away". At this point Brent, who just happened to be an ex-NFL player, slowly rose to his full 6'5" and said, "Don't worry...NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THIS DINGHY". This had much more than it's intended effect as the poor lad quietly shrunk into the background.
Most of these islands are fairly poor, and so there are many of these 'boat boys' as we call them, looking to make some pocket change in any way they can. They're mostly good kids and cruisers understand this, so are typically quite generous with them. The main thing to remember though is that if you see one you like, appoint him for your vessel and then ask for his name. That way, when other boat boys approach you, you simply say, 'Sammy' is our boat boy... and they will respectfully leave you alone... no argument.
The Grenadines is a chain of over 600 islands in the Windwards, lying between the north end of St. Vincent and the south end of Grenada.
The whole area is well known for it's crystal clear waters and superb diving and snorkelling sites.
I will touch on just a few of the major ones here that we know.
Mustique, one of the more popular islands that we visited, is also one of the wealthiest, and has, over the years, attracted a number of celebrities: Bill Gates, Amy Winehouse, Noel Gallagher, Princess Margaret, Mick Jagger, Bryan Adams, Shania Twain, Kate Moss, David Duchovny, Tea Leoni, David Bowie, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugh Grant, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Pierce Brosnan, Alex Beard, Jeremy Clarkson and Nigella Lawson. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip made private visits to Mustique in 1966, 1977, and 1985.
One of our very favorite islands is Bequia. It is the second largest island and it is held by some historians that the famous Captain Edward Teach had his base there. The opening shot of the movie Blackbeard, Pirate of the Caribbean, made by the BBC actually displays a replica of his first ship off the coast of Bequia in the St. Vincent passage. According to local legend, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was not only Capt. Edward Teach's base, but also Sir Francis Drake's from where he planned his attacks on the Spanish admiralty.
Another of our favourites is Union Island, a part of the nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
It is the southernmost island of the Grenadines and lies 90 kilometers southwest of Barbados, within view of the islands of Carriacou and the mainland of Grenada, which lie directly south.
The most extensive and well-developed coral reef complexes in St. Vincent & the Grenadines occur on the shallow shelves around the windward side.
Whenever I think of this island, a funny story always comes to mind.
Several years ago, I was on my way to check in at customs there, along with a friend of mine in his dinghy. As we pulled up to the dock, a young lad took our line and said that he would look after our dinghy while we checked in. Brent said, "No, thank you very much". The young lad then made his mistake. He said, "Well, you never know what will happen to your dinghy while you're away". At this point Brent, who just happened to be an ex-NFL player, slowly rose to his full 6'5" and said, "Don't worry...NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THIS DINGHY". This had much more than it's intended effect as the poor lad quietly shrunk into the background.
Most of these islands are fairly poor, and so there are many of these 'boat boys' as we call them, looking to make some pocket change in any way they can. They're mostly good kids and cruisers understand this, so are typically quite generous with them. The main thing to remember though is that if you see one you like, appoint him for your vessel and then ask for his name. That way, when other boat boys approach you, you simply say, 'Sammy' is our boat boy... and they will respectfully leave you alone... no argument.
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