Day 7 - Relaxing at WaterLemon

Everyday has been full of adventure and excitement so we decided to stay put here in Waterlemon for the day.  It was perfectly calm and gave us all a chance to recoup from some of the motion sickness we might have been experiencing yesterday.

There was no wind this morning, so it was warm when we woke up.  Sammy and I went for a quick swim to cool down and took showers on the back of the boat before we ate.  We had an amazing breakfast at 9:00 am which included avocado toast (my fav), bacon, sausage, potatoes, fresh fruit, eggs, etc. Breakfasts are served family style but offer so many options.

 

Almost immediately headed out to snorkel.  We left from the boat and drifted all the way around the bay to the far shore.  After an amazing trip we had seen star fish, sting rays, sea turtles, tons of fish.  But we were growing tired so we swam back to the boat.

We had sausage lettuce wraps for lunch with shrimp/veggie eggrolls.

After lunch, we took a hike over to the old sugar mill.  The property surrounding the bay was a sugar cane plantation so we walked over to the national park and saw the remains of the windmill, dungeon, etc.  We marvelled at how such a beautiful place could be home to something so cruel and tragic.

 

We walked back to have B pick us up in the dinghy and bring us back to the boat.  

A few of us decided to go back out to finish the snorkel from earlier.  B took us by dinghy so we wouldn’t get so tired.

It was incredible!  There were so many things got see.  A sea cucumber, barracuda, several sea turtles, spotted eagle ray, a large sting ray, lots of various fish.  I included some pics of the fish we saw, although these aren’t our photos.  

It rained a whole bunch but we didn’t mind because we were so distracted by what was happening under the water.  B got wet waiting for us in the dinghy but he didn’t seem to mind.  The best though was when we would come up, there was a perfect rainbow that fully surrounded the bay and the Blue Pepper - beautiful!

K had some snacks waiting for us: shrimp cocktail and pizza bites along with oatmeal raisin cookies and then another round of chocolate chip cookies when she realized the kids didn’t care for the first.  

Dinner was Parmesan encrusted chicken with risotto with tiramisu for dessert.

We wrapped up the night with Map Time with B, Skip-Bo, stargazing and resting.  It was the perfect ending to another fabulous day. 

Day 3 - A Full Day at Sea

We are crossing into the BVIs today so we need to stop and clear customs in West End, Sopers Hole.  In order to time it out and miss the long waits with the ferry, B thought a slow start was best. 

Even so, Todd was up at 6, I followed around 7 and the rest came up in turn.  Breakfast was served at 9 and it did not disappoint.  There was egg and spinach ritatta, fresh fruit, bacon, apple turnovers, pina colada bread, toast, and some amazing potatoes.  We ate so well! 

Since Sammy’s hadn’t swam the day before, the girls decided to go for a quick swim after breakfast.  Scott threw some bread in the water to gather some fish.  

After that, we got underway and made the short trip across to West End, BVI.    

Once we arrived, we stayed on board as B ran ashore with our passports.  While we waited, Sammy and Cole did some writing, Luke called home and Faith drew.

B also made a quick run to the store for a special request for cereal and then we were off, officially welcomed in the British Virgin Islands.  It was about an hour to get to our next stop.  There were whitecaps in the Drakes Passage but it was still a beautiful day.  Because of the winds, we weren’t sure if we’d be able to stop at the Indians for snorkeling.  However, as we proceeded, the winds died down and the seas calmed. 

Once we arrived at the Indians, K served us lunch.  Shrimp sandwiches (or cold cuts) with a green pepper, tomato and cucumber salad along with Doritos.  It was delicious.  The girls took a quick dinghy ride with B because here they could really go fast. Then we jumped in to swim to the snorkeling area.  The Indians are several large boulders set at the mouth of a bay.  Lots of fish and animals congregate on and near the rocks and the pool that lies just beyond.   

We were only in the water about 45 mins but there was so much to see.  Lots of small fish including needle fish, parrot fish, blue tang, butterfly fish, sergeant major and bar jack.  It was great.

We then pressed on for the 3 hour trip to reposition to North Sound.  The seas were so calm and the ride was just beautiful.  We all spread out and did different things on board.  There was laughing, reading, card playing and a little napping as well. 

We arrived around 6 pm and the sun was low in the sky.  There were many impressive boats in North Sound and we loved taking it all in.  We found a ball for the night and B&K got to work on dinner.  A few of us took showers.  Dinner was ribeye steaks and baked potatoes with apple crumble ala mode.  

Each meal since Day 1, K has been struggling to provide enough rolls or bread.  We go through several baskets each meal.  Finally, we discovered the culprit.  Miss Faith LOVES bread.  So B has now affectionately named her “Bread Girl” and we all marvel at the amount of bread she can put away.  

We wrapped up with map time with B and made a plan for the next few days.  We also finished with the question of the day which Sammy won!  

Everyone was feeling pretty tired tonight after a full day of wind and sun and movement.  But we spent our last few hours talking, stargazing, practicing lines, and wrapping up some work. We all gathered in their kitchen and swapped stories with K&B before heading to get for the night. 

The weather has been perfect.  No rain (but we did get a rainbow as we pulled into North Sound earlier today). Tomorrows temps range from 77-79* - with the cool ocean breeze, it is always the perfect temp.  

So thankful for this place and our time together.