Friday February 19, 2016

Travel Day

Eric left on an early morning flight for the Dominican Republic reducing our group to 2.  Gwyn and I met for late breakfast and immediately started the departure procedures (bellman, taxi, flight check-in, customs/immigration, security, gate wait). 

Delta 767 

2:35PM - 5:59PM 

STT -> JFK

Delta 4178 

8:59PM - 11:58PM 

JFK -> YHZ 

Due to a tropical rain storm my flight was delayed leaving St Thomas.  I was ok with this as I had a 3 hour layover in New York. 

One last look at the islands

The 8:59PM departure flight from JFK was delayed until 9:25PM 

Reason: they were waiting for a plane. Ok, we need a plane to fly.  I can wait.  

We were boarded as soon as the plane arrived but then sat without moving until 10:51PM when we backed away from the gate.

Reason: 'We are waiting for the paperwork', WTF. Why didn't they let us sit in the airport until they were ready for us. I have a feeling this 'paperwork' requirement didn't just become policy at 9:30PM on February 19. 

Taxi for take-off 10:59PM, two hours late.  

 

Not a good flying day for our group. Eric's flight was redirected to another airport in the Dominican and Gwyn's flight was delayed 3 hours leaving St Thomas. 

1:45AM Arrived in Nova Scotia.  -6C

Shuttle to the Hilton Express 

The End

Til next time....donnie 

Thursday February 18, 2016

I met Eric, Gwyn, Al, & Eileen for breakfast at the onsite restaurant. It was then time to say good bye to Al & Eileen as they were off to the airport. 

Gwyn and went in search of coffee while Eric began the repacking process. In the early afternoon the three of us left roamed the shop laden streets strategically located for cruise ship passengers. We were more interested in frozen rum drinks. 

Lots of street venders

We had a couple of really nice bottles of wine left from our sailing provisioning so we ordered out from the restaurant downstairs and ate poolside. 

Wednesday February 17, 2016

We were quick out of Cane Garden Bay anticipating a line up at Soper's Hole with boats and crew checking out of the BVI's.  And there was.  Scott dropped the dinghy while Renee circled around the outer part of the channel with RS Cape.  With Scott back on board our next task of the day was to check in at St John USVI.  This time, according to US protocol we all had to disembark and get our passports stamped.  We were all admitted in to the US.

We did a short walk to Mongoose Junction where we had lunch and strolled around the shops before jumping back in the Dinghy for the last leg of our journey with RS Cape.  We arrived in St Thomas and unloaded our many bags but before we left the dock we thought it was fitting to take a group picture.

A short taxi ride brought us to the Windward Passage Hotel.  Check-in, showers, and pre-dinner drinks before dinner at Oceans.

Bedtime

Tuesday February 16, 2016

Omelettes coffee and toast.  

After breakfast Eileen, Al, and Gwyn jumped ship and swam to shore.  Eric and I would join them shortly with backpacks filled with the usual beach kind of stuff - sun screen, towels, cameras, hats, and money to buy drinks.  We started off with a bucket of beer.  

Eric and I left the sun worshipers for a while and strolled down the back street where we came across the Callwood Rum Distillery.  Without discussing it with each otter we turned and went in as if it was a predesigned destination. Inside was a dark room with a tasting bar where $1 buys 4 taste samples. We tasted an unpaged, a 4-YO, a 10-YO, and a spiced up after dinner version. We bought a small bottle of the 1-YO and carried on our journey that eventually led us back to the beach bar area where we ran into Al & Eileen at the bar.  3 Frozen Strawberry Daiquiris and 1 Margarita please.  Gwyn swam back to the boat arriving at the same time as us with Scott in the dinghy.

We entered Quito’s for our 7:00PM reservation and sure enough we had the front table closest to stage.  After we all sat Eileen was kind enough to change seats with me so I could easily see Quito’s chord changes.  Thank you Eileen.  By the time we finished dinner we were all ready to call it a day and we did.

Quito Rhymer

We disembark RS Cape tomorrow.  

Monday February 15, 2016

Pancakes with a banana rum sauce and strawberries.

Team snorkel loaded in the dinghy and motored opposite the marina to explore.   

With everyone showered up we pulled onto the dock and filled our water tanks before heading for Cane Garden Bay, one of our favorite spots.

Flamingo looking tree atop of hill??

A closer look

Scott & Renee

Another batch of rum punch was needed.

We dinghied onto shore and stopped in to Quito’s Bar to make a reservation for tomorrow night, strategically planned as our last night on the boat and to hear Quito perform.  Two years ago when here with Marcy, Mark, and Eric we first heard and became fans of Quito.  Last year, we missed him play.  This year, before setting our sail plan, we made contact to ensure we do not miss him. Reservation is set for 7 at 7, close to the stage.

Sunset - Cane Garden Bay

Back to the boat to prep for dinner.  Tonight, Gwyn has the galley, steak & tacos

Gwyn

Sunday February 14, 2016

After breakfast we released the mooring ball and exited the channel headed for Marina Cay where we will be meeting up with Gwyn later in the evening.

Cheese, crackers, and a bottle of red followed by another batch of rum punch.  

Al, Eileen and I went ashore as we did last year. Happy hour was on at the hilltop bar with live music, yes.  One guy played solo as he easily switched from guitar to flute.  He was great.  Craving frozen daiquiris, we then went down to the shoreside bar and waited for Eric to come back on the water taxi with Gwyn. 

Marina Cay

Dinner on board.  They, steak and lamp chops; me, spicy tofu.