British Virgin Islands Part 2

As Justin spent April 4th working on the anchor locker (putting in a one way valve) and working on fixing the windless wiring, I spent the day posting photos on Facebook, updating our blog, and exploring Nanny Cay.

Justin drilling holes in the boat

Justin spent the next day fixing the water maker. So Margaret, Mike, Anthony, and I rented a car to drive around Tortola Island. After walking up Mount Sage, we had lunch. We then drove to Brewers Bay and we walked along the beach. We tried to find Mount Healthy National Park; we found the mill ruins, but we could not find the hiking trail. Afterwards, we drove to Trellis Bay and checked out the full moon party location.

Mike and Margaret at the fig tree on Mount Sage

Anthony at Brewer's Beach on Tortola Island

Margaret, Anthony, and Mike in Brewer's Bay

Mike, Anthony, and Margaret in Brewer's Bay

Mill ruins in Mount Healthy National Park

Statue that is lit on fire at Full Moon Parties

Anthony chilling at Full Moon Party Location in Trellis Bay

When we woke up on April 6th, we discovered that the voltage of the boat batteries had dropped significantly low during the night. We were concerned about the batteries' ability to hold charge. After charging the batteries, we monitored their voltage while solar panels were generating power and after sun went down. Unfortunately, the batteries were damaged, and had to be replaced. We sailed in 20 knots past Marina Cay to the Northeast Islands off of Tortola Island. We tried to anchor in Lee Bay on Great Camanoe Island, but the bay was too exposed, too windy, and had too much surf to make land. So we anchored in White Bay on Guana Island instead, and we walked along the beach.

Justin at the helm, navigating through shallow waters

Mike, our high end photographer

Blow hole in Lee Bay on Great Camanoe Island

Justin and Anthony at White Bay on Guana Island

Justin, Anthony, and Mike throwing rocks at White Bay on Guana Island

When we woke up the next morning, we couldn't raise the anchor. We had to call in a diver to assess the fouled anchor because we were too deep to free dive. It turned out that the anchor chain had wrapped around a displaced mooring block six times. Once the diver freed us from the mooring block, we sailed to Cane Garden Bay. We ate homemade salsa for lunch. In the afternoon, we visited the Callwood Rum Distillery and we purchased some local rum. We finished the day with drinks and dinner on the beach.

Arrival of the diver to help us with our fouled anchor

The diver who helped us detach our anchor from the mooring block

Anthony and Justin at Callwood Distillery in Cane Garden Bay

Callwood Distillery in Cane Garden Bay

Mike inspecting the machinery at the distillery

Justin at Callwood Distillery

Shots at the distillary

Justin, Mike, and Anthony at dinner in Cane Garden Bay

Cane Garden Bay

Just Dreamin at Cane Garden Bay

Anthony made us bacon and eggs for breakfast on the 8th. We then had a leisurely sail downwind to Sandy Spit. After a walk and a swim at the beach, we moved on to Diamond Cay on Jost Van Dyke, which turned out to be a prime location for sea turtles due to all the sea grass. We walked to Bubbly Pool, where we swam in the crashing waves and climbed the rocks. Justin and Anthony swam with the turtles when we returned to the boat. At the end of the day, Justin, Anthony, and I had drinks and appetizers at Foxy's.

Sandy Spit

Justin at Sandy Spit

Mangroves in Diamond Cay on Jost Van Dyke Island

Justin in front of an infamous Manchineel Tree

Justin and I at Diamond Cay

Mike and I climbing the rocks at Diamond Cay

Anthony, Mike, Justin and Margaret at Bubbly Pool

Anthony, Mike, and Margaret at Bubbly Pool

Bubbly Pool

Myself at Bubbly Pool

Justin, Anthony, Margaret, and Mike at Bubbly Pool

Me, relaxing at Foxy's Taboo

I spent the next day seeking darkness and dealing with the ramifications of too many sugary rum cocktails the night before. Margaret, Mike, Justin, and Anthony hiked the road to Little Harbor while I recovered on the boat. We sailed to White Bay on Jost Van Dyke. Margaret, Mike, Justin, and Anthony went in to see the Soggy Dollar Bar, which was packed. We then sailed to Soper's Hole and anchored for the night. Justin, Anthony, and I took the dingy in to explore Soper's Hole and purchased some supplies.