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.
.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Chartering, the Better Way
(Note: The following article was kindly provided to us by our very good friend, Pam Juryn, ex-commodore of The World Cruising Club, and founder of Harbourside Sailing School in Toronto).
Think about this:
You know that the British Virgin Islands are the most perfect cruising grounds in the world. You know that getting there can be a pain, but worth it. You are a sailor and want to take your girlfriend, family, or group of friends cruising there this winter, so what next? Most people think only of “bareboating”, or renting a boat that will sleep everyone, flying there and taking off. Okay, but you will find that there is more to it than that!
You fly to San Juan, and take the shuttle to Beef Island. You are there! If your luggage didn’t make it, you know it will be on the next shuttle an hour later, so you wander down the road, cross to the beach, order beer and sit under a palm tree for an hour. Not too shabby, but then comes getting a taxi to your boat which costs – ouch!
You are shown to your boat, and there it is – your bare boat – bare! Depending on the time of day, you either settle down to enjoy the heat, or go to the local store to start provisioning. Remember, all the food you are used to had to come by plane, so the prices are high, but what did you expect? You forget about some of the little luxuries you had planned on. Buying booze, you know, is going to cost, and it does.
Did you study the cruising guide before you came? Do you know where you want to go first? How long will that take? Boy, that’s a big wind! Hopefully you chose a harbour for the night that is not too far away. It will take you a couple of days to get used to this. Where was that good place to snorkel again? Better tie to a mooring ball at night so you don’t have to worry about your anchor dragging. I know, more money!
Okay, there is another way. Bare boating is not the only, or even the best way to cruise the British Virgin Islands. How about a crewed yacht? Don’t want to share your holiday with people you don’t know? That is an advantage, actually, as they KNOW the best places, they KNOW the secret anchorages, they know the best restaurants, and the best snorkeling, and they really like having people enjoy the islands with them.
Not only that, they fix things that go wrong, they can help with everything from showing you the best snorkeling to making sure there is a cold beer when you want one, to doing the dishes, and providing you with anything your heart desires.
This was brought home to me once when my friends Dave and Ida Warren were using their lovely Beneteau 51 for crewed charters, and I was down with a friend, and we bare boated because Dave & Ida were busy that week. Well, it turned out their charter fell through, so in our bare boat we followed them over to Peter Island, Great Harbour, where bare boaters were not allowed to anchor as the holding is so difficult. They invited us to dinner, which was marvelous as usual.
After dinner we were sitting in the cockpit on a perfect night, with the wind blowing gently, feeling that life was just about perfect, and I said as much, and then said, “the only thing that would make it more perfect would be some brandy”. Dave disappeared down below and a few minutes later handed my some Courvoisier in a brandy snifter. I couldn’t believe it! How perfect can you get?
If you are planning to go cruising in the British Virgin Islands, think about doing a “crewed” charter. It is the MOST luxurious way to go! It is a little bit more expensive than bare boating, but very much worth it!
Think about this:
You know that the British Virgin Islands are the most perfect cruising grounds in the world. You know that getting there can be a pain, but worth it. You are a sailor and want to take your girlfriend, family, or group of friends cruising there this winter, so what next? Most people think only of “bareboating”, or renting a boat that will sleep everyone, flying there and taking off. Okay, but you will find that there is more to it than that!
You fly to San Juan, and take the shuttle to Beef Island. You are there! If your luggage didn’t make it, you know it will be on the next shuttle an hour later, so you wander down the road, cross to the beach, order beer and sit under a palm tree for an hour. Not too shabby, but then comes getting a taxi to your boat which costs – ouch!
You are shown to your boat, and there it is – your bare boat – bare! Depending on the time of day, you either settle down to enjoy the heat, or go to the local store to start provisioning. Remember, all the food you are used to had to come by plane, so the prices are high, but what did you expect? You forget about some of the little luxuries you had planned on. Buying booze, you know, is going to cost, and it does.
Did you study the cruising guide before you came? Do you know where you want to go first? How long will that take? Boy, that’s a big wind! Hopefully you chose a harbour for the night that is not too far away. It will take you a couple of days to get used to this. Where was that good place to snorkel again? Better tie to a mooring ball at night so you don’t have to worry about your anchor dragging. I know, more money!
Okay, there is another way. Bare boating is not the only, or even the best way to cruise the British Virgin Islands. How about a crewed yacht? Don’t want to share your holiday with people you don’t know? That is an advantage, actually, as they KNOW the best places, they KNOW the secret anchorages, they know the best restaurants, and the best snorkeling, and they really like having people enjoy the islands with them.
Not only that, they fix things that go wrong, they can help with everything from showing you the best snorkeling to making sure there is a cold beer when you want one, to doing the dishes, and providing you with anything your heart desires.
This was brought home to me once when my friends Dave and Ida Warren were using their lovely Beneteau 51 for crewed charters, and I was down with a friend, and we bare boated because Dave & Ida were busy that week. Well, it turned out their charter fell through, so in our bare boat we followed them over to Peter Island, Great Harbour, where bare boaters were not allowed to anchor as the holding is so difficult. They invited us to dinner, which was marvelous as usual.
After dinner we were sitting in the cockpit on a perfect night, with the wind blowing gently, feeling that life was just about perfect, and I said as much, and then said, “the only thing that would make it more perfect would be some brandy”. Dave disappeared down below and a few minutes later handed my some Courvoisier in a brandy snifter. I couldn’t believe it! How perfect can you get?
If you are planning to go cruising in the British Virgin Islands, think about doing a “crewed” charter. It is the MOST luxurious way to go! It is a little bit more expensive than bare boating, but very much worth it!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Baths
There are many things in the beautiful British Virgin Islands that are wonders to behold, but, when it comes to the things one ‘must see’, The Baths is pretty much at the top of our list.
I can remember the first time Ida and I walked through the trails there. I couldn’t help thinking that this must be part of a movie set for Indiana Jones.
The Baths is at the south end of the Island of Virgin Gorda. The best way to describe this site might be to ask you to imagine a bunch of boulders, some the size of an average house, piled precariously atop one another… as though they just kind of fell out of the sky. Just how they all got there is something of a matter of conjecture. I envisioned this huge volcanic eruption, with these boulders being shot up several miles in the sky, then all coming tumbling down in a big heap. I like that because it sounds so exciting! But the most popular theory is that molten rock, known as magma, solidified and was pushed up through the earth’s surface, leaving these large, broken pieces of granite all along the water’s edge.
The hiking trail, which wanders through and around these monoliths, takes you through several tidal pools of water, between your ankles and knees in depth. And at the end of the trail you walk out onto Devil’s beach… a beach the likes of which you will never see again, because it’s entirely surrounded by these gigantic rocks. On a good day, you will find many families frolicking in the incredibly clear turquoise water there.
Like so many other sites in these islands, there is more than one version of why it came to be named ‘The Baths’. One has to do with the slave trade back in the 17 and 1800s.
Large groups of blacks were being continuously shipped across the ocean from Africa to the Americas. As one can imagine, this trip was incredibly hard… in fact, there was so much sickness on the passage that many died on the way. It’s a part of our history, that today, is so hard for us to contemplate. Of course, those that did survive the ordeal were in great need of a good cleansing. These poor souls were there to be sold as slaves, and so, in order to fetch the best price for them, one of the things their captors did was to take them there for a ‘Bath’.
Well, that’s only one version, but, whatever you believe, believe this: If you don’t visit The Baths on your vacation there, then you will miss out on something very big!
I can remember the first time Ida and I walked through the trails there. I couldn’t help thinking that this must be part of a movie set for Indiana Jones.
The Baths is at the south end of the Island of Virgin Gorda. The best way to describe this site might be to ask you to imagine a bunch of boulders, some the size of an average house, piled precariously atop one another… as though they just kind of fell out of the sky. Just how they all got there is something of a matter of conjecture. I envisioned this huge volcanic eruption, with these boulders being shot up several miles in the sky, then all coming tumbling down in a big heap. I like that because it sounds so exciting! But the most popular theory is that molten rock, known as magma, solidified and was pushed up through the earth’s surface, leaving these large, broken pieces of granite all along the water’s edge.
The hiking trail, which wanders through and around these monoliths, takes you through several tidal pools of water, between your ankles and knees in depth. And at the end of the trail you walk out onto Devil’s beach… a beach the likes of which you will never see again, because it’s entirely surrounded by these gigantic rocks. On a good day, you will find many families frolicking in the incredibly clear turquoise water there.
Like so many other sites in these islands, there is more than one version of why it came to be named ‘The Baths’. One has to do with the slave trade back in the 17 and 1800s.
Large groups of blacks were being continuously shipped across the ocean from Africa to the Americas. As one can imagine, this trip was incredibly hard… in fact, there was so much sickness on the passage that many died on the way. It’s a part of our history, that today, is so hard for us to contemplate. Of course, those that did survive the ordeal were in great need of a good cleansing. These poor souls were there to be sold as slaves, and so, in order to fetch the best price for them, one of the things their captors did was to take them there for a ‘Bath’.
Well, that’s only one version, but, whatever you believe, believe this: If you don’t visit The Baths on your vacation there, then you will miss out on something very big!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Scary Creatures of The Sea
When people think about swimming in the sea, quite often, one of the first things they'll ask about is what they should be 'afraid of'.
I used to have lots of fun with that one.
I would reply with something like, "Not much... but do keep an eye out for 'Snapp'n Jack'..."
"Who's 'Snapp'n Jack?" they would warily ask.
"Oh, he's an 8-foot barracuda with a real bad attitude", I'd reply.
OK, so what's the real story?
Well, here it is:
In our 11 years of chartering, there have been very few swimming injuries on our boat, and all of them minor in nature. And not one, I repeat NOT ONE, due to any creature of the sea biting someone.
On the other hand, of course, as with any other sport, one does need to be 'in the present'... and constantly mindful of the things around them. So before you even put a toe in the water, check with your captain, or, if you have no captain, then check the local boating guides as to what you may need to watch out for. Things like Sea Urchins, Fire Coral and Jelly Fish, to name a few.
Most of these don't add up to much, but we had one delightful couple aboard some years ago that decided to go off snorkelling before I'd had a chance to do my usual briefing. The young lady had seen a small cluster of sea urchins in the shallow water, and, realizing that her hubby was getting far too close to them, quickly made her way over and pushed him away. Good move. However, in doing so, she lost her balance and at down on a stand of fire coral. OUCH!!!
By the time she got back on board, she was crying with the pain. Ida laid her face down on the settee and administered her first aid (alcohol and hydrogen peroxide...in generous quantities!) while the poor girl blubbered through her tears, "That was like someone putting a blowtorch to my _ss!!!"
Yes, she knew about sea urchins, and now I think, she'll always remember Fire Coral.
I used to have lots of fun with that one.
I would reply with something like, "Not much... but do keep an eye out for 'Snapp'n Jack'..."
"Who's 'Snapp'n Jack?" they would warily ask.
"Oh, he's an 8-foot barracuda with a real bad attitude", I'd reply.
OK, so what's the real story?
Well, here it is:
In our 11 years of chartering, there have been very few swimming injuries on our boat, and all of them minor in nature. And not one, I repeat NOT ONE, due to any creature of the sea biting someone.
On the other hand, of course, as with any other sport, one does need to be 'in the present'... and constantly mindful of the things around them. So before you even put a toe in the water, check with your captain, or, if you have no captain, then check the local boating guides as to what you may need to watch out for. Things like Sea Urchins, Fire Coral and Jelly Fish, to name a few.
Most of these don't add up to much, but we had one delightful couple aboard some years ago that decided to go off snorkelling before I'd had a chance to do my usual briefing. The young lady had seen a small cluster of sea urchins in the shallow water, and, realizing that her hubby was getting far too close to them, quickly made her way over and pushed him away. Good move. However, in doing so, she lost her balance and at down on a stand of fire coral. OUCH!!!
By the time she got back on board, she was crying with the pain. Ida laid her face down on the settee and administered her first aid (alcohol and hydrogen peroxide...in generous quantities!) while the poor girl blubbered through her tears, "That was like someone putting a blowtorch to my _ss!!!"
Yes, she knew about sea urchins, and now I think, she'll always remember Fire Coral.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
More on Haiti
We are all well aware of the terrible devastation inflicted upon Haiti by the severe earthquake in mid- January. It is still a very sad situation… and it will take many years for these poor, but very proud people, to fully recover.
In order to help ensure a reasonable quality of life for these people, and especially the future of the Haitian children, most of whom cannot read or write, The Good Samaritan Foundation of Haiti have been working with the Rotary Club of Tortola to provide many of the basics, and are in the process of building a new school there. This school will cost a total of about $140,000. We are still in need of further funding.
Michael Beans, originally from Michigan, is a local musician in The BVI. He is the driving force behind the 11 year old Foundation, and puts it very succinctly in his YouTube video… “You cannot teach an empty belly”. (See www.youtube.com/user/HaitiSchoolApeal)
In June of this year, Michael, along with TGSFH director, Pamela Solman and Tortola Rotarian, Stephen Cooper, made another of their trips to Haiti. The main purpose of their trip was to break ground for a new school to provide education for more of the children. But they also took the first steps to initiate micro loans that will enable locals to start new businesses. They even introduced tooth brushing to the school children.
Please consider making a donation, be it large or small, to:
The Rotary Club of Tortola
PO Box 10
Road Town, Tortola, BVI
www.thegoodsamaritanofhaiti.com
Let’s all open up our hearts!
Supported by: Davida Yacht Charters info@saildavida.com Phone: (340) 344-5813
In order to help ensure a reasonable quality of life for these people, and especially the future of the Haitian children, most of whom cannot read or write, The Good Samaritan Foundation of Haiti have been working with the Rotary Club of Tortola to provide many of the basics, and are in the process of building a new school there. This school will cost a total of about $140,000. We are still in need of further funding.
Michael Beans, originally from Michigan, is a local musician in The BVI. He is the driving force behind the 11 year old Foundation, and puts it very succinctly in his YouTube video… “You cannot teach an empty belly”. (See www.youtube.com/user/HaitiSchoolApeal)
In June of this year, Michael, along with TGSFH director, Pamela Solman and Tortola Rotarian, Stephen Cooper, made another of their trips to Haiti. The main purpose of their trip was to break ground for a new school to provide education for more of the children. But they also took the first steps to initiate micro loans that will enable locals to start new businesses. They even introduced tooth brushing to the school children.
Please consider making a donation, be it large or small, to:
The Rotary Club of Tortola
PO Box 10
Road Town, Tortola, BVI
www.thegoodsamaritanofhaiti.com
Let’s all open up our hearts!
Supported by: Davida Yacht Charters info@saildavida.com Phone: (340) 344-5813
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