The continuation of “The Lionheart, Part 1″

We awoke to beautiful sun, yet again, and after some exploring and snorkeling, set sail for the mainland once more. It was there that we resupplied on some already low items, and also got Hanna’s bag from the airport, which had finally arrived. We stayed the night there, and ate at a really nice restaurant, and enjoyed another late night together. At the rising of the sun, I was up and at em early, as I was every day, and helped ready the vessel, and start breakfast. Our next stop was a really cool little cove, on the other side of the main island, and we spent the whole day at a beach, that was perfect for surfing, with the kayaks, and also finding coconuts to drink from. There was no limit to the fun and adventure that we got ourselves into. That night we slept under the stars, but were rudely awakened by rain, and were forced to spend the remainder of the night indoors.

Our destination the next day was the Jost Van Dyke, but on the way we stopped at Sandy Cay, a gorgeous little island, that was actually the location of Mobbsie‘s wedding. We played Bocce Ball, Kayaked, and lounged in the sand, another tough day. Continuing to Jost Van Dyke, we moored next to several other sailboats already there, and also a few larger ships that brought many other visitors. It was still never very crowded, and we managed to get some great Christmas pictures done on the beach there. Many more painkillers, (the drink) were had that day, and we ate at a place called “Pirates”, and also ventured into the famous new years day party headquarters, “Foxy’s”. Lots of history was contained in those places, and lots of good times for many people, and we were a part of it!

The next day was a long one. We started out early, set sail and moved along silently, with only the sound of the waves breaking on the bow and the wind in the rigging. So peaceful, and relaxing, even when we had to rush quickly to switch our tack, it was the rush that added to the fun. We made it through a narrow channel, with only the wind as power, and once on the other side headed to Norman Island, the place that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write “Treasure Island”. We moored at an awesome little place, away from all the other boats, and people, and there we had probably the best night of the entire trip. We did some diving, snorkeling, shell collecting,  and lounging. Then after a huge down pour of warm rain, a dried up pond became a mud hole, and some how we began a mud fight in the middle of it all. We felt very primal, but had way too much fun acting like little kids.

We then cleaned up back on the boat, and went to the beach for a bonfire, drinks and loud music. It was then that we got a special treat from our Captain, Mobbsie, and officially became part of the Lionheart family. It was such a great time, and we stayed up long into the night. The next day was our last full day of adventure, and it was well spent. We went beach combing, at a beach littered with junk and odds and ends that had drifted in from other countries, it was quite a sight. Then we climbed up the mountain, to the top of the Island, Explored some old ruins, and then sailed around to the bay, and spent the remainder of the day hanging at the “Pirates Bight”. It was a picturesque closing of the Sailing adventure, and we shared some great family moments that day. That night was our last upon the boat, and it was emotional.

In the morning, we sailed our last time back to the mainland of Tortola, and then said good bye to our Captain, who seemed just as a part of our family as the rest of us. It was such a privilege and an honor to sail under his flag. The rest of the day was spent readjusting to land again, and just kind of relaxed and did nothing. John and Hanna left, so we were down to eight. It was also Christmas day, and since we had done our Christmas on Thanksgiving, we ended up at a local black Baptist Church, for a Christmas service, thanks to an invite from our cab driver. It was really cool, but kind of awkward. The next day we went for a drive across the Island, experiencing some really steep, scary roads and drivers. It is amazing that we didn’t have any car problems. We found a nice beach away from town, thanks to Mobbsie once again, and spent our last day there, swimming and exploring for the last time. It was a great day.

In the morning we had to bid farewell to what had become almost a second home, and loaded our cramped car again. At the airport we had no problems, except that we were all sad to leave. We had a few hour lay over in Puerto Rico, so we took a cab into town, and traveled around the town a bit. It was a nice break in between the long travel time. Once airborne again, most of us slept or passed the time talking about our amazing trip. Back in the states we got to experience the thrill of going through customs, but thankfully it was not very busy, and we all made it through. We looked a bit out of place, with our tan skin, and shorts, since it was winter time, but we didn’t mind, it was a great feeling. Many hours later we arrived back in Idaho, recovered from Jet lag, and got back to the cold life. The experience was so amazing, and the family time spent together will never be forgotten. And we will always remember the Lionheart, Mobbsie, and the Island life that become a part of ours even if only for a short while. It was truly a time to remember.

Through this trip we learned some very valuable things. First off, traveling on a sailboat, with no one else but your own crew and captain, is much more enjoyable than other forms of vacations. You are able to totally be in control of what you want to do each day, and are not limited to a certain schedule or list of events. Second would be that when you rent a car in a British settlement, make sure you are able to adjust to driving on the left side of the road, it can be a hair raising experience. Also we learned how to make painkillers, if you would like the recipe let me know. And of course we learned how to enjoy time together, with all of our family, and to create lasting memories.

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As the first Island loomed in the distance, I had to pinch myself to make sure I was not dreaming. It was the first time in my life that I was on my way, with my family, to a tropical paradise, to live on a sailboat for a week, and soak up the ever present sun. My whole family, all ten of us, were en route to the Island of Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, or BVI, located in the Caribbean Ocean. It was a trip of a lifetime, and we were so excited!

It was a long tiresome trip however, lasting nearly two days. Originating in Idaho, we then went to LA, then to Miami, which is where we met up with our sister, Naomi, from New York. From there we flew to Puerto Rico, then finally arrived in Tortola. It was a gorgeous sunny day, when we touched down, and after a very cramped ride to the Rental car place, we arranged our vehicle, and headed to the hotel located in the marina that also held the sailboat that we would be boarding in a few days. Although, since it is a British Settlement, they drove on the left side of the road, which took a lot of time to get used to, but we left that up to my Dad.

The following days were spent getting acquainted with our new surroundings, and weather conditions, figuring out the Island way of life, and taking it easy. It was still three days before we would head out on the Lionheart, the name of the sailboat, and it was time well spent. Hanna, our oldest sister, and her husband John, arrived the following day, and the airline managed to lose Hanna’s bag, with everything in it, and we would have to leave the next day without it. Thankfully the other sisters pulled together, and had spares of everything. You just have to make the best of the situation. We were then all together as a family, which had become a difficult endeavor, since my sister was in New York, and I in Alaska, so we were so thankful for this chance to enjoy paradise together.

The next day we met our captain, Mobbsie, and immediately became part of the family. He was a cheerful, laid back sort, but was very knowledgeable in his job, and we would come to find out how blessed we were to be sailing under his command. He was a Paramedic/Diver/Sailor, originally from Australia, but had since then become captain of the Lionheart, Married, and had a little girl. He gave the rundown on how the trip would go, and some of the options and rules, and shortly after, we loaded our gear, boarded the vessel, and we were underway.

Due to our first destination being into the wind, we ended up motoring out of the marina, rather than sailing. It was a thrilling first day, and we all were on deck for show. It was so surreal, but it was happening. Our first stop, was Cooper Island. The water was so warm, and clear to the bottom, so some of us donned our snorkels and fins and hopped right in, others, with soaking up the sun as priority, headed to the beach in the dingy, named the “Lion Cub”. Those of us in the water saw lots of fish, and I saw an Octopus, and a Barracuda. Already we were having so much fun. That night, and every night to follow, we slept on the boat. The quarters were tight, due to our large group, but still very comfortable, with bathrooms in each room. Although we ate at a bar or restaurant nearly every night, we also had our own food on board, and cooked a lot of our own meals. It was the first day that we were introduced to the “Painkiller”. A traditional Caribbean drink, that was basically rum and fruit juice, but the result was very enjoyable, but you had to be careful, because although the taste was fruity, it was still powerful stuff.

The following day was much of the same, except we got to sail for the first time. All of us had a turn at the helm, but some relished it more than others. We worked as the crew as well, and ran lines and cranked winches, to tack into the wind, and also tied up at the mooring buoys. Our stop for the day was at the Virgin Gorda, which held the famous, “Baths”, a Spread out area, littered with huge boulders, that created an amazing place to explore, for snorkeling and swimming. We had a great lunch upon the top of the island, and listened to live music. Things just kept getting better. That evening we set sail once more, arriving at another Island to stay for the night. We ventured out in the kayaks, and also got to see huge Tarpon surface at the back of the boat, under spot light, truly amazing.

To Be Continued…

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