Sunday, January 18, 2009

Sailing Days 3-4: Virgin Gorda & Anegada

Dec 29: Monday we awoke with a plan to get to Virgin Gorda. It was a debate how to go about it - we wanted to visit the Baths, but with sailing traffic being so heavy with the holiday, we needed to get up toward the Bitter End before sunset so we could have a mooring that positioned us well for our trip to Anegada the next day. We decided to forgo a stop at the baths and head right to the end, with the plan being to catch a cab back down to that part of the island when we arrived. The trip was long and wind was not cooperative so we motored most of the way. I missed much of the trip b/c of a nasty head cold that forced me down below deck and into bed for most of it. We made it to Leverick Bay only to find that the dingy was really not working properly and we'd need to call in a repairman. We never made it to the Baths, but that just gives us a reason to return someday. At Leverick, there were some shops and a couple of bars/restaurants that we were able to see - it was nice to get on land and wander around for a bit.
Since we didn't leave the area, there weren't many photos. My brother got this shot of a distant ship that had decorated its mast to look like a Christmas Tree - it's a little blurry, but can you make out the green triangles topped with a red star? It was very festive!
Dec 30: Tuesday was our big trip to Anegada. This is a small little flat island that is actually a coral atoll - great snorkeling, friendly people and a 12 mile trip from the next closest island. Our day started with a nice sunrise over Leverick as Dad set out the bumpers for us to get more water and ice at the dock.We sailed all morning to arrive around 1 pm. Getting there was a nice sail, smooth seas and gentile winds. It was pretty relaxing!

Looking back, we could see how Virgin Gorda got its nickname as the "Pregnant" island - can you see the outline of a lady lying in the water? We debated whether her head was to the right or left (we think right) - but who can be sure?

Looking ahead, we tried to make out Anegada. It is so flat and unlike many of the other islands that you really had to strain to see it. Basically, we were looking for trees in the middle of the water. Crazy...but doable!

We navigated into the shallow channel and found our spot outside Neptunes Treasure - the restaraunt where we had reservations for New Years Eve dinner.

Once we got anchored, it was again time to explore by land. We all piled into the digy, Dad as our chaufeur and Mom as the on-board photographer as we went ashore to see what there was to see.

Mike and I headed off to the left while Eric and Holly went right (to the bar!). We walked the road to Pomato Point, hoping to catch a glimpse of the flamingos on Flamingo Pond. Unfortunately, no pink birds, but the beach was incredible.

Along the walk, I found a home with the perfect relaxation spot - outdoor bar, hammock and palm trees all just overlooking the waters. You might even put a massage table out there...Gorgeous!

We headed back toward "town" which was a couple of restaurants and the Anegada Reef Hotel. This was a shot of the excitement from just down the beach...

Along the way to "town" we stopped for an obligatory shot climbing a coconut tree - there were little steps on it and everything! Unfortunately the steps were a little wobbly so we never actually reached our coconut. I think they might have planned it that way...

We found Eric & Holly and stopped at a colorful bar for some afternoon cocktails. Behind us were a group of guys from the midwest - Indiana, Michigan and Ohio...I guess you never really are that far from home! Also in the white tanktop was our favorite bartender, Sam, who entertained us thoroughly with his rendition of Please Don't Go Girl by NKOTB. Island men singing New Kids...now THATS entertainment!

We got the dingy back to the boat for some stunning shots of the sunset - and us in front of it...


So ends another day in the Caribbean!

Sailing Days 5-6: All Anegada

Once we got to Anegada, we stayed for a few days. Our first day, we spent at Loblolly Bay - a gorgeous beach with grass umbrellas and miles of snorkeling.Our perch for the day....
Underwater, we saw schools of fish, turtles and all kinds of coral!

That night, we enjoyed an amazing sunset before heading to dinner.


New Years Eve was that evening and we had a blast getting everyone in the dingy and riding to the restaurant: Neptune's Treasure.
Most everyone had carribbean lobster, but Mike had a pan seared steak.



One of the other families there brought neon necklaces that their kids passed out to everyone there. It was super festive and gave us all something to glow about. After dinner, we bar hopped down the beach to a few more establishments. We enjoyed more time with our favorite bartender, Sam
Some got tired, so Mike and I brought them back to the boat. Billy had had a wee bit much, and ended up misjudging the gap b/t the dingy and the boat and, as Mom said, "Fell into the drink!" We were all laughing as he swam us to the swim ladder. After that, Mike and I went back out to the Reef hotel for some authentic music. You can hear some of it here - the picture was too dark since I didn't have the flash on. Still you can hear the band! Rigga digga digga digga!!

It started to rain a bit, so we made our way back to the dingy, but the rain was fleating, so Mike and I celebrated the turn of 2009 on a hammock watching the fireworks from the surrounding islands. It was truly a memorable moment.

The next day was a lazy start, and we decided to have another day on Anegada. Mike and I kayaked to West End which was quite a ways, or so it felt. Got some good photos along the way...though not always so clear as we were nervous about taking our underwater digital camera out of its water-tight case!

We decided to lave early in the morning for Jost Van Dyke...next post!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Sailing Days 6-7: Jost Van Dyke to Tortola

The last few days on the boat were very purposeful. We woke on day 6 with the plan to get to Little Jost and then over to big Jost Van Dyke. Along the way, we were lucky enough to find dolphins swimming among our front pontoons! Eric had his camera at the ready to capture them.
Once we arrived at little Jost, we went on our last quest for a "ball." This is a large balloon like thing we can attach the boat to in a very secure manner. Eric and Mike were the lookouts.
Once we were all hooked up, we took a hike to the "bubbly pool" - a natural tide pool that channeled water through to a small swimming hole. The pool was quite crowded the day we were there, which made it tough to really ride the gauntlet. Still, it was cool to sit in the natural bubbles as the waves came crashing in.

On the hike back to the boat, Mom walked into a stump wearing only her flip flops and broke her little toe! We tried to bandage it up, but had run out of ice at that point. Best we could do was make her a drink and enjoy our last night on the boat.

As Mom rested, Mike and I went for one last kayak around to see if we could see the harbor at big Jost.

Because it was late in the day, we didn't think we could get a ball, so we stayed where we were for the night. We did family pictures looking across the inlet between big and little Jost.

The next day, we sailed back to Tortola to drop off the boat. We arrived in Road Town to end the trip on Blue Water Bound. We said our goodbyes to the family and Mike and I traveled to the Long Bay resort. It was a beautiful place, with well manicured lawns, inviting beaches and rum punch where ever you looked. :)


We spent time on our veranda, overlooking the resort, sipping rum punch and repacking for our trip back to St. Thomas and then to back to Boston. It was the best way to end our vacation...together, relaxing, and among breathtaking scenery.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

We got SHOT in the BVIs

On our sailing trip around the British Virgin Islands, we got SHOT! By a local photographer that is! Below are photos of the Johnsons and Johnahues in action aboard Blue Water Bound.

There were 13 individual shots - some good ones of the boys at the helm

Towards the end, you can see me and Mom relaxing at the patio/lounge.

This was the rough day, with winds at 25+ knots. We actually got to 8 knots under full sail. I got a little queasy with all that sloshing around, but luckily didn't get sick. Sorry, no pictures of feeding the fish!

More personal photos and stories to come...Happy 2009 everyone!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Pre-Christmas at the Johnahues

This past weekend, we celebrated pre-Christmas at our home,
hosting the whole Donahue clan for dinner.
I had a grand time decorating our new dining room
"Martha Stewart" style with a table set for 10!





Just for kicks, I did the kids table up too~
I was surprised to learn that we indeed had enough chairs!
All the guests brought a little something to share;
Julie brought this adorable cheese!
It was too cute to eat - we just took a picture of it.
The cow seemed to watch over our appetizer table for the rest of the night.

Gifts were shared and laughter was heard; it was a terrific dinner with family.
Our china is now fully broken in and all the nieces
raised their champagne ciders to toast to the holiday season.

We are off to sail the Virgin Islands for the holidays!
Wish us well against the Pirates of the Carribbean
We are sure more adventures are sure to await us in 2009!
Stay tuned...