British Virgin Islands Part 1

We arrived at the BVIs late in the evening on the 26th of March. So we anchored for the night and we got a good night's rest.

Road Town, British Virgin Islands

First thing the next day, we went to see customs and immigration. However, we came in at the same time as a ferry, which slowed us down momentarily. Despite communication issues due to technology glitches, we managed to meet up with Justin's parents, Margaret and Mike, and Justin's brother, Anthony at Pusser's pub for lunch. We picked up groceries and everyone's bags and shuttled them to the boat. We wondered through the markets for a bit before heading back to the boat to catch up over food and drinks.

The market in Road Town

Justin and Anthony, brothers reunited

On the morning of the 28th, Mike, Justin, and I went to the chandlery (for parts for the boat) and the French Bakery (for lucious baked goods). After checking four places, we were able to rent a stand up paddleboard (SUP). Full of French baked bread, we sailed to Benures Bay on Norman Island. Justin worked on repairing the fridge seal. I tested out the SUP by trying out some yoga on it. Nobody could resist a swim in the bay. Justin and Anthony played on the Kayak and SUP.

Benures Bay on Norman Island

"Battling for supremacy of the Caribbean"

We slept in the following morning. We sailed to Pelican Island and snorkeled around the Indians islands. Afterwards, we brought the boat to the Bight, and had dinner at Willy Ts, a restaurant on an old motor boat. And as one does in the BVIs, we had to sample the local drink (AKA, Pain Killers).

The Indians by Pelican Island

Anthony snorkeling at the Indians by Pelican Island

Myself snorkeling at the Indians by Pelican Island

Justin and I at the Indians

Anthony and Justin jumping off Willy Ts bar and restaurant

Raising the BVI flag

We might be feeling alright after a few "Pain Killers"

Just Dreamin' in the Bight

Justin and Anthony, Cheers!

We lazed around for most of the day on the 30th. Justin worked on the bilge pump and the anchor windless. We celebrated Mike's 67th birthday. In the evening, we took the dingy, the kayak, and the SUP to the caves. We learned that the SUP was great to tow behind the dingy and we turned the SUP into a make shift wake board. We finished the night with a few hands of Tarot.

Happy 67th birthday Mike!

The Spillman clan ready for another adventure

Anthony, Mike, and Margaret towing Justin and I to the caves

Anthony exploring the Caves at Treasure Point via SUP

Inside the caves

Myself, "standing guard" over the dingy

Mike and Margaret exploring the caves with the kayak

Margaret, Mike, and Anthony's turn to get towed

Our caravan back to the boat

Justin using the SUP as a make shift wake board

Maybe Anthony turned too quickly for Justin

Anthony using the SUP as a make shift wake board

Anthony, Mike, Margaret, Myself, and Justin at Mike's birthday dinner

We returned to Road Town for the day. Justin went to his favourite place, the chandlery. Margaret and I went to the French Bakery to pick up treats, check emails, do some banking, and call mom. We all met up at Pusser's pub for pizza. After restocking groceries, we moved to Key Bay on Peter Island. I spent the evening doing yoga on the SUP and reading a book. Justin, Margaret, Anthony, and Mike went to the beach. Justin swam. Mike and Margaret took the kayak to shore. Anthony paddled the SUP.

We have a new skipper in town

Myself enjoying a lazy evening

Anthony, Justin, and Mike with their creation

Margaret in Key Bay on Peter Island

Justin in Key Bay on Peter Island

Margaret, Mike, and Anthony on a hike from Key Bay on Peter Island

Anthony, Margaret, and Mike on a hike from Key Bay on Peter Island

Anthony returning to Just Dreamin' on SUP

Just Dreamin' in Key Bay on Peter Island

On April 1st, we sailed to the Rhone (a mail ship that sunk in 1867 by Salt island) and snorkeled the wreck. We then moved the boat to Manchioneel Bay, where we snorkeled some more. I took a go at using the SUP as a wake board. We topped the night off with dinner at Cooper Island Restaurant.

Anthony, Justin, and I en route to the Rhone

Justin at the Rhone wreck

Justin, Anthony, Margaret, and Mike at the Rhone

Manchioneel Bay on Cooper Island

Justin snorkeling in Manchioneel Bay on Cooper Island

Anthony snorkeling at Manchioneel Bay on Cooper Island

Myself trying out the SUP as a wake board

What happens when we let them out

Justin and I at Cooper Island Restaurant

Justin spent the next morning troubleshooting the water maker, with no avail. We traveled to Savanna Bay on Virgin Gorda, but there was too big of a surf to get to shore and too much reef to anchor safely. We turned around when the keel bumped the reef. So we moved to Long Bay for the night. Justin and Anthony used the SUP as a wake board behind the dingy. Mike and Margaret went for a hike. Justin and I walked along the beach.

Justin trying out our new spinnaker, a gift from Justin's Uncle Dave and Aunt Pat

Justin and I walking the beach at Long Bay on Virgin Gorda

Long Bay on Virgin Gorda

Myself on the beach of Long Bay

Myself exploring the beach

We sailed to the Baths first thing on the morning of the 3rd. We tied the boat to a mooring buoy and took the dingy to the dingy mooring. From there, we swam in to shore. We explored the Baths and Devil's Bay, which are known for their huge granite bolders and crashing waves. We climbed through and over huge bolders to hidden grottoes and swam in the surf. Afterwards, we tried to go to Spanish Town Marina, but we got no response on the radio. So, we went to Nanny Cay Marina instead, where we caught up on laundry and updated facebook / the blog. Justin was able to pick up specialty parts for the water maker. Hopefully, we'll be able to fix it now.