Tuesday April 22, 2014

Tuesday April 22

Betsy - Ken

Heading north, destined for the Moorings base in Rodney Bay, we stopped at resort and ordered some take-out sandwiches.  And While we waited a cold drink was in order.  Yummy drinks, yummy sandwiches.

We had a beautiful 4 hour sail where we peeked at 8.9 knots, arriving at the marina at 4:30.  

Followings showers we dressed up for a cocktail reception at the Windjammer Resort.
Drinks, dinner and a limbo floor show.  Back to the boat.

The Windjammer & Charlie's Band

Charlie is a fiddler player.  He and his bandmates perform at the Windjammer Resort for the evenings poolside Manager' s reception, Lucian style. 

Monday April 21, 2014

Monday April 21

South to the Pitons.

The Pitons

With winds gusting at 30 knots we picked a mooring before deciding to head to the more sheltered south side of the mountain off of Soufriere.  After dinner on the boat we sat in the cockpit listening to Bruce Springsteen, 'Live in Dublin' and because there was some distance between us and other boats the volume crept up a bit.  

Soulfriere 

Sunday April 20, 2014

Sunday April 20

Following breakfast "a la Eric", we hauled anchor and crossed the bay back to the marina to pick up Doretta who was going to spend the day sailing with us. Destination  - Marigot Bay

Donnie
You only have to wear foul-weather gear once to justify packing it

Unfortunately, we ran into a bit of a rain storm and got a little damp.  The sun was back in no time. 

No Regrets - Marigot Bay

Betsy - Donnie - Ken - Jim

Jim shuttled Ken, Betsy and I ashore to check out the shops.
Being Easter Sunday, most of which were closed.

Doretta & Eric

Marigot Bay

Rainforest Hideaway

With a 7:00PM dinner reservation we dinghied to the Rainforest Hideaway restaurant.
After a great dinner with even better service, 

Eric, Ken, Jim, and I stayed back for a couple of (Eldorado) rum drinks with John, the owner.

Saturday April 19, 2014

Saturday April 19

Following boat orientation and showers we were off to the local supermarket for provisioning.  At 4:00 we finally slipped the lines and headed for nearby Pigeon Island.   With the mooring balls taken, we set anchor overlooking a 'Sandals Resort' and 'The Landings', the same resort we dined the night before.  

Ken & Betsy - Fort Rodney, Pigeon Island 

Eric rigged and raised the Canadian and US flags on "No Regrets" while Ken, Betsy, and Jim snorkeled the surrounding waters.  While cockails and snacks were enjoyed, dinner was planned. Striploin and Tofu on the BBQ with a side of Potato, Zuchini, and Onion.  The tofu was for me.

Unlike the Bahamas last year and Tortola 6 weeks ago, I was missing the 'wow' factor mainly because, I feel,  I have become familiar to island lifestyle.  This is not a negative feeling by any means. The 'wow' was replaced with a warm welcome comfort of belonging.  I suppose this is the same feeling some people have after being in Cape Breton a couple of times. 

Friday April 18, 2014

Friday April 18

At 5:05AM Butch is at the front door of the Holiday to take me to the airport. He is on the same flight,  AC607 Halifax -> Toronto. His itinary would have him home in Charlotte, NC by noon.  

In Toronto, Flight AC689 started boarding at 9:15AM, direct flight to UVF, St Lucia.  

Upon landing at UVF, it didn't take long to recognize the heat and humidity.  Eric, his brother Jim who had sailed with us on week 1 in the Bahamas last year and our driver Cecila were waiting for me to clear customs at 3:30. 

We arrived at the 'Mooring' base in Rodney Bay after a beautiful 1.5 hour drive from the most Southern end of the island to the most Northern and boarded 'No Regrets", a 43.3 Beneteau monohull. Our other 2 crew members, Ken & Betsy Cooper, who had come to the island from Seattle two days earlier soon joined us. Beds were assigned and we were off to the "Landings Resort" for cocktails and dinner. 

At the Landings, Doretta, Margaret, and Marie all whom I had met in February were awaiting  our arrival.  After a beautiful evening of drinks, dining while listening to a sax player, we repaired back to the boat for night caps. 

Thursday April 17, 2014

Thursday April 17

ST LUCIA - 2014

SAILING

My flight leaving for St Lucia leaves Halifax on (Good) Friday at 6:44 AM.  Thursday, I left home at 1:00 on route to Halifax. After checking into the  Holiday Inn (Airport) Hotel, I crossed the parking lot and walked into the Hilton destined for a bite to eat and a cold drink. "How was the sailing trip?", this gentleman asked as I approached the bar.  Sitting at the bar on the same stool as on Feb 02 was the same gentleman I shared a few drinks with on my way to the BVI's. Butch works for an energy company based out of North Carolina and is overseeing work in Port Hawkesbury. His travels have made him a frequent flyer and a regular at the hotel.  We repeated the course of our original meeting. 

Wednesday March 05, 2014

Monday March 05

Travel Day

12:00PM -12:45PM Beef Island, Tortola -> San Juan, Puerto Rico

3:35PM - 6:37PM Flight 772, US Airways -  San Juan, Puerto Rico -> Philadelphia

8:37PM -11:42PM Flight 3383, US Airways - Philadelphia ->Halifax

Down to Ginny's for one last Fried Egg and Avocado Sandwich.  

10:00 Airport Taxi

Beef Island, Tortola

Check In, Departure Tax, Security - Check

Boarding time, on time. Wow, this plane is small. 

Cape Air Flight 4501

Low flying, clear beautiful day.

'Best inflight movie ever' as we flew over the islands we have become to know only by water.  What a great way to leave this island paradise.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Emigration, Customs - check

Flight Check In, Security - check

Man there is a lot of kids and babies (crying) on this flight.  Although, noise cancelling headphones can reduce the drone of airplane engines by almost 100%, a baby's cry can penetrate them. Haven't their parents heard of baby Gravol or Tylenol. I am sure anyone of us would pay extra to have either included with their boarding passes.  I don't mean to sound cruel but, these are probably the same parents that will pump drugs in their kids for any inflection.  Volume up and Gin & Tonic please (it has become my flying drink of choice). Regardless of the disrespecting parents it was a great flight with US-Airways to Philadelphia.

Philadelphia, USA 

While at the airport I entered the USAirways lounge for a bite to eat, a glass of wine and to use their complimentary wifi.  

Long sleeve shirt on - Check.

Gate 10 is conveniently just down the corridor from the lounge. Flight 3382 left on time for Halifax with me aboard and more crying babies.  Headphones on, G&T please. 

Captain just spoke, 12 minutes til we land in Halifax, -16C.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Landed on time.

Customs - All other passengers cued up for customs screening.  I walked up to the Nexus kiosk, hit a couple of buttons and I was cleared.  

Socks and Crocs on - Check

Airport shuttle to hotel