Sunday, April 30th
Sleep evaded us last night. In part, due to the rain – in part, due to heat. Our cabin was small, and we had to climb over one another to get into and out of our bed, but it was surprisingly comfortable. TD does not have AC, our only option for cooling our cabin was to open the hatch in our cabin. We were lucky to have two – one at the foot of the bed, and one above our head, we also had two small fans at the head of the bed. The Caribbean breeze was incredible, so our cabin had cooled off nicely, making sleeping conditions very comfortable…. until it rained. Up to close the hatches. Back to sleep, only to awaken when the cabin was hot and the air was stuffy. Open the hatch. … and then in rained again. Up again to close the hatch. Back to sleep…. well, you get the picture. It was 2am (according to my phone) – I couldn’t take any more of this!! Marcus and I switched sides of the bed, and I decided I would rather get rained on, than keep opening and closing the hatch – so, I took the spot directly under the hatch.
Up early – – super early – – 5:30am…I needed a Dramamine. Once we heard the crew up, and smelled the coffee, we were out of our cabin and on deck. Good Morning’s issued all around, coffee consumed and rain showers dodged by bouncing in between the salon and the galley area. Captain Rich informed us that the weather for today was not going to be great, but that he would do his best to find us some sunshine and dodge the showers. The morning was ours until 8am, when breakfast would be served.
Breakfast, promptly at 8am was a selection of yogurt, toast and bagels, hardboiled eggs, cereal, fresh fruit and juice.
After breakfast, we sailed to Manchioneel Bay on Cooper Island, to snorkel at Cistern Point. Marcus and I have been to Cooper Island before, but only for lunch at Cooper Island Beach Club. This time, we had a chance to snorkel, swim, kayak or take the Dinghy to shore. First up, snorkeling at Cistern Point. We all piled into the dinghy and were dropped at the swim line. Snorkel gear on, in the water we went. We could snorkel all along the point and shore line, there was marine life present – but little in the way of reef life, or variety of marine life – still a good introductory snorkel (and my first real chance to use my new mask and snorkel!). I imagine if it had been sunny and not raining, the visibility would have been better.
Snorkel was over, and the fun was just beginning – we had to get back into the dinghy… from the water. Boy oh boy, I wish I had video of this! There is no way I can begin to explain what getting into a dinghy from the water is like. Captain Rich had given us a disclaimer before getting into the dinghy – “the only people who don’t get back into the dinghy are those that don’t want to get in the dinghy.” I will not be held responsible for any images that come to mind, as I attempt to explain this little challenge.
1. Fully geared up – fins, snorkel and mask.
2. Absolutely zero upper body strength.
3. Rich and Indy were in the dinghy, as was one of my boat mates.
4. Marcus was hanging out with me in the water, with strict instruction (from me) to shove me up and over the side of the dingy.
Rich gives instruction on how best to get back in the dinghy and all I can do is laugh – he makes it sound so easy!! I grab the dinghy, where instructed and make my first attempt to pull myself in. Kicking my finned feat with everything I have and pulling myself onto the side of the dingy – I barely get myself out of the water for Rich to grab my shoulders, before I slipped off the side and back into the water, inhaling salt water on my way down. FAIL. Finding my way back to the surface, I can only yell at Marcus for not pushing me enough. Set up for attempt 2. Rich instructs me to “fin up” has hard as I can, he assures me, we’ll get it this time. I was so traumatized by this most embarrassing moment in my life, I’m sure I have blocked the next 30-60 seconds out to protect myself, because I don’t remember anything other than my belly flop into the dinghy – complete with my swimsuit top having climbed up and my swimsuit bottoms having rolled down.
A new mantra was born – “There’s no graceful way to get back into a dinghy!”
Marcus is back in the dinghy in one smooth move. We head back to TD, and get ready for lunch which smelled Ah-maze-ing!! Ahi Tuna on a bed of salad, with fresh bread.
After lunch, we all piled back into the dinghy and Rich took us to shore for exploring at Cooper Island Beach Club. Only my husband can order ice cream and coffee in one transaction! Delicious ice cream, some wandering through the gift shop, a walk along the beach and the wooden walk way along the resort made for an enjoyable afternoon. We recognized many faces from the ferry ride earlier in the week, as well as other Tradewinds guests we had met at the base.
Back on TD, we headed out of Manchioneel Bay later that afternoon for the trip to Virgin Gorda. Back on the bow of the boat – this trip was a long, roll-y trip. Various boat mates took turns riding up front with me, but it was breezy, a little chilly and wet – very, very wet. I took a few solid, full body hits, as did Brad, Barb and Ed. Alas, I was last man standing – having survived the trip to Virgin Gorda. We arrived to Valley Trunk Bay on Virgin Gorda, late in the afternoon – and it was everything you picture a Caribbean Bay to be! Crystal clear, bright blue water. White sand, and a beach lined with palm trees.
We dropped anchor, with everyone sitting up front in awe at the beauty of this bay.
…and then… the d’oh moment of the trip – – our crew “prop-wrapped” the dingy. It sounded painful. This is another one of those moments I wish I had captured on camera or video (but it didn’t feel right taking pictures of this very stressful situation, so there are none)… when I went back to check on the situation, Indy and Rich are taking turns with a bucket – into the engine compartment, filling the bucket, tossing buckets and buckets of water over the side of the boat. Rich is on the phone calling the base and other Tradewinds yachts for some help. Another Tradewinds boat shows up, and their captain dinghy’s over to check out our situation – back and forth, the captains discuss our situation, we’re handed an extra bilge pump, and he’s off.
Meanwhile, our first mate, Dom brings our afternoon cocktails and snacks to the front of the boat and shortly after, Captain Rich called our team meeting. We learn the severity of our situation….
I have good news, and I have bad news.
The bad news – I broke the boat, and we’re taking on water.
The good news – I got us a new boat!
We had to head back to Nanny Cay on Tortola, with one engine, and the main sail…at night… back across the roll-y ocean. Time for another Dramamine.
It took some time to situate TD and get us ready for the journey, and we would be eating dinner while we were under way. We also learned that we would need to pack our belongings, and be ready to get off the boat quickly, as TD was coming out of the water tonight. We would board our new boat tonight, and spend the night docked in the Marina, with an early departure Monday morning, back to Virgin Gorda.
Dom served us a pretty incredible dinner under way – I think this was the night of the cucumber salad, Roasted Pork and Mashed sweet potatoes.
When we rounded the corner into Nanny Cay Marina, the entire left side of the Marina was lit up – and there was a fury of movement. I’m sure everyone who worked for Tradewinds that was not at sea, was called in to help. Bags were rapidly packed, we were off the boat and unpacking on our new boat (Explorer, I think) around 9pm. Once we were settled onto the new boat, Dom, bless her heart, busted out desert and made sure we all had our serving of desert.
It was late, we were all exhausted from the excitement of the day – – so we were off to bed shortly after desert.
Flip Flops & Time Off - Adventures in Travel & Every Day Life 