I apologize for yesterday, when we got back our Internet was down and it just came back on a little while ago. we also loose power once a day. Neither you really need but I sure like filling you in.
Yesterday
Got up early, had coffee and headed into Road Town to meet a sailboat, The White Squall, that was going to take us to Virgin Gorda where the Baths are and to Cooper Island for some awesome snorkeling. On our way to our first stop was an intense rain squall right in our path, we knew that we were in for a wet time when we saw the captain and the first mate donning foul weather gear. The rain came on us so fast and hard that it stung like I was on my motorcycle. It washed away any remnants of my hangover. As fast as it hit us, it was gone.
The Baths are a unique, a natural phenomenon, of pools and grottoes formed by enormous boulders scattered around on the sandy white beaches. This place was awesome, I know I've used awesome a lot, but if the shoe fits. We spent some time exploring this place. I think we all came out with a skin elbow or a bump on the head. But it was worth it.
We headed back to the beach, caught our ride back to where the White Squall was anchored. The first mate had made lunch, BBQ chicken, saffron rice with chunks of apple and pineapple tossed with peanuts, a garden salad and beer or rum punch. After lunch we set sail and headed for Cooper Island for the best snorkeling yet. We were greeted by a territorial barracuda that stayed deep for us to pass. School of yellow fin tuna swam across our heading. The sea floor changed from deep and grassy to a shallow reef that was full of life and color. Sea anemones, sea urchins, parrot fish in full color were all apart of this amazing show. Water logged we returned to the White Squall.
After getting everyone back in one piece we set sail back to Tortola. I was exhausted and passed out.
I woke up as we pulled into the marina. It was busy with four large sail boats doing a sailing school for high school students. They were having the time of their life, what a cool school to go to as a kid!. We got home, it was late and we were all tired from the long day of vacationing. I grilled us cheddar burgers topped with lettuce, onion, tomato and avocado, made home fried potatoes with onion, garlic and orange bell pepper and served with cold Heineken. After we ate the sounds of the night once again entranced us, one by one we stumbled off to bed.
Today
We got up early, had our coffee. I did not wake to the rooster this morning. I was up before that loud bastard. He makes me miss my BB gun. We packed up the car with provisions needed for the trip today. Headed down to a little marina where we rented a power boat. We were headed to Norman Island for a day of hiking, snorkeling and then lunch on the Willie T then more snorkeling.
Crossing was choppy and we stayed wet from the water coming over our bow. It was not miserable like you would think, it just got us excited for all the things to come. We made it to Norman Island where we found a beautiful cove that had a bar on the beach but no one was there, no one. A rain squall come over the ridge towards where we were hanging out, we took shelter under the roof of this abandoned bar. Once again the rain stopped as fast as it had started. As the rain cleared we saw several boats coming into the lagoon where we were. Suddenly the beach was full of activities. We found the trails we wanted to hike and left the ruckus behind. We trudged up the side till we reached the top of the ridge where the rain squall had come over earlier. We were surprised at the views and the beauty that was there. Flowers, caterpillars, butterflies and birds. It was all overwhelming.
We made our way back down from the ridge, dove in the water to cool off, then back to the boat to head around the point just past the caves. We tied off to a mooring buoy and headed out to what now is the best dive that we have done. It seem that each dive is more intense with sea life. after about an hour or so, it was time for Lunch. We are heading to the Willie T.
The Willie T is a steel hulled barge that was made into a restaurant and bar that boats would come from all over to tie up to her, climb up over the side, to be indulged in food and drink. After a couple of margaritas we ordered our lunch. Started with conch fritters as an app, I had the grilled mahi caesar salad.
After this perfect lunch another storm rolled through, we used that time to have another drink and to purchase some t shirts. At this point we are called into the bar where the bartender had made us a shot ski.
A shot ski is a water ski with four shot glasses attached to it. We are feeling good now. Good music, good food, good drink, what more could we ask for, um how about my sister dancing causing captains of boats to change their destination. It was time to leave the Willie T, we will not soon forget this outstanding stop. We headed for home when another storm rolled through. This one had some lightening. I was heading for Tortola so we thought that we would get one more dive in before returning home. The Indians are a rock formation off Pelican Island. We were told that this was a great spot to snorkel. We found a mooring buoy and tied off waiting for the storm to pass far enough away to not be a threat with that lightening. We donned our equipment and went over the side into the deep blue water. We swam towards the Indians and once again the shallower waters came to life. It wasn't long till we rounded the first turn, our boat was now out of sight. We had to swim hard through a current that was fatiguing. At some point i took in some water and it caused me to choke. I pulled my mask off and coughed the water out of my lungs. Panic started to set in and my team was not around, Not sure how we got separated but now I was scared shitless. I have never been afraid of the water until this day. I found a slippery rock to stand on surrounded by large black sea urchins. I just need to catch my breath. My brother in law spotted that I was in trouble, my sister and my friend were swept off around the far end of the Indians. My brother in law made it back to me, he said to follow him back to the boat. He didn't fully understand the fear and fatigue that I had just gone through. We made it about fifty feet when I realized I could not breath, I was done. I looked up one last time out of the water and behold there was another mooring buoy within a few strokes from where I was. I latched on with all I had as my buddy went for help. It seemed like I had hung on there for an hour. I was so happy to see that boat come around the corner, I quickly swam as though my life depended on it, to meet it. I was safe. We headed home to Tortola and told our stories from each perspective, It was scary how ever you looked at it. We followed a rain squall in to Tortola, I was glad to be back on land.
Im heading to bed now thankful to be able to blog.
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