We finally had the boat
ready to go sailing on day 11th. It was Thursday and we planned to
meet our friends Glenn and Naomi; who where staying with friends in
St. John at the Westin Resort; for dinner at 7:30. That day Jim got
the dinghy repaired, put on the 2 horsepower outboard motor, and
when the dinghy was in the water, the motor wouldn't start. This was
really serious because, when you are living on a boat and you anchor
out, the inflatable boat is like your car to go on shore. Thankfully
Jim had a spare motor and we could finally leave the marina at 3 o'
clock.
It was going to be an
hour and half trip motoring from St. Thomas. Jim put the scopolamine
gel on my wrist to avoid getting seasick. It was my first time
sailing on the ocean. Even when we were going close to shore, it was
into the wind and there was some motion. I sat down facing the wind
and looked toward the horizon. It was a pleasing short voyage that I
enjoyed a lot.
When we got to,our
anchorage in Great Cruz Bay, it was 4:00, a little bit earlier than
we expected. The place was full of boats, but we found a safe spot to
anchor. That gave us plenty of time to go for a swim, shower on the
swim platform and take the dinghy ashore to meet our friends.
After a wonderful dinner
of mahi-mahi, Spanish rice and salad we planned our next day sailing
adventure. Naomi pulled up a little map and Jim showed us our
destination and the best way to get there. I felt like we were the
crew of a pirate ship, getting ready to find a treasure. Aghrr! That
night I slept on the rocking bed for the first time and I loved it.
Next morning we woke up
at 9:00, we had 30 minutes to get ready and pick up our crew. I was
rushing when they texted: “Do you want to pick us up at the beach
or the dock?” I guessed that the dock was easier than the beach.
We asked if it was OK to do so, and they answered: “I did ask,
security is not around, if you bring sailboat to dock we will jump on
and leave. Can't get in dinghy from dock.” As soon as we got to the
dock, security showed up and said we couldn't be there, gave a card
to Jim and wrote down the name of the boat.
With everybody on board,
the feet cleaned of sand and the bags put down below, it was just a
matter of minutes to raise the sails and head to Leinster Bay. As our
Captain said the night before, it was a little rough for a while
because we were no longer protected from the waves and winds by the
island, then is was smoother and nobody got seasick. Once there we
picked up a mooring and went snorkeling. Jim took us to the
snorkeling spot by dinghy and then he swam back to the boat towing it
with a line around his waist. We saw the most colorful fishes,
sponges and corals I've ever seen. Then I collected some shells and
rock with Naomi on the beach and swam back to the boat with hands
full of natural treasures. We got back to find out that Jim had lunch
ready: guacamole, hummus, honey crisp apples, baby carrots, chips and
red salmon salad.
Red salmon, capers and
dill weed
1 can of red
salmon
2 tbsp mustard
1 tsp dill weed
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar
2-3 tbsp capers
Yummy! He took us to
heaven and back a hundred times. To finish our wonderful day we did a
hike to Anneberg sugar ruins. Cheers to our great entertainer Jim!
Hints of the day: coffee
or cereal before sailing is not good for new boaters; soda and chips
settled the stomach.
AnechyNotes
