Sailing Disneyland: 11 BVI Islands in 7 Days

Dennis and Doris from S/V Magic were the first to describe the Virgin Islands as sailing’s Disneyland.  We couldn't agree more!  The sailing is fabulous, seas are gentle, there are a gazillion beautiful and fun places to visit, and the people are as welcoming as you’ll find anywhere.  What a great time with our “Seven Day VIP Pass”.  We didn't have to wait on lines, and the rides lasted longer than 3 minutes!  Check out the video of our Space Mountain Ride between Salt Island and Peter Island, where the GPS recorded Kai Kanani’s fastest romp, 11.2 knots surfing the waves (Ok, we confess to motor-sailing).

  

We're about to dock at Penn's Landing, Tortola...parking karma thanks to Vern and Walter!

                                                        

Friday Night pizza dinner at Red Rock Restaurant, a Penn's Landing tradition.  Walter Garrimort, first on the left, is the owner of Penn's Landing and is now a Skyline customer, as we develop his new identity and website.

Janoos helped us dock from his Hylas 54.  Moments later he's talking into his computer on the dock, and asks us if he can show his friend in Poland Kai Kanani.  Took us a second to figure out he was Skyping, and used his webcam to show off the boat.  A day later he offered to buy  Kai Kanani, and insisted I take his card and promise to call him first if I ever decide to sell.  Sorry, Luigi in Palmas Del Mar asked first last year, but you're #2 on the list!

Hiking Sage Mountain.  Can you see the "lock" on the fence?

It's not really that high, and it only takes about 30 minutes to hike up there.

The Universe was shining down on us at the top of the BVI's.  Note the rainbow!

There are no fast food restaurants, not even a McDonalds in BVI.  Where's the beef... on the road?

Leverick Bay Marina, North Sound, Virgin Gorda 

Virgin Gorda, East Coast

Breathtaking views of Virgin Gorda.

The Baths, Virgin Gorda.  One of the most spectacular places on our Planet!

Breathtaking views of Virgin Gorda #2.

Breathtaking views of Virgin Gorda #3.

Partying on the Willie T, Norman Island.  Willy T is a barge/bar/restaurant in the Bight, Norman Island, where the partying gets pretty wild and the girls are known to jump off the upper deck topless.  We met a guy who's parents partied there before he was born...and he was warned not to go too far back in the photo book, or he might see photos he would never forget!  Finding a dinghy "docking spot" is as challenging as the Walmart parking lot the day before Christmas.  All the dinghies look alike - finding yours in a drunken stupor can be quite the task.

Stadt Amsterdam at anchor in The Bight, Norman Island.  Gorgeous!

Queen Mary II at anchor in Road Harbor, Tortola

Sunrise in Jost Van Dyke.  Moments later, Shawn Joseph accidentally hauled our anchor while trying to anchor right in front of us, causing Kai Kanani to quickly drift.  Kevin and Craig awoke only five minutes earlier, in time to start the engine and scurry out with just a scratch to Kai Kanani and the Moorings catamaran.  Shawn took responsibility, the other owner was a decent guy, and the New Year celebration continued!

Safe distance away...as long as somebody doesn't pick your anchor up off the  sea floor!

Soper's Hole, West End, Tortola.  Note the original dockside Pusser's restaurant/bar.

Pusser's menu in Soper's Hole, Tortola.  "Excess on occasion is exhilarating.  It keeps moderation from becoming a habit".  The grilled lobster, conch fritters, potato chip tree and painkillers are really good too!

Pusser's famous Potato Chip Tree.

Grilled Caribbean Lobster at Pusser's.  Yummy!

New Year's eve we joined the incredible revelry on Jost Van Dyke.

 "Foxy's Tamarind Bar, located in the Great Harbour on tiny Jost Van Dyke (JVD), is the site of one of the most enjoyable and raucous New Year's Eve parties in the Caribbean -- Old Year's Night. Revelers come from all around the Caribbean -- the world, even -- to enjoy the two-day festivities with live bands, great food and flowing drinks." http://travel.usnews.com/British_Virgin_Islands/Things_To_Do/Foxy_s_Bar_22084/

The party can start now, we've arrived!

Hundreds of boats were docked, anchored, moored, rafted up...totally insane!

It's a beach party extraordinaire with more than 2,000 partygoers!

The boys from Louisiana at Foxy's.  We ran into them later in Leverick Bay with a flotilla of more than 40 boats and 450  young beautiful people partying their butts off.  Check out www.theyachtweek.com

Kevin about 3 AM.  Not sure he'll remember Jan 1, 2014...probably best.

Key Bay, Peter Island.  After a 15 minute rocky hike, there's a very secluded bubbly pool.  One of the Universe's very special places.

Just a pretty picture.  The more the merrier says first mate Kevin.

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Entering Sopers Hole, Tortola.

Such a good sunset we had to share.

All Tinged up, plus Craig's now famous tuna salad.  I was married to a really good cook and learned a few tricks.  Note the locally grown spinach and lettuce from Aragorn's organic farm on Tortola.  If you don't know Ting, it's a  Caribbean carbonated grapefruit drink.  All natural, it must be experienced!  Yummy!  This was our pre-departure meal before tackling the Anegada Passage.

It was  hard to leave BVI, but Anguilla and points beyond were calling through the rigging.  Little did we know that Kai Kanani vs the Anegada Passage would be a championship match!