The 2nd Annual Trip is Being Planned...............

stay tuned! Have dinghy, will travel!!

The Best Island

Ken showed us the coolest island in the BVI on Friday. It was right out of a "shipwrecked" movie. White sand, perfect blue water, and a palm tree that should be used in every Corona Beer commercial. We went to it by dinghy while moored in front of Foxy's Taboo.

BVI Olympics - Platform Diving

After hearing Bill brag all day about his diving prowess (6th place finish in the state of Alabama), Mike L. had had enough. Bill gladly accepted the challenge, and the two quickly headed to the "diving platform".

At 4:45 PM on Saturday the The Inaugural Sunburned, Drunk and Happy Platform Diving Tournament began...............................

Bill's earned a respectable 9.5 from the judges onshore, but he suffered a 1 point penalty for not having consumed enough white wine earlier in the day.

Mike L. started slowly, and ended up posting a 7.5 from the judges. After a quick review of the cooler, the judges awarded Mike a 1 point bonus for the number of beers consumed prior to the competition, thereby ending the tournament in a tie.

As Bill fell asleep on the front of the boat after the competition, he was mumbling "don't want no rematch.............."

Mixed Emotions

Well, today's the day....................

We were up at 6:00 am this morning and had the dinghy on the platform by 6:45. Packing up smelly t-shirts is no fun. I think we all bought a total of 13 t-shirts, 4.5 hats, 6 koozies, 2 sunglass holders and 6 books.

We can't wait to see our wives and kids, but is a little depressing to think of leaving this paradise for 20 degree weather. The blog will be updated with extra pictures throughout this week when I have a better Internet connections, although I highly recommend the Renport company here for their modem and service. Maybe they'll consider sponsoring our Mooring Ball Team too.

Ken's New Boat!!!

We are all speechless. The Voyage Charters guys even had the new graphics done within an hour of Ken writing the check. We all just applauded at the dock.

Just kidding - we're still working on Ken.........................

Kenny Chesney?????

We had Banana Whackers at Nathan's (Ivan's), and saw the hand written note to Nathan from Kenny Chesney thanking him for allowing him to film the No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem video there. While some on our boat still question Kenny's sexual orientation..................we drank there anyway. Ha!!

Saturday.................

Well, we've officially talked Ken into buying a boat from Voyage. He has the name picked out and we are lobbying for crew positions. The Mikes have earned their professional status as a "Mooring Ball Team" after having a 100% success rate of not embarrassing Captain Ken during the week. They are reportedly favored in the 2007 Mooring Ball Tie Up Olympics. What a coincidence - the competition will be held in the British Virgin Islands in December 2007. The team sponsors will be Blanchard Caterpillar, Integra Realty Resources and Budweiser.................................

Reportedly, there are serious negotiations underway with the owners of Soggy Dollar Bar and One Love Bar (yes, it does exist, and it is incredible). Future sponsorship announcements will be released on ESPN and Speedvision.

Nirvana for Ken

Ken is on cloud nine - and he should be. After confirming that Cynthia was working today at Harris', we made reservations. Around sunset (which didn't suck, by the way) Ken radioed the restaurant and spoke with Cynthia. He politely asked if we could dock at the main dock in front of the restaurant. Cynthia welcomed her "cousin from North Carolina" and we cruised in like we owned the harbor. All of the other boaters in the harbor were in awe as Ken perfectly navigated the harbor and pulled right in.

Cynthia was waiting at the dock, and promised us the perfect Bushwhacker and dinner this evening. When asked what makes her Bushwhacker the best, Cynthia proudly stated that it's "because I sticks my finger in it to stir it". Yum Yum!!!!

All of the "pimp lights" were on and we could land planes with the amount of light that the boat was putting out...........that, and the reflection off of Ken's teeth because he was smiling so much.

Cynthia treated us to an awesome meal of lobster, grouper, BBQ ribs and chicken!

Foxys Taboo

Awesome meal last night - wild boar, mahi mahi and tuna. We were the last group in the restaurant and we ended up buying the chef a drink afterward dinner. George is from New Orleans and an LSU fan. We had a great time talking with him and hearing about how he ended up down here.

Caption Needed

'nuff said.

Mike Busted in the BVI

After Mike (L) was heard boasting of his top speed while piloting the boat on Monday (12.4 knots), Ken pulled out the trusty GPS to verify his feat. Not even close.......................

BUSTED!

Lobsters and Hurricanes

Wednesday night was spent anchored in Anegada, as all of mooring balls were taken. The dinner consisted of rice, beans bread and the BIGGEST LOBSTERS I've ever seen. OK, so dinner also included a few cocktails and wine.

Thursday morning, we woke up to another rainbow - unbelievable. We headed out with Bill piloting the boat. The dark clouds ahead would have intimidated most..........but not Bill. He broke the 1st Annual Sunburned, Drunk and Happy Trip speed record at 11.5 knots (sorry Mike).

Back to the storm.................. a full fledged Category 0.23 Hurricane hit us head on, but Bill never backed off. The two yahoos from Irmo rode out the storm on the front of the boat while drinking a beer and yelling Arrgh at the top of their lungs. It was nature's way of powerwashing the Mike's - and they needed it.

We're pulling in to have a cocktail to celebrate our bravery and accomplishment............will report more later.

Off To Anegada.............

Wednesday morning, we were a little slower getting started. After refilling the water tanks, we made the long trek to Anegada, where we have the best Internet connection yet. Hopefully it will be fast enough to allow me to upload more photos.

Gorgeous sunset in Anegada!!

Leverick Bay Nightlife

Tuesday night was spent at Leverick Bay, where we were an immediate hit. The fine gentleman in the shabby boat next to us yelled at us to turn the Jimmy Buffett music down. No, we didn't give him the finger........

Bill cooked "burger steaks" on the grill and they were huge. The three that made it off the grill and on the plates were excellent. We are pretty sure that a tarpon enjoyed the one that fell off of the grill into the water.

After quick showers and a few more adult beverages, we headed to Jumbies, the bar onshore. Bill quickly became best friends with the owners, while the Mikes concentrated on getting to know the bartenders.

Tuesday Update - Baths and Sailing!

Ken was "up and at it" at 6:30 am - on to the Baths, where we discovered that he is as good of a tour guide as he is a captain. He had a great time, as we swam, crawled and protected Bill's camera from getting wet. Afterwards, we did a little snorkeling, and you'll be glad to know that, once again, Bill did not have to do battle with any stingrays. I think they heard that he was in the area, so they stayed away.

At one point, a huge boulder almost fell on a group of elderly tourists, but Mike, Bill and Mike came to the rescue!

Afterwards, we raised the sails and headed to Bitter End Yacht Club for a nice glass of juice.......................

First Snorkeling Excursion of the Trip

Luckily, Bill didn't have to save us from any stingrays today, although there were plenty of other ominous looking 4 inch long yellow fish around. Norman Island was great! We took some photos with an underwater camera, but it isn't digital, so those will have to be posted later. When we finished snorkeling, we headed toward Cooper Island. After battling 6 to 8 foot seas, and Mike Love's piloting of the boat - we made it. Bill took a luxurious shower on the back of the boat, and it's almost time for dinner.

In the meantime................more boat drinks!

Weeeee're Heeeeeeere

It's 12:35 PM and we are about to leave Sopers Hole. The boat is gorgeous and we are the first charter users of the it. We woke up this morning to a beautiful rainbow. After being briefed on all of the goodies on the boats, Mike, Mike and Bill decided that if something was to happen to Ken (God forbid), we are just going to break out the flare guns, because we have no clue how to sail. I do, however now know what the "mast" is.

By the way Cathy, Mike bought a boat and named it after himself....... He knew your passion for boating and knew that you would be excited!!

The Boat - One love

The boat...............it doesn't suck! We highly recommend Voyage Charters, and especially One Love.

The Trip

Ken, Bill, Mike and Mike's great adventure to the British Virgin Islands.........

I (one of the Mikes) am along for the ride. Ken is the expert, having been here multiple times and the sailor in the group. We have chartered a catamaran sailboat from Voyage Charters for the first week in December 2006 and can't wait.

http://www.voyagecharters.com/

The name of our boat? "One Love". Yeah, our wives got a good laugh out of that.............................

Anyway............. here is the layout of the sailboat.

http://www.voyagecharters.com/voyage440-layout.html

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What time is it in the British Virgin Islands?

http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/caribbean/british-virgin-islands/time.htm