These two characters commandeered our dinghy
Looking through the photos I took this week, everything feels kind of random.
At the start, we (temporarily) parted ways with Selah as they entertained some out-of-town guests and enjoyed a few days meandering around the islands of Tortola, Sandy Cay, and Jost Van Dyke in the BVI.
We would have stayed longer, but we were running low on fresh food and clothes. With limited access to good grocery options in the BVI, it made sense to sail back to USVI. They are close, so it’s not a huge deal, but we moved slowly in the heat and spent much of the day clearing out of the BVI in Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke and clearing in with US Customs and Immigration in St. John, USVI. Brian thought it was a pain in the ass, but I believe that the salad greens, Greek yogurt, and fresh sheets that we procured in Red Hook, St. Thomas were worth the hassle.
While in Red Hook, we were thrilled to run into our first sailing mentor, Rosemary. Not a day goes by that we don’t utilize something she taught us, so she’s constantly on our minds. We got a little emotional seeing her in person again, for the first time in two years.
We capped off the week back in Christmas Cove, where we accidentally reunited with Selah one day earlier than planned and got to spend time with Monica and Trent on s/v Pepper, whom we’d met back in the Bahamas. I like how Christmas Cove has become our home base, and how we always seem to find our way back here after we’ve been out adventuring.
Please enjoy these snapshots from our totally random, completely wonderful week!
Kite surfer crossing our bow in the channel at Saba Rock
When he noticed I was taking his photo, he came closer and did some jumps
The point at Cane Garden, Tortola, BVI
The beach at Cane Garden Bay is lined with hippie beach shacks that provide live music each evening
Live music at Quitos in Cane Garden Bay
A plate of cracked conch. They pound strips of conch until tender and then deep fry them. It reminds me of the clam strips served in New England for people who prefer their fried clams without bellies.
A ray of light shining down on Nightingale Tune in Cane Garden Bay
Mango and strawberry smoothies with nutmeg and a little rum. Just one of the clever ways I’m using up those ten pound bags of frozen fruit I bought at Costco in Puerto Rico!
Sunset at Cane Garden Bay
Sandy Cay, BVI is an uninhabited island with a gorgeous beach. We grabbed a day mooring and enjoyed an afternoon of snorkeling and swimming here.
Adorable sloop anchored in Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVI
Foxy’s in Great Harbor is a famous stop for sailors. When we passed by at 10 AM, there were already folks bellied up to the bar. We decided to bypass it on the way to the Customs and Immigration office.
Visit Christine’s Bakery for banana bread
There are goats all over Jost Van Dyke.
After a long, hot day of clearing out in the BVI and clearing in on St. John, USVI we decided we’d earned ourselves frozen painkillers at The Longboard. It’s our new favorite place in Cruz Bay.
Rainbow over Cruz Bay after a squall as we were leaving St. John
Once we cleared back into the USVI, it was chore time.
We stopped in Red Hook, St. Thomas to do laundry and shop for provisions for the coming weeks. Here, Nico is protesting as I’m trying to strip the linens from the bed.
Brian, taste testing a recipe for an article I’m writing for a food magazine
s/v Columbia, anchored near Christmas Cove. This ship is just 2 years old and built as a modern replica of a 90 year old ship with the same name . Stunning.
Back in Christmas Cove, we added some reinforcement line to our mooing, which had chafed to an uncomfortable degree.
Uni, anyone?
Me, swimming with a sea turtle from a respectful distance
Where are we now?
Such great photos! Wonderful.
Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit are both favorites. Try Buck Island on St Croix. Have you been to Anegada? It keeps getting better and then you are in Trini.