Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
< br>We sailed all night under beautiful, star lit skies. After the sun came up, crew members went aloft to set more canvas. The Virgin Islands lay just ahead. We passed Round Rock, and as the ship turned left to enter Sir Francis Drake Channel, the spanker sail was taken in, and the yards braced square for our new course downwind. Virgin Gorda, Tortola and many smaller islands lined the passage as we sailed down the picturesque channel. As we admired the passing island scenery, several yachts sailed close to admire majestic Sea Cloud II under sail.
Midway through the morning David Barnes hosted a LEX Forum about the future of the Caribbean. As showers dampened the deck, we gathered under cover of the Lido Deck awning. The topic prompted interesting discussion and even more questions among us.
Conditions were just right so Captain Karlsson decided to take the ship through the narrow passage of Soper’s Hole. Tortola lay close off our starboard side, while St. John and lesser known, small islands lay close off our port side. We passed cozy harbors and interesting homes perched on the hillsides, and then turned north to the small island of Jost van Dyke.
Our afternoon was spent relaxing on the white sand beaches of White Bay. The water was irresistibly warm and inviting, and many of us tried snorkeling, though visibility was limited. We spent the second half of the afternoon on an adjoining beach, conversing and sampling ‘Painkiller’ rum punches at the Soggy Dollar beach back bar. Many of us practiced limin’ – the Caribbean version of relaxin’ and talkin’ ‘bout nothing important in the comfortable shade of a tropical almond tree.
Dinner was on deck this evening: an expansive barbeque featuring dorado, butterfish, lamb, beef, pork, salads, etc. We had the added challenge of balancing plates and occasionally holding onto wine and water glasses to prevent things from sliding off tables as the ship rolled. Backyard barbecues rarely have such motion and excitement, so the whole experience was quite fun for us! Through it all – the rolling of the ship and sliding glasses - the impeccable 5 star service of Sea Cloud II’s hotel department never faltered.
< br>We sailed all night under beautiful, star lit skies. After the sun came up, crew members went aloft to set more canvas. The Virgin Islands lay just ahead. We passed Round Rock, and as the ship turned left to enter Sir Francis Drake Channel, the spanker sail was taken in, and the yards braced square for our new course downwind. Virgin Gorda, Tortola and many smaller islands lined the passage as we sailed down the picturesque channel. As we admired the passing island scenery, several yachts sailed close to admire majestic Sea Cloud II under sail.
Midway through the morning David Barnes hosted a LEX Forum about the future of the Caribbean. As showers dampened the deck, we gathered under cover of the Lido Deck awning. The topic prompted interesting discussion and even more questions among us.
Conditions were just right so Captain Karlsson decided to take the ship through the narrow passage of Soper’s Hole. Tortola lay close off our starboard side, while St. John and lesser known, small islands lay close off our port side. We passed cozy harbors and interesting homes perched on the hillsides, and then turned north to the small island of Jost van Dyke.
Our afternoon was spent relaxing on the white sand beaches of White Bay. The water was irresistibly warm and inviting, and many of us tried snorkeling, though visibility was limited. We spent the second half of the afternoon on an adjoining beach, conversing and sampling ‘Painkiller’ rum punches at the Soggy Dollar beach back bar. Many of us practiced limin’ – the Caribbean version of relaxin’ and talkin’ ‘bout nothing important in the comfortable shade of a tropical almond tree.
Dinner was on deck this evening: an expansive barbeque featuring dorado, butterfish, lamb, beef, pork, salads, etc. We had the added challenge of balancing plates and occasionally holding onto wine and water glasses to prevent things from sliding off tables as the ship rolled. Backyard barbecues rarely have such motion and excitement, so the whole experience was quite fun for us! Through it all – the rolling of the ship and sliding glasses - the impeccable 5 star service of Sea Cloud II’s hotel department never faltered.
