Embedded Files
Interline Airline Pilots Sailing Regatta
British Virgin Islands; October 15-22, 2009
October 15, 2009
Day one! Thursday
Trellis Bay, Beef Island, Tortola
IT’S A PARTY IN THE BVI!!!
I’ve arrived! And it didn’t take long to understand that I was entering one helluva party! Carl and I left Miami yesterday bound for Tortola, the capital of the British Virgin Islands. Immediately, it becomes apparent that I have better get my groove on, if I am going to survive a non-stop eight day, snorkeling, diving, drinking, dancing, costuming and simply just hitting it up with loads of “hotties”, island hopping Regatta sans several Catamarans and dingys and lots of really cool “airline” folks.My adventure is supposed to begin on the 17th, Saturday morning. Part two of a 10-day international airline pilot regatta sailing race. But Carl and I, “the stowaways”, as it would be termed are flying on miles via American Airlines and arriving two days early was our only option. Certainly, this is not a bad thing. We snag a room on Beef Island at John’s place, The Beef Island Guest House, literally within walking distance from Tortola’s airport and right next to where the party of the night is located. An island BBQ night of dancing and carousing, our group of mostly American Airline employees, are all dressed as devils in red. While other airline employees like Southwest are studded out as Grecian goddess’, Continental’s flaming cowboys (yes that would be the boat of 7 men and one lady—lucky gal-dressed in brown spats bearing heinys and pink—yes pink—cowboy hats), Delta’s school girls sporting high socks and short skirts, and other unknown airlines employees such as Alladin with his genie outfitting the lower half of the body surrounded by four women bearing noisy outfits made of coins, playboy bunnies, jail breakers, and on and on…And then there was Paul-not in costume unless you count his buff bod a costume, from Los Angeles to whom I took a particular liking and hope to fly out and grab a tour of Cali someday with him as my tour guide…he invites me to “his cabin” but while the hook-ups are obviously often and “easy”, I must respectfully decline. I’m just not there yet, but what a welcoming party that surely will provide incite as to what I am about to enjoy for the next week. When I was told what happens in BVI, stays in BVI…ahem—Vegas would be jealous! And then here I am blogging about what’s happening in BVI…And it’s day two already and while I did not wake this morning with an awful hangover—Grey Goose baby! I do sport proudly already two bruises on my legs and I have not officially secured my cabin on the boat. Did I mention I am a groupie? Having no association with the airline industry other than to frequently fly them, about 10 percent of the total is termed as such. So for the day I am still a “stowaway groupie”. But I have been graciously invited to attend a little trip over to Virgin Gorda to attempt a modified version of scaling the “Baths” in hopes to reach the bar at the top considered “the prize”. Thank God, I brought my aqua shoes. And the color of those shoes determines which of the nine bathing suits that I brought will be barely covering me today.
Yesterday, some nice chicks (shout out to Lucy and Flavia) brought Carl and I over to our future boat, “HOT DOGS AND WARM BUNS”, one of four 47’ CATs our commando officiando and super administrator of “making this happen” retired American Airline pilot Jim Tullis put together, identifiable by its big yellow flag with a picture of a large hotdog on it. But on Hot Dog, Captain GT Alexander is in control and I wanted to meet these two guys straight away. Immediately we were greeted by our future roomies, a couple of South African, Cathay Pacific hotties, Andre and Marious, who immediately show me pictures of “last nights Party” consisting of pole dancing where he has the enviable job of being the ladder for all the ladies to hoist in order to get up that pole as he snaps away, the man with the chiseled chest, Russel, The sexy blue eyed dude from Manhattan's West Village, Patrick, awesome Norma, the current “Galley Wench” who will respectfully turn over her duties to me come Saturday, the incredible Robin, the psychologist who provides therapy for 50 cents as well as warnings on which guys to watch out for, and of course, June, the captain’s girl friend who was kind enough to get our “devil” costumes to us. I am already in love with my fellow crew. There were many boats tied up and anchored, topless girls, beer floats, boarders on dingys and the like. Carl brought his blow up doll as she holds his beer for him—you can guess where, when he is in the water. I really don’t want to know what he does with her at night! His roommate Sean who deems himself a “private pilot” insist he has no association with her-whatsoever!
So I am off to Virgin Gorda for the day and am looking forward to the adventure that awaits at the “Pirate” party over at Marina Cay tonight. We will be meeting up with the actual racers from all over the world. Can’t wait—the party continues and suddenly I am feeling very sorry for those I left behind back in the states who really wanted to come. Perhaps you can live vicariously through me! Andre is picking me up in the dingy at 10—and the party continues…
October 16, 2009
Day Two, Friday
Virgin Gorda
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PIRATES, THE BATHS AND A WHACKED BUSH!!!
So today I am headed off to Virgin Gorda to visit The Baths which are actually large granite boulders that you can hike to the top where a bar and a large swimming pool are located. Beneath the boulders are located small caves with water running through. The hike is not so difficult and the “prize” is a few games of beer pong in the pool, of which I suck profusely at followed up with several Bushwhackers, a drink mixed with rum, vodka, kahlua, baileys and coconut. Our group, “hotdogs” meets up with the various other sailors and captains and the party continues to grow. Later GT takes us over to another place rumored to have THE best bushwhackers and the headline news in the bar reads "Man denies sex act with a hen." Everyone is having a ton of fun and in fact there is hardly any time to even don our pirate outfits before enjoying dinner until the next party. We head over to Marina Cay for an all out crazy party where I trade my friend Terry for a bottle of rum! Just kidding! The costumes are incredible. Each one even better than the next—alas everyone is actually dressed and the flashers seem to be missing this time. I am almost accosted by a tall French guy named Olivier. I finally meet some of the actual racers. The Interline regatta is raced with mono hulls and there are three classifications. The 50.5 footers have the handicap and must take off last. It amuses me that one of the Italian boats has the duty of “dropping” the actual start ball AKA orange buoy, as since when was an Italian ever on time. It seems to me that job should have been given to the Austrians in lederhosen—and yes they actually wore them to one of the parties. French Olivier and Paul from Cali asks again for a roommate for the night. But I escape alive and well and yes I sleep alone. No I am determined NOT to be on that dingy of shame. Terri has arrived and meets us at Trellis Bay where our room is and gets a first hand glimpse of what an airline regatta consist of. Funny that none of the racers even seem to know who is in the lead. Does any one really care about the race at all? I think not. This is all about partying and sailing and just having a damn good time. So Terri, Carl, Sean—who has been labeled the “Good Sean” and myself head back for a good night sleep because tomorrow is crew change day and we get to assume our positions on the boat. That means we have some work ahead of us. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
October 17, 2009
Day Three, Saturday
Road Town
RE-CREW, RE-USE, RE-UP!!!
O.K., I’ll be frank, today is not the most exciting day. We lose four of our crew, chiseled chest Russ of Ft. Laudy, Wall Street Manhattanite blue eyed Patrick, Former galley wench Norma, and the Psych Robin. They are replaced by Carl, Terri and Me, the new galley wench. So now we are seven and we board and assess. Unfortunately not naming names and all but some of the first crew failed to “clean” their room or worse, their bathroom. So duties must commence before sailing and Carl, Terri and I head out to the supermarket for provisions. We spend $ 446.00 on food and booz for our crew of seven for the week. We think we have spent too much but are not sure. Everyone puts a buck fifty in the kitty and Andre is named the Kitty Master. After the end of the week any left over money is divided amongst us all. Mooring, docking and anchoring fees come out of this kitty as well as community shots at local establishments and other extravaganzas. After boarding and unloading, I assign cooking duties as we sail off and it is a rejueve day for the first crew. The second loaders are a bit ansy but we get it that the first crew need a rest period. So we patiently wait for tomorrow when we can get jiggy with it and meet up with the rest of the crews. In the meantime—it’s me and Terri’s night to cook dinner, so we work a bit more…
October 18, 2009
Day Four, Sunday
The Dogs & Saba Rock
SAILING 101, SNORKELING, AND COWBOYS!!!
Today proves to be a monumental day. For this is the day that I sort of learn how to sail. When Cap’t GT told me to yell loudly when preparing to tack (a hard 90 degree turn), every boat within eyesight heard me and our entire crew cracked up. It didn’t really help that I tacked in the wrong direction the first time, jeez. GT is a very patient m an. There is so much to learn when sailing. Although we were on a 47' Cat, we rarely used the engines, relying mostly on the winds. One must zig-zag across to get to a destination while keeping an eye on the wind gauges, while watching those little doohickeys pasted to the sails in so that their tails are flapping in the right direction, while keeping your eye on the mark, while not steering to quick in either direction so as to not whip the sails back and forth, while….man this is exhausting. I have decided after two hours of sailing, I would rather go lay out in the sun on the trampoline and fix myself a little cocktail. Because that was a lot of work. Alright so we have sailed over to “The Dogs”, a little group of tiny islands halfway between Tortola and Virgin Gorda because today we will snorkel. We have been grouping our crews together so that those that want to dive will go on one boat and the snorkelers on another. Other times we dive and snorkel in the same areas. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to see at the Dogs. I have certainly seen far better in the Florida Keys. Someone saw a sea turtle but I missed it. I was disappointed because I really love sea turtles. But the day was monumental for another reason. Pretty Jeannete back in the states has read day one of my blog and has decided to catch the next flight out to join us making our crew a group of 8. The only issue was that we were meant to be at Saba Rock at the North end of Virgin Gorda for a party dressed as cowboys and it happened to be Sunday and oops, the ferries don’t run today. So it was arranged that a supply freighter would pick her up at the docks near the airport on Beef Island, drop her at Spanish Town in Virgin Gorda where she would taxi to Leverick Bay and we would then pick her up on the way to Saba Rock in our CAT. Well the idea may have sounded good in theory but…when we arrived at Leverick Bay, no one claimed to have seen or heard of her. A search ensued. And finally after a couple of hours it was confirmed that she did in fact arrive on the flight into Beef Island; it was further confirmed that she did in fact catch a ride with the supply boat and eventually it became known that she was actually over at Saba Rock already waiting for us! It would seem an attractive man rescued her somewhere on Virgin Gorda and sailed her to Saba Rock. At least I think that was how the story went…
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS JEANNETTE?
View Where in the World is Jennette? in a larger map
GT and June are on deck for cooking dinner tonight. Next up, we all head out to the Rock for another party with a cowboy theme that proves to be the hottest party yet! Just look at me with all those Alitalia Pilots! Believe it or not these guys were the most well behaved of all the countries represented excluding maybe the Austrian Pilots. They sat at tables alone with no girls every night. Most were married and wished to stay that way. These photos are just for fun! They were great sports. Ciao Bello!
SAVE A HORSE; RIDE A COWBOY!!!
October 19, 2009
Day Five, Monday
Jost Van Dyke
AND THEN THERE WERE NINE
Today we have picked up a new crew member. It happens that a girl named Nichole was taking a weeks sailing course in order to be certified as a captain able to sail ships up to 50.5 ft. She had just finished her program when Marious met her at one of the islands. He continued to meet up with her and it was suggested and approved that she could join our crew and contribute to the kitty. It was immediately clear that she knew how to sail and it was nice to have another capable set of hands versus people like me who could hardly contribute other than to manage the kitchen, on board. Nichole would stay with Marius in his cabin along with Andre and the three of them did the same rotation on the trampoline and dining room couches like Jeanette was doing in order to have a bed to sleep in. Nichole was a great addition to our crew and I enjoyed her “happiness” on the boat.
Not much really went on today. We didn’t snorkel, dive or do anything but sail today. A few minor repairs needed attending to and local mechanics boarded to do the fixing'. Carl and Jeannette were on cooking duty and I actually read some of the book that I brought entitled, I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. Later the party was to be held at Foxys on Jost Van Dyke and the theme was “Jungle Boogie”. The costume being simply, sundresses and shorts. We would once again meet up with the racers and find out who is winning so far. The default answer from the Italians is always that they are in the lead. The default answer for the Dutch is that they are in the lead. The default answer for the Austrians is that they are in the lead and the default answer for the French is that they have no idea who is winning but it ain’t them! Later it was confirmed that the Italians were down to thirteenth place and in fact at this time, the Dutch were in the lead. After we all returned to the boat, each having found a ride back, it is determined that Jeannette, Terri, and myself will pack a bag for the day and leave early the next morning on a mono hull with four guys who will take us anywhere we want to go for the day.
October 20, 2009
Day Six, Tuesday
Jost Van Dyke
SAND, SPIT AND LOBSTER
Our ride has arrived at 7:45 am as discussed. It is quickly discovered that we are missing our dingy. Who brought the dingy home last night from the party? Ha-since the dingy was usually first come, first serve on our boat and the Cap’t GT was usually on it, everyone had just assumed that someone else took the dingy back. GT must have thought the same because no one brought it back to the boat and there it was back at the dock at Foxys just waiting to be stolen. GT got a ride and recovered our dingy, the same dingy that I would later use to kick butt in a dingy war.
Now that we are on the mono hull, we decide to stay where the party is supposed to be at over on Sandy Spit, do a little snorkeling, and grab a few rays. There is only one palm tree on the itty-bitty island and we set up camp there. Two of the guys from this boat are so ridiculously trash ed by 2:00 in the afternoon, one almost gets run over by the dingy and the other cant stand or speak anymore. Oh Boy! A couple gets down and dirty in the bushes behind us and the guy decides to sport his birthday suit for us all to see. He walks around with it flinging up and down. Terri begins to photograph. Needless to say, we are happy when we see our hot dog flag anchor up at our island. There is supposed to be a treasure hunt, where a bottle of rum was buried the previous year and a map to guide us to its hidden location. Alas, Queenie forgot the map and no treasure was to be found. Bummer! But it’s still good. Sandy Spit has incredible snorkeling. I am a happy camper after all. After enjoying a little bit of happy hour, I engage in a small but still effectual dingy war. I quickly realize that when it comes to water guns, I've got some damn good aim! I love this kind of stuff. My "GAME ON" mentality rushes past all other sense of rationalization and I declare war on Nichole's bathing suit top and am able to get the bottom untied. Neither of the other two boats stands a chance against me and Andre and my girl partner. We rock! I just know I'm going to develop bruises showcasing my talents as a shooter. I'm all over that boat. My girl partner (so smooth dear) notices out of the corner of her eye that some of the guys on one of the docked boats looks like they are assuming the position one assumes when filling water balloons. We attempt to unite with the losers, oops I mean the other dingy's people but they, Marious and Nichole miss the opportunity. So we formulate our own plan of attack as we quietly dingy alonside their boat and aim our guns just under a huge sign on the side of their boat. And wham...they don't even see it coming as we blast them over and over again and leave unscathed!
At this point, I have been laughing solid for a good 45 minutes or so and I have decide to throw all caution to the wind and take a shower off the back of the boat instead of in the silly small bathroom. I really do not care at this point about modesty. I have finally reached the pure ecstatic state of island feeling! It feels liberating.
Later tonight, we are to have dinner at Sydneys where the course is Spiny Lobster. I happen to be a big fan of spiny lobster (Florida gal and all) and prefer it over New England any day of the week. I know—I’m a minority. Well, these were some huge lobster and it has been my experience that spiny lobster is far better when it is smaller in size. Such became true to the point in this case. Such beautiful, delicious looking lobster on our plates and sadly no flavor at all and felt like I was chewing rubber since unfortunately it was overcooked. Sorry Sydney’s $49.00 per person? ugh! I couldn’t even eat it. These tails were flown in fresh from another Caribbean location as lobster is out of season right now and not enough to go around from the immediate island area. What a waste, really! Ahh- but before dinner hour, GT gave us all a yellow “hotdog” shirt in the basic t-shirt style and a huge roll of tropical fabric to make sarongs out of. Each person was to create their own individual outfit out of the two items and wear this to dinner at Sydneys. There are definitely some imaginative folks on our boat. Just take a look at these pics!
October 21, 2009
Day Seven, Wednesday
Sandy Spit & Norman Island
A SOGGY DOLLAR WILL BUY A PAINKILLER AND A WILLY T
WOW! Today is our last “real” day here in the BVI. And I’ll be damned if it isn’t one of the best. Terri and I have breakfast duty today and then we get to enjoy more of this incredible snorkeling and diving around Sandy Spit. It is decided that there is no reason to look elsewhere, when we have already found this incredible place. Time is lost as I am out there exploring for minutes it seems until I hear whistles and blowers and the sound of a search dingy looking for me. Apparently I have been gone much longer than I have realized. I was just so lost in the miracles under the sea. The one day that I should have brought the underwater camera, I failed to. And there I watch a school of squid all lined up horizontally about a foot apart each, the first one clear the other six purple—they glide up and down with the current. They are delicate, graceful and they don't dart away; they stay in front of me for as long as I care to observe. And then the jelly fish get me—damn. One small sting on the back leg alerts me to find a new location. A few small barracuda urge me on as well. It is just the right depth for snorkeling here. Not so close that you are in fear of accidentally touching a dangerous urchin or fiery coral but not too far away either. It’s a pristine set up and I hate to go. I could snorkel all day here and take in the sea’s vibrant energy.
But not to worry, because we are on our way to the Soggy Dollar, home of the infamous Pain Killer; a drink that is made with pineapple and fresh nutmeg—whoa, one will do you good, two will knock you off your feet, and three will knock you out! Mmmm-yummy! I like these things and I am on my second one while shooting pics of just about anything. People are feeling irie! Some tops begin to come off, some mooners begin to appear and I am convinced that we should make a picture of alternating men and women with the men mooning and the girls topless and call it T&A! But everyone is too drunk to figure out how to do this in unison, so we opt to moon one of other boats along the way later in the day.The crew is saying something about brownies and that we should bake them but we are out of eggs. I connect with the other galley wenches from our sister boats and we begin to make a few trades. No one wants to buy any more food items since technically tomorrow we all go home. So I make a trade for two eggs and Vodka from Kristin, the galley wench on Doug’s boat in return I shall supply Doug’s boat with Baileys, Chips and hot brownies. Well now back at the Sog gy Dollar things are winding down and as the name dictates, you basically swim to the Soggy Dollar from your anchored boats. I had a raft with a cup holder and managed to swim to Doug’s boat with a full Pain Killer in the raft cu p holder, snag two eggs and h old them one in each side of my bathing suit top, hoping my boobs don’t crush them. Success! And after boarding my boat, Jeanette makes us really good brownies. Now the South African men have dinner duty tonight and we anchor all three CATS together just off of Norman Island near an old ship that houses a rugged bar, called Willy Ts. People like to jump from the upper deck into the water, preferably naked and it was a very popular sport actually till it was rumored that someone died there a couple of years back in an attempt to jump ship. We are headed to the old looking ship later after dinner but for now, we all head over to Doug’s boat for Happy Hour and then a little dancing to the “ I Like Big Butts and I cannot Lie” song!Alas dinner is served, clean-up follows suit and no one bothers to change for Willy Ts. A bathing suit is almost too much attire. And since this place is known for its body shots, we decide to start a little early by taking the only booz left, a horrible awful, bottom of the barrel tequila and have body shot contest with each one outdoing the other with a more extravagant and increasingly PG becoming R rated material.
Even I, succumb to having a shot of tequila devoured out of my belly button by a generous drinker. “Umm, yeah, uhh, wait I think I like this—ohh can you do that again please, sir”…And we are off to Willy Ts and yes I have been Willied by the bartender, in this case it means that the bartender has strategically placed a temporary tattoo of Willy T on your body with his mouth solely. I also have a shotski for the first time. And if you don’t know what that is, like I didn’t, it a ski with four holes and it holds four shots and four people hold the ski and drink at once! The music is getting louder, the dance floor crowded and the body shots wilder. Eventually, the majority of us take off back for the boat. Andre, Carl, Marious, Terri and I find an after party on another killer 50.5 footer boat and continue to party it up until finally, we all declare that we have had enough and must find our pillows somewhere, but not before making grilled cheese sandwiches and popcorn on the boat first. And then it becomes the time to acquiesce—we know its all over now. Tomorrow we must clean, pack, return boats, return home…
October 22, 2009
Day Eight, Thursday
The Moorings Dock, Road Town
WHAT HAPPENS IN BVI STAYS ON THE INTERNET
Those are the words of Mr. Jim Tullis, our Master Crafter of Adven Tours. That first phone call to Jim sealed the deal and I knew that this was going to be one of the more memorable trips I have been on. Better yet, the planning had all been done for us. He did not let down. There was not even that feeling of anti-climaticism. Rather, pure exhaustion and total liberation was the result of this incredible action-adventure. I had to sleep for twenty hours when I returned home, grateful to have a real whole king size bed to myself; grateful to have a nice big warm shower awaiting, grateful to have met so many people over the last eight days. It's time to reflect. Suddenly, the days begin to blur and I can't remember what day we did what anymore. So much action and so much fun--an adult Disney world. But thanks to my notes, I am able to put all the pieces together and write this blog for my friends and other people on the internet that are considering a trip like this. Do it, I tell ya! Definitely do it! It will be an incredible memory that will stick with you forever. But for now, I must board my flight back to the states and get back to the reality of life. Hmm-wait I live in Delray Beach; I'm always on vacation. Are you jealous yet?
Many thanks to: Carl --without you I would not have been on this trip; Terri-who supplied almost half of these pictures; GT and June-man I already miss you two. Thanks for taking charge of the herd. You rock!!! Special thanks to Jim who made it all happen! Til we meet again...
Christina
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