Well it is almost time! I feel compelled to share my enthusiasm. I admit when I was in the BVI last week I thought that I might be loosing some of my excitement about our big trip. Hey, I was there it was great but now I've seen that, been there, done it, you know? NOT TRUE!!! On Monday, the day after I got home I was ready to go right back.
Here are some thoughts leading up to this Saturdays final gathering......
Please come ready to seriously listen and participate in the meeting. We have a lot of info to cover. I want to get through it as fast as possible.
Please make two or three copies of your Passport and bring a copy to the meeting on Saturday. You should leave one at home in case anyone at home needs the info or you loose your Passport. This copy will assist you in replacing a lost Passport.
I will be asking Patti to prepare BVI customs documents for us on Saturday. This will save us time in the Islands.
At the meeting I will be asking our cooks for each of the boats to have a schedule prepared for the cooking and cleaning duty day by day and meal by meal. There should be one person assigned to prepare and clean up after each meal. Additionally we should finalize our provisioning list. We will start buying the items on the list five days after the meeting!
Amy will give a final review of our finances.
I received a call from Nori today. She said all documents are in order and they are ready for us to arrive. We will be the first charter of the season for one of the boats and the second for the other.
Rick and I have prepared a FM transmitter for each boat. We will use these to broadcast our I-Pods etc. through out our boat and to the other boat when we are close enough. FUN!
If you have a 21 channel GMRS radio please bring it to the meeting. It would be nice to confirm the compatibility of our radios here.
The meeting is at 6:00 PM sharp on Saturday. I will start going through your Cruise Book as soon as everybody is here. Please allow two hours for info plus a little extra for the food and drink. I won't be talking for the whole two hours, it is just that when we meet the details seem to come out a little slower.
Barbara and I look forward to this meeting and our time together on Saturday. You are a special group of people and we are thankful for the privilege to make this journey with you.
See you Saturday!
Pat
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
TWO WEEKS TO GO !!!
Last chance to take off those final 3 or 4 pounds!! In just two weeks from tomorrow Barbara, Rick and I (Pat) depart for our adventure.
As most of you know I just returned from a one week research trip to the Virgin Islands. I learned a lot that will make our trip more fun and efficient. We won’t waste time with a steep learning curve. But most of all I learned that you don’t go away for a week on a boat trip and not call home for five days. I am sorry and apologize to each of you who were concerned for my well being. As Barbara said to me I was just “being Pat”. However in this case that is not good enough and I will not let this happen again. Promise.
On the topic of our trip, I obtained a big stack of promotional material from both the USVI’s and the BVI’s. I will share this along with our cruise manual at our final meeting on the weekend before our departure.
Some information I do want to share before the meeting is as follows:
I found polyester “athletic” shirts to be most comfortable because they stay dry and keep you cool. I know the girls are shooting for style, but perhaps you could incorporate some open knit polyester type clothes in your wardrobe. Do not even think of bringing a sweater or light jacket for those cool nights. There won’t be any. It is very humid in the morning around 80 to 85 degrees until the sun heats the air about 5 degrees and “burns off” some of the humidity. The sun goes down before 6:00 PM. While it is cooler after sunset the humidity comes back up making you less comfortable than you might otherwise be with the temperature drop.
While the biting bugs were ever present my use of “OFF” in 30% Deet form kept me safe. I did see one 20 ish girl that had hundreds of bites swollen to about the size of a quarter all over her body. Everybody will get a few bites, just remember to use Deet. Most beach bars and restaurants have a bottle of “OFF” behind the counter for customer use. I will bring two cans plus wipes.
I want to reiterate from earlier meetings a request to keep our meal plans as simple and easy as possible. I can guarantee to you we will have most dinners on shore. Most breakfasts will be ad hock. First one up in the morning turns on the coffee and then you are on your own. Maybe one or two big pancakes and eggs type of breakfasts. Lunch will be a free flowing affair.
If you swim as much as I do then wear your dry (salty) suit all day you will probably get the swimsuit rash I did. Taking off my suit when I get out of the water and applying an antibiotic salve fixed me right up. My rash is gone. I can prove it if necessary.
On a similar note, I sprayed my toes after each shower with Tinactin. I get itchy feet when I visit warm places.
There is a new and very useful type of sunscreen I highly recommend. I will show some at the last meeting.
I was on one of the boats we will be cruising. The other one was in charter last week. The 2 ½ + years since Lysa, Todd, Barbara and I had seen them have taken their toll on the boats and they have lost their new shine. I believe we will still have all the same great fun and functionality we have planned on.
Some notes about our itinerary. There are two basic ways to create a BVI itinerary. They are clockwise (our plan) and counterclockwise. The prevailing winds will determine for us which of the two directions we chose. In the Virgin Islands the trade winds almost always blow from the East. The wind can be South East or North East. If you look at the charts you will see that a North East wind (the most common) would not effect our anchorages on Jost. This would allow for a clockwise start. We cannot know until the day we depart which direction we will go. We do know with some certainty the anchorages of our choice.
In our Caribbean Adventure Book I will provide each couple at the last meeting I will list our proposed destinations and itinerary. Please remember we will always keep our eye on the weather and make adjustments as needed.
After hearing from Scott about using his Verizon phone in the VI’s I called the Verizon service center. I asked to sign up for “I dial” service (international dialing). I just got my cell phone bill from the first days of my trip the VI’s. The .69 per minute rate plus $3.99 per month for “I Dialing” in the USVI’s was charged as promised. I left my charger behind on my boat trip so I did not get to use my cell phone in the BVI’s. I did see others using their phones. The locals don’t get off their phones to rent you a motel room! So I am reasonably certain the $1.29 per minute plus long distance chargers will apply in the BVI’s. Not a hot deal but at least you will be able to make and receive calls in most of the places we will be. This is a tremendous improvement from just six months ago. Recommendation: If you wish to bring your cell phone call your supplier, ask to enable international dialing, ask if your phone will work in the USVI’s and the BVI’s. If they say it will work ask how much the minute rates are? Then use your phone sparingly. If you have Verizon you will get the .69 per minute in the USVI’s and 1.29 in the BVI’s and home rate in Puerto Rico. Cingular (AT&T) works in a similar fashion I am told.
Just some random thoughts as Barbara and I make our final preparations for the trip. See you soon.
As most of you know I just returned from a one week research trip to the Virgin Islands. I learned a lot that will make our trip more fun and efficient. We won’t waste time with a steep learning curve. But most of all I learned that you don’t go away for a week on a boat trip and not call home for five days. I am sorry and apologize to each of you who were concerned for my well being. As Barbara said to me I was just “being Pat”. However in this case that is not good enough and I will not let this happen again. Promise.
On the topic of our trip, I obtained a big stack of promotional material from both the USVI’s and the BVI’s. I will share this along with our cruise manual at our final meeting on the weekend before our departure.
Some information I do want to share before the meeting is as follows:
I found polyester “athletic” shirts to be most comfortable because they stay dry and keep you cool. I know the girls are shooting for style, but perhaps you could incorporate some open knit polyester type clothes in your wardrobe. Do not even think of bringing a sweater or light jacket for those cool nights. There won’t be any. It is very humid in the morning around 80 to 85 degrees until the sun heats the air about 5 degrees and “burns off” some of the humidity. The sun goes down before 6:00 PM. While it is cooler after sunset the humidity comes back up making you less comfortable than you might otherwise be with the temperature drop.
While the biting bugs were ever present my use of “OFF” in 30% Deet form kept me safe. I did see one 20 ish girl that had hundreds of bites swollen to about the size of a quarter all over her body. Everybody will get a few bites, just remember to use Deet. Most beach bars and restaurants have a bottle of “OFF” behind the counter for customer use. I will bring two cans plus wipes.
I want to reiterate from earlier meetings a request to keep our meal plans as simple and easy as possible. I can guarantee to you we will have most dinners on shore. Most breakfasts will be ad hock. First one up in the morning turns on the coffee and then you are on your own. Maybe one or two big pancakes and eggs type of breakfasts. Lunch will be a free flowing affair.
If you swim as much as I do then wear your dry (salty) suit all day you will probably get the swimsuit rash I did. Taking off my suit when I get out of the water and applying an antibiotic salve fixed me right up. My rash is gone. I can prove it if necessary.
On a similar note, I sprayed my toes after each shower with Tinactin. I get itchy feet when I visit warm places.
There is a new and very useful type of sunscreen I highly recommend. I will show some at the last meeting.
I was on one of the boats we will be cruising. The other one was in charter last week. The 2 ½ + years since Lysa, Todd, Barbara and I had seen them have taken their toll on the boats and they have lost their new shine. I believe we will still have all the same great fun and functionality we have planned on.
Some notes about our itinerary. There are two basic ways to create a BVI itinerary. They are clockwise (our plan) and counterclockwise. The prevailing winds will determine for us which of the two directions we chose. In the Virgin Islands the trade winds almost always blow from the East. The wind can be South East or North East. If you look at the charts you will see that a North East wind (the most common) would not effect our anchorages on Jost. This would allow for a clockwise start. We cannot know until the day we depart which direction we will go. We do know with some certainty the anchorages of our choice.
In our Caribbean Adventure Book I will provide each couple at the last meeting I will list our proposed destinations and itinerary. Please remember we will always keep our eye on the weather and make adjustments as needed.
After hearing from Scott about using his Verizon phone in the VI’s I called the Verizon service center. I asked to sign up for “I dial” service (international dialing). I just got my cell phone bill from the first days of my trip the VI’s. The .69 per minute rate plus $3.99 per month for “I Dialing” in the USVI’s was charged as promised. I left my charger behind on my boat trip so I did not get to use my cell phone in the BVI’s. I did see others using their phones. The locals don’t get off their phones to rent you a motel room! So I am reasonably certain the $1.29 per minute plus long distance chargers will apply in the BVI’s. Not a hot deal but at least you will be able to make and receive calls in most of the places we will be. This is a tremendous improvement from just six months ago. Recommendation: If you wish to bring your cell phone call your supplier, ask to enable international dialing, ask if your phone will work in the USVI’s and the BVI’s. If they say it will work ask how much the minute rates are? Then use your phone sparingly. If you have Verizon you will get the .69 per minute in the USVI’s and 1.29 in the BVI’s and home rate in Puerto Rico. Cingular (AT&T) works in a similar fashion I am told.
Just some random thoughts as Barbara and I make our final preparations for the trip. See you soon.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
A Fun Spot
Here is a link you may want to try.
http://www.pussers.com/redbox
Here is the trick. When you are in the BVI's at Marina Cay on the dock you can have someone at home get on the internet and see you on the dock. Is this cool or what?
Check out the gallery.
Pat
http://www.pussers.com/redbox
Here is the trick. When you are in the BVI's at Marina Cay on the dock you can have someone at home get on the internet and see you on the dock. Is this cool or what?
Check out the gallery.
Pat
CELL PHONE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
I have purchased an AT&T "Go" phone for use on our trip. The cost of $28 plus purchased time is very low in my experience. After extensive research I have found that this phone is the best solution to our communications challenge. Verizon phones (most of us have) will work on a limited basis in the USVI. I do not know if T-Mobile or others work at all. I am told to expect a Verizon phone will not work in the BVI's. The only phone that works with any degree of coverage and reasonable cost is a Cingular or AT&T phone. The local phone company in the BVI's is CCT. They are extremely expensive ($200+ to purchase a phone + up to $4 a minute to the states) to use on a short term basis, and we don't want a one year contract.
This AT&T phone we now have will work on the local BVI CCT phone system. Our AT&T phone will cost $1 each day it is used + $0.10 a minute to use in the states and the USVIs. I am told by AT&T if we purchase the $3.99 per month "World Traveler" upgrade the cost of use in the BVI's will be $1.99 per minute instead of the normal $3.49 per minute. Still expensive but we can communicate if we need to. This phone is a "pay as you go" phone. We will purchase a limited amount of "time" to use the phone. We can buy more any time we wish. We cannot get a "big surprise" bill as we will know how much credit is left on the phone account after each use.
I will have good knowledge of the coverage the phone receives after my trip next week. I will share this with you upon my return.
You may wish to give this phone number to people at home that may wish to call you while you are gone. Those needing to get in touch with you should also have the number at VIP Charters. The new cell phone # is 206-304-3150. The number for VIP is 370-774-9224. If we cannot be reached by our cell phone, VIP will be able to reach us and relay a message to call someone.
Pat
This AT&T phone we now have will work on the local BVI CCT phone system. Our AT&T phone will cost $1 each day it is used + $0.10 a minute to use in the states and the USVIs. I am told by AT&T if we purchase the $3.99 per month "World Traveler" upgrade the cost of use in the BVI's will be $1.99 per minute instead of the normal $3.49 per minute. Still expensive but we can communicate if we need to. This phone is a "pay as you go" phone. We will purchase a limited amount of "time" to use the phone. We can buy more any time we wish. We cannot get a "big surprise" bill as we will know how much credit is left on the phone account after each use.
I will have good knowledge of the coverage the phone receives after my trip next week. I will share this with you upon my return.
You may wish to give this phone number to people at home that may wish to call you while you are gone. Those needing to get in touch with you should also have the number at VIP Charters. The new cell phone # is 206-304-3150. The number for VIP is 370-774-9224. If we cannot be reached by our cell phone, VIP will be able to reach us and relay a message to call someone.
Pat
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Takin' One For the Team
Well my shipmate friends, I will be traveling to the Virgin Islands next Friday the 12th of October to obtain as much information about our trip as I can. I will be meeting with our people at VIP and touring the boats we will be chartering.
I have chartered a 25 foot runabout to tour the BVI'S the week of the 15th. I will travel to each destination we have on our trip. I will be discussing our itinerary with "Bob" the Captain at VIP that will give us our chart briefing before our charter. I called Bob yesterday. When I told him I would be visiting him the week of the 15th of October he told me he would take some time with me to help us improve our itinerary. He indicated there are places (off the beaten path) that he would recommend that would amaze us. I will meet with people at the locations we plan to visit. People such as the dive operators, the little beach bars operators and the marina people. I will work to establish an itinerary that will give us a great sunset view from our boats as many nights as possible. This trip I am taking will give us the ability to make better quality decisions about our itinerary. I hope to minimize nonproductive time and maximize time at play. From the discussions I have had this week with people in the Virgin Islands I have already learned how we can make our trip better. I am told we should expect to cruise (motor to our next location) for one or two hours at most on any given day. Bob from VIP told me he has boated in the San Juans in the past and boating in the Virgin Islands is very different. He tells me the focus of each day will be the destination and NOT the journey. I want to assure you I will be working hard to learn how to create the absolute best trip for all of us. In short I will be takin' one for the team next week learning from the people who live there and captain charter boats for a living. I don't mean to be melancholy about the burden I will bear for the group but I do ask you to keep me in your prayers for the price I will pay being in the islands for a week. ....... OK I'm having a great time and I wish you were here. WOW!!! Less than five weeks and we are on the trip of our lives. Words cannot express the excitement and anticipation I have for our trip. I hope to infect you with my enthusiasm for the adventure. GET READY TO HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE.
Pat
I have chartered a 25 foot runabout to tour the BVI'S the week of the 15th. I will travel to each destination we have on our trip. I will be discussing our itinerary with "Bob" the Captain at VIP that will give us our chart briefing before our charter. I called Bob yesterday. When I told him I would be visiting him the week of the 15th of October he told me he would take some time with me to help us improve our itinerary. He indicated there are places (off the beaten path) that he would recommend that would amaze us. I will meet with people at the locations we plan to visit. People such as the dive operators, the little beach bars operators and the marina people. I will work to establish an itinerary that will give us a great sunset view from our boats as many nights as possible. This trip I am taking will give us the ability to make better quality decisions about our itinerary. I hope to minimize nonproductive time and maximize time at play. From the discussions I have had this week with people in the Virgin Islands I have already learned how we can make our trip better. I am told we should expect to cruise (motor to our next location) for one or two hours at most on any given day. Bob from VIP told me he has boated in the San Juans in the past and boating in the Virgin Islands is very different. He tells me the focus of each day will be the destination and NOT the journey. I want to assure you I will be working hard to learn how to create the absolute best trip for all of us. In short I will be takin' one for the team next week learning from the people who live there and captain charter boats for a living. I don't mean to be melancholy about the burden I will bear for the group but I do ask you to keep me in your prayers for the price I will pay being in the islands for a week. ....... OK I'm having a great time and I wish you were here. WOW!!! Less than five weeks and we are on the trip of our lives. Words cannot express the excitement and anticipation I have for our trip. I hope to infect you with my enthusiasm for the adventure. GET READY TO HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE.
Oh....and by the way Todd, I got my Speedo.
Pat
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