A little slice of paradise

January 17, 2016

Benure's Bay on Norman Island has become our go-to place to unwind after the intense work of getting Megerin ready to sail again.  We love Nanny Cay and it is so interesting to watch all of the activity there-everyone is going somewhere or coming back from somewhere, people are climbing masts and polishing hulls, and spending money - usually lots of it.  So we have been here for four nights now doing not much of anything whenever we please and not spending a dime.   It is a secure bay with crystal clear water, no beach bars and good AT&T connection.  With food and drink in the fridge along with excellent weather it has been a happy place.  Today, on to Peter Island.

Last view at Nanny Cay beach

Aerial view of Benure's bay on Norman Island.  

View as we are going in to anchor - picture does not do it justice.

Flying Steeler colors in the BVI.  Across the water is the island of Tortola  which takes 1-1&1/2 hrs for us to sail to.  The lights are beautiful from here at night.

Sunset - looking toward the island of St. John in the USVI.

While snorkeling yesterday we saw this beautiful fish under a rock but didn't know what it was.  Looking it up on the internet I identified it as a lionfish, a venomous invasive fish that could cause disaster to the reefs as it is multiplying so rapidly it is killing small reef fish.  People are told if they see any to spear and kill it until they figure out a way to get rid of them on a larger scale.  Evidently they escaped from an aquarium in Florida in the "90's during a hurricane.

We saw this spooky guy yesterday and identified it as a file fish.  About 18 inches long.  We usually snorkel reefs close to shore thus see only smaller fish - fine with me, I'm a sissy snorkeler.  

Ahhhh……the BVI, what is it about them ?

January 6, 2016

   We woke at 3AM to make our 6:05 AM flight to St. Thomas via Miami.  Preparing for this lifestyle change seems to be getting easier, which is a little scary as we kept thinking “surely we have forgotten something very important”.  We rented a car the day before to leave at the airport, as last year Yellow cab was a near disaster,  returned our Comcast box,  forwarded the mail, cleaned the apartment - and managed to go out to eat at the Sewickley Hotel, our favorite pub, the night before. The flights were on time and smooth.  Then we got to the ferry terminal on St. Thomas.....actually nothing bad happened but the potential is so HUGE.  After purchasing tickets, the “bagman” - that name is actually printed on his shirt - comes around and very cheerfully takes your luggage out of your sight.  Will we ever see it again?  We proceed to the waterside waiting area, which is interesting - especially watching sea planes landing or taking off - but the most rivoting is watching them load the luggage on the ferry.  We were on the Bomba Charger, which has been around at least since the 1980’s, and it is known as the “fast ferry”.  The crew throws the suitcases from the dock to the boat (tip - do not put breakables in your suitcases),  and we watched to make sure ours did make it on instead of in the water first.  Then we board with absolutely no announcement that the ferry to Tortola is due to leave soon.  If you are not smart enough to hang around then “too bad”.  Also, there are no instructions re’ life saving equipment should the ferry get into trouble.  None.

   But, arriving at West End, Tortola, is still a thrill and the welcome at Nanny Cay Marina Hotel seems very genuine - we feel like we are at home!  Peg leg’s beach bar is the best we have been to and the same bartenders are there.  We get our usual - mango slaw for Sandy and chicken pot pie for Ray.  The pie is delicious and I wonder why I never try to make it.

    Before we left yesterday we were feeling nostalgic for Sewickley - the skies were crystal blue though the temps were below freezing -  but we realize again that a change in scenary is what makes us appreciate what we have.  And BVI scenery is amazing.

In the boatyard getting some bottom paint and hull polish.

  

What a morning view here at Nanny Cay.  I did not alter this photo at all.