Boy does this week need to hurry up - and slow down. Getting ready to go on vacation - hurry up and get here.... actually getting ready to go and getting all the work done before I go - SLOW DOWN!! I need more time.

So Mara where you taken off to????

Mara, we chartered through the Moorings when we did the BVI run. Who are you chartering with? I am in the planning stages of our June 2008 trip with them again...absolutely awesome time.

I am off to Tortola with a group called Womanship and am getting my bareboat certification. This is a woman's only sailing school and I am really excited. For anyone that has ever had to learn how to sail with a "salty dog" - nobody yells... that's their motto.

As for who we will charter with in July - don't know yet but we have 3 companies lined up - Moorings, Footloose and TMMI. After I am finished I will go around with my little certificate and see who will allow us to charter without a captain. So we'll see. I'm really looking forward to this - I'm just psyching myself up for this saying - I can do this - I can do this.

Mara...way cool! Can you send me info on Womanship? We really liked the Moorings. Nice little hotel right there on the property. Go to Fat Bobs (I think that's the name of it), or Hog Fat Bobs...for dinner, it's a fun place There is also the Rainbow Children's Home in Road Town, not far from the Moorings (about a five minute cab ride). If you have any extra room in your luggage, they are a boys and girls home for displaced kids. Kindergarten all the way to 12th grade. We took two large garbage bags of things for them and their little eyes got as big as quarters when they saw them. We had hair stuff for the girls, and the basics like shorts, undies, socks, and some toys. Just a thought. The cab driver thanked us about 20 times on the way back to the hotel for thinking of the kids.

There's also a good restaurant on the other side of the island (of course, can't remember the name now of the town, or the restaurant) but I will jog my memory. Locally owned place, small, and they have a local artist shop in the back where you can buy local art.

Sounds like a great time and accomplishment --
YOU CAN DO IT Mara!! YOU MOST CERTAINLY CAN!

I can't wait to hear all about it and pics too!!! Now get back to work and get ready!

Mara, I loved Tortola ! My fav. restaurant was the Sugar Mill. It's on the west side near Long Bay.

And Smuggler's Cove is probably my most favorite-ist place ever. It's a beautiful, beautiful island.

You will enjoy... I'd like to see the sailing information too if you have it handy to email. ;)

omg This could turn out to be a gal BT bareboat cruise!!!!!

What a great concept for a business... sounds like a really nice trip
Womanship Sailing

OMG, this made me just look at our BVI pictures...waaaaa! We had such a good time.

Coco Plums in Long Bay...whew, it was bugging me.

This is the owner, my friend Lina and Rod.


And Michael, me, Lina, Rod, and Normal

Can I come?
I have wine, and I'm a chef for my friends.

oooohhhh....Jerry, maybe you and Louise want to join us in 2008?

And here's an interesting article written about one of their 3 day voyages. The captain that they are talking about is the captain for the vessel I will be sailing on. I'm so excited.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/daily/womenhelm.htm

Mara, you are going to have so much fun, and what an experience!

I'm really excited - and nervous as I said. I don't think I overpacked but what do I know. All I know is that I am doing one softsided carry on bag only. This is my - drive to Charlotte, fly to LaGuardia, get to JFK (don't know how yet but it can't be that much of a problem), fly to San Juan, sleep all of 7 hours, get back to the airport and fly to Tortola. At least on the way back it is kind of a straight shot - Tortola to San Juan to Miami to Charlotte. One question for my San Juan travelers - do you clear US customs in San Juan?

Yes.
What a blast Mara.

Mara, on the way back only.

We could only do the one bag thing (ended up being two each because of our dive gear...lol). None of our luggage arrived with us to Tortola...but we got it before our "boat left." lol!

Have fun, Mara! Sounds like a great adventure and I can't wait to see pics afterward!

Interesting you guys are talking about the BVI, one of most favorite links is a blog by a charter captain in the BVI's. I read it every day and this week they have a ladies charter (with a photo of them skinny dipping, Timmmmy). Make's me very green.

Mara...sounds like a wonderful time you're about to have. DO let us know about it ALL when you get back. Prayers for safe travels

Kobi in Virginia

Cecil, what a great link. I want to go on a girlie adventure like that and wear green mask, drink wine and skinny dip! Mara, is that close to what you're going to do? hehe

Sounds like a fantastic adventure, Mara!!! Cynde, Kelly, did you two get the chance to check out the restaurant at the Cooper Island Beach Club??? What about Willie T's????? We were there - chartered with North / South Yachts - about a hundred years ago, got a guided tour of the RMS Rhone, did a bunch of dives on our own, and had a blast!!! I know the the original Willie T was sunk in one of the hurricanes, but I also heard they rebuilt, or got another boat for the job.

Mara - VERY Jealous here!!!!!!

Bill

I was on the Cuan Law two years ago and the Willie T was going strong... on my was it going strong. What a GREAT time. I don't know if I'll be able to get out on Sunday and dive but I sure would like to dive on the Rhone again - I really like that wreck.

Thanks all - I'm looking forward to it - I just have to remember my razor and I'll be good to go!