This was a big day!
Our day started with a couple of hours sail to one of the British Islands’ hot spots, “The Baths.” The Baths are a national park, and basically, this series of huge boulders where the land meets the sea. There are trails and lots of climbing through them, with a great view of the water through some spots. The way to get here is also unique. There are mooring balls near the shore, and then you take the dinghy to get close. But there is nowhere to beach the dinghy and leave it on shore. Instead, you tie up to a rope line about 100 yards off the shore, abandon your dinghy, and swim it from there!
After that was another hot spot in Virgin Gorda, Saba Rock. It’s a huge anchorage with several bars and the Yacht Club. This was certainly one of the fancier stops (well, fancy for the islands, it’s all still right out of a Jimmy Buffett song, and fancy means a couple of buttons on your shirt and hopefully shoes).
One of the unique things in this anchorage is the “Rum Runner.” Picture this red fishing boat parked right in the middle of 75 million dollar catamarans. Inside the fishing boat is a guy and a bunch of slurpy machines cranking out margaritas, daquereis, and all sorts of other frozen drinks. While he’s making drinks, another guy in a small inflatable dinghy cruises the whole anchorage, and when you get thirsty, you wave him down and place your order. He runs over to the “Rum Runner,” gets your drink, and delivers it to you waiting on the back of your boat. I mean, does it get much better???
This day was truly one of the highlights of the trip. Great sailing, great stops, and if I have not said it yet, great people!
