Hi all! (note that my caps is not working today, love my computor!)
Left coral bay and St john finally! Larissa has decided that she cannot make this trip so I'm single handing again, in more ways than one. As conditions have not been condusive to an immediate departure from the virgins have been working my way to Virgin Gorda to await a window to St martin. Spent the first night after clearing in at road Town where I finally was able to cash in some gift certificates from some of the races Natie M competed in. Got some electrical parts for the boat and a nice photo print for my mom. Before returning to the boat, stopped at a sports bar to catch some cup action and ran into a friend, so much for the afternoon.
The next day sailed to the northwest end of Tortola to a little secluded bay called josiah's bay. Small bay but was able to get the anchor set in some good sand in between the rock and coral. This bay is classic carribean scenic with the stretch of white sand beach in front of a large valley that gradually rose up to green mountains. just a couple of villas to blot the view on the distant mountain side. Went hunting for the Tamarind club where I hoped to cash in in a gift certificate for dinner for two (now one) at the Tamarind club, a quaint little resort in the valley here. It was a beautiful walk up the valley away from the water. ruins and local housing with dense jungle pressing on both sides of the road; all the things I love about Tortola. Got picked up by a local who drove me the last quarter mile to the club, but first trying to get me to take a room at his mothers place first. I had to explain that I was just going to the Tamarind club for drinks and the cup. As I did not have a dinner partner, the owner was nice enough to allow me to hang with the other guests, watch the Spain/Portugal match in the Cup, and basically drink and eat up the $100 gift cert that I won in the Dark and Stormy regatta. Met some fellow yanks and lounged in the pool next to the bar. Even the two bartenders were yanks. With all the immigration restrictions these guys managed to get a dream job. I've pumped them for tips but if basically boils down to finding a local sponser. Gonna look more into that for work in the future. The only jobs I've found in my field (old field that is) have been located in St Thomas (known locally as St Trauma) where I thouroughly loathe. Anyway it was as little of a hike up the road to get there, but it was well worth it. The food and converstaion was excellent. Not a good day for Portugal though. Got back to the boat by 6pm and watched a horse trainer take a swim with a friend. Asleep, as I am wont to do when underway by 7.
This morning sailed to Virgin Gorda and my Spanish Town anchorage in front of my favorite hotel with WIFI and where I hanged with my brother (aka: mark anthony) while I waited for our southern passage to Antigua. The Fischer's Bay Hotel is located on same and as the local charters specifically forbid their boats from anchoring here its usually empty. Access is gained through a key hole channel in the coral reef into a small sand bay in front of the hotel. In most conditions it very sheltered and I can sit at the bar, do wifi, and watch the natie m. bob calmly at anchor, just the way I like it.
I'll probably head to Gorda sound at the end of the island and the jump off for St martin sometime tomorrow, or the next having refueled and taken on water here in Spanish town. Gorda sound is kinda remote, cept for the famous Bitter End Yacht club and a small settlement. I may be forced to catch the next match there unless of course the weather breaks. Ok thats it, hope to be writting alot this trip. Finally gonna head southwards after a year of hanging in the virgins but first east to St martin.
best to all and hope to hear back,
mark
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