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A destination wedding for a good friend brought me down to the BVI's over Thanksgiving week. After wedding celebrations were complete, all guests set sail amidst four boats.
Castellina II (Little Castle) was one of the four boats that made up our mini flotilla. Having just come into the fleet, I was fortunate enough to be the first to charter her. She made the perfect home for the week.
We boarded a sparkling clean boat for a sleep aboard and were welcomed by a bottle of rum and some snacks. Our pre-ordered provisions were waiting for us and the fridge was stocked with cold drinks and our perishable items. Relaxation soon set in. It was a great start and continued to get better by the day.
The wedding took place at the Sugar Mill Hotel, a gorgeous setting on the Northern shore of Tortola on Little Apple Bay, easily reachable by taxi from Sopers Hole or Cane Garden Bay. A sunset ceremony was followed by an wonderful reception. The celebrations continued at Bomba's Surfside Shack. This made for an eventful and memorable night. This type of wedding may be arguably unconventional, but it was undoubtedly beautiful and a great excuse to get down to the BVI's. After all wedding festivities were complete, the newlyweds and their guests set sail for Jost Van Dyke to begin the "honeymoon".
Although, it is difficult to go wrong when choosing an itinerary in the BVI, here are just a few of the highlights that were enjoyed by all...
Sipping on “original” Painkillers at the Soggy Dollar Bar on White bay. Named after the sparkling white sands off its beach, it’s truly an idyllic spot to sit and relax on a hammock or go for a swim.
- The “Bubbly Pool” on Diamond Cay. Just a short hike from Foxy’s Taboo restaurant, you will find natures own Jacuzzi, where waves funnel through narrow rock formations into a small natural pool.
- Snorkeling at Marina Cay. We received a tip from a local staff member at the fuel dock who pointed us to a nearby, obscure location for snorkeling, away from the obvious reefs where tourists were being dropped off by the boat load. We were pleasantly surprised to find an underwater world of vibrant corals, fish and fauna all to ourselves.
- The William Thornton at the Bight off Norman Island. If you are looking for some entertainment in the evening hours, you are sure to find it here. Once a merchant ship, it is now a floating bar/restaurant. If you plan to dance, don’t forget your shoes, as one of our party members had done. He claimed to have “danced off his foot prints” due to the grainy flooring of the "Willy T".
- Snorkeling at the Caves. Located along the coast of Norman Island, these caves are still said to hold pirate treasures. There is one small, and two large caves for exploring and you are sure to see some amazing underwater life including colorful schools of fish who instinctively swim in synch, as if they are choreographed and perhaps some (harmless) barracudas.
- Snorkeling at The Indians. Located just North of Norman Island, The Indians also serve as a fantastic spot for diving and snorkeling. Named for their resemblance of a classic Indian headdress, these four towering rock formations soar out of the water to a height of almost fifty feet. The view is amazing from the sandy bottom looking up at the towers, as the suns rays shine through the water. Many turtles were spotted here. Don’t forget your underwater camera!
- Diving the RMS Rhone. Sail East through Salt Island passage and you will reach the Wreck of the Rhone. The 310’ steamship, “Rhone” sunk during a hurricane in 1867. The ship hit a rock and split into two. Both parts are still well preserved about 65' below the surface and can easily be seen, even for those snorkeling. The ship is covered by coral, sponges and sea fans. She serves as a refuge for many underwater creatures. We spotted angel fish, a huge ray and a reef shark, among many others.
- We wrapped up our journey by lounging at Cooper Island Beach Club on the last evening. We enjoyed a great dinner and many rum punches, as we had done throughout the week. We discussed our many adventures we had experienced and couldn’t believe how quickly its end was approaching. No one seemed to miss their cell phones, television or laptops. As we dingied back to Castellina II from Cooper, we gazed up at the sky and commented how we had never seen so many stars.
The laid-back lifestyle practiced in the islands makes you slow down, take a look around and truly appreciate all that this wonderful place has to offer. This is what a vacation is meant to be. I invite you to experience it. Call me now to get started planning your vacation and make your own memories.
STACY COOLBAUGH , CHARTER BROKER
Serving THE TORTOLA CATAMARAN CENTER
ANNAPOLIS, MD
309 Third Street
Annapolis, MD 21403
Phone: 410.280.8690
Fax: 954.727.0024
stacy@catamarans.com
www.catamarans.com
Read my biography at: www.catamarans.com/broker/charter/stacy
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