Captain's Log

The British Virgin Islands 2007

The following record is of our travels from New Brunswick Canada to Tortola British Virgin Islands March 02nd-11th 2007

Planning

Good times and great memories all begin with a well organized itinerary or plan, long before the actual trip commences as to ensure a positive end result, this research pays off big in dividends. When it comes to a bare boating adventure this planning is as much a part of your trip, as the trip itself, so do your research and provide for possible changes to your itineraries, keeping in mind that nothing ever goes as planned, expect this, so that when it happens there is no disappointments, only a change in the plan.

some suggestions:

1. How many guests and, who do I take with me? Remember the length of time these people will be with you, and ask yourself, if the period of time you will be in close quarters with them is a good thing, a big boat can become extremely small if you do not choose wisely.
2. How much provisioning should I have? ask yourself, do I want to be spending my time doing dishes? what worked well for us was lots of munchies, finger foods and sandwich options for the day, and we planned for a couple of dinners aboard the boat. On the last night of our charter we cooked up everything we had left, this made for a great buffet, keeping mine as well that you cannot bring it back, and if you do its something else that has to be carried down the dock, then what? Both sources of re provisioning, as well as Restaurant options are ample throughout the islands, we even had boats that came along side complete with baked goods in a couple of coves we visited.
3. Research and make use of that home computer before you go. print off every where and everything you came across via Internet while doing research planning or make a CD for your laptop and take it with you, this way you will have options, options, options. We also had a charter guide reference book to the BVI, supplied from our travel agent that I will speak highly of later.
4. Pack lightly use duffel bag, or collapsible type luggage to save room and maximize space.
5. Cabs & Fairs, if you are flying into ST. Thomas US VI negotiate your cab fairs prior leaving, ask to see their rate sheet if need be. The airport due to the volumes of people all arriving at once, can be quite hectic, and my experience here can be summed up as to feeling like a cow herded into a Slater house. Our experience was two cabby's fighting over us verbally, one even going as far as to grab my shirt and draw me to his van, leaving my wife and crew standing on the side walk, while tiring to explain to the cab boss that I was traveling with those people over there, he asked me if I were stupid as I was told 4 times to go with the other people, once we all made it into a cab finally, we were 12 persons to a van that drove to the ferry only 3 miles away, were we were each charged 10 dollars for that 3 mile drive a total of 120.00, in a word a rip-off. We later laughed about it all, as we were determined to have a great time and did. If you can, arrange for a person or company to pick you up at the airport before you leave, ask your travel agent, they will arrange it. Highly recommended.
6. Check your Boat out carefully, check the water, Fuel, oil & fluids to ensure all is in order, inspect the sails on first set, write and notify the charter company or travel agent as need be.
7. Do not forget your passport.
8. Do not worry about the small things in life you are on Vacation.