The Baths
Another morning yoga session, this time with the backdrop of Guana Island's magnificent cliffs, covered in cactus and booby birds. It's so wild and untouched looking. We swam around Muskmelon Bay once more, then Heather organized a photo shoot for FINIS, as they had sent her a bunch of suits and gear to try. After, we had a great brunch with eggs benedict.
After brunch, we pulled the anchor and headed for the Baths on Virgin Gorda. As we were leaving Muskmelon Bay, sailing past a massive rock formation called Guana Head, guide Will and guest Mark saw a huge Manta Ray leap out of the water, twice. Cool. I was below washing dishes. Dang.
The Baths is on Virgin Gorda is a jumble of massive granite boulders that line the otherwise white sand beaches there. It has created a network of grottoes you can walk through (we did), and just offshore the massive boulders form my own personal swimming course. It's like the mountain biking of swimming. Instead of swimming in a straight line, you twist and turn between the boulders
as water surges through, all while checking out beautiful coral and wildlife, like the baby hawksbill turtle we swam with today. The surge was up a little, so we got shot from between the boulders sometimes. The swim ends at a bright white sand beach that has a boulder that looks like a giant fist. Our guests now have a tradition of climbing between the fingers for group photos.
Back on Promenade, Captain Bazza and Felix set a spinnaker, and we sailed downwind back to Tortola. I made 3 pitchers of painkillers that disappeared quickly, and Kerry set out some cheesy dip and crackers.
Back at the dock in Road Harbor, Promenade's crew scurried around, already beginning to prepare for the next charter due to a quick turnaround. Still, Kerry put out a fantastic meal of chicken satay. We piled into the salon for a great slideshow of the week, with photos by Heather and video by Will. Heather, Will and I scheduled cabs for everyone in the morning.
As this trip comes to an end, I'm reminded that this concept is really working. My guests are happy. Word continues to spread, and our trips are filling up. This group of guests has been really fun to work with, chomping at the bit to swim every day. I hope they all return.
This trip done.
Cheers,
Hopper