Monday = Rainbow, remora and Pimms.

Sometimes we get a group of guests who just put their heads down and swim, and swim, and swim. I think that’s what we’re looking at this week. We hopped in at Great Harbour, Peter Island, with a destination of Little Harbour, same island. Our skipper would follow us, anchor in Little Harbor, and we’d climb back aboard.  8 swimmers, generally swimming in two groups: 6 and 2. Simon atop the SUP, getting a glutes workout, which he says he needs. We don’t say anything in response. I see a barracuda chasing a school of fish. Wind at our backs, we fly down the channel. A rainbow appeared over Tortola. We stop to re-group and check in on everyone.

When we reached Little Harbour, we could see Rhapsody just leaving Great Harbour, so Simon and I decided to cross Little Harbor with our group. We asked them to swim all bunched up, as this can be a busy time of day with boats sailing in and out of the bay. Much to my amazement, they did. Every one of them swam within a few feet of the other, and we made it across quickly. This is a good sign, there are a lot of things we can do with a group like this. 

After lunch I took a group of swimmers for a hike, which sounds strange, as you wouldn’t think people who swim would do such a thing, but we are a versatile people. The ruins of a residence built in the 1920’s sits atop the hill, and it’s a great place to explore. If you squint your eyes you can imagine what a grand home it was, with fountains and statuary and mosaics. It was partially built on/with the ruins of a cigar factory that once stood here; you can still see some of the 1800s style stone and mortar construction. Back at Rhapsody, we spied a big remora under the boat. These often come close, checking out our potential as a host, but this one seemed oddly skittish, and wouldn’t even let Heather get too near for a photo.

Next destination: Norman Island. Richie sailed us around the corner, through the Drake Channel, and into Privateer Bay. Our Captain holds a license to operate boats up to 200 tons and 100 feet, so sailing this little 52-foot catamaran is child’s play for him. Richie makes us all feel comfortable with his knowledge, confidence, and humor, wherever in the world we sail with him. 

We swam to Angelfish Reef, and some of us rounded the corner into the wide open Caribbean Sea, which was wild with swell and choppy waves. Back at the yacht, we did some freediving and general lounging around. Soon it was time for Pimms!! Cheese filled mushroom caps. The guests converse easily now over chicken, mushrooms, and pancetta over local rice. Life is good on the yacht tonight. OK, it's pretty good every night. The wind howls through the rigging, waves splash at the bow, and we sleep. 

Hopper

Above is a video of our day’s highlights, and below are a few silly items from our crew. - HP