Well I made it back alive from the Virgin Islands, swearing I wouldn't leave them without a good hangover, and was very successful at achieving that goal. Chrissy and I went to Carnival Sunday night with many of her friends. We drank a lot of Hennessey "toasts" to one another, a very popular drink here, especially when mixed with coconut water. The music was great and we did a lot of dancing. I showed them how a white guy can shake his booty, and am sure it will be a topic of conversation among them for quite some time. I got to sample the local island cuisine dishes, including Pates and Goat water which were delicious. The food everywhere we ate was great and I had the best cheeseburger and hottest chicken wings I have had anywhere. As you know I can hold my own when it comes to hot food and Chrissy is the same, having learned to love it since she was a little girl. We were both actually light headed and dizzy after eating the wings they were so hot.
Chrissy has made many very close friends and she must know half the people living on that island. I was introduced to many of them and found the people there to be the warmest, friendliest I have ever met. Many told me how much they loved her and I could see by their sincerity that they were speaking from the heart. They are hard working people and I can tell you they like to party as hard too.
We took the "new" boat out on sea trials last Friday and she sails as beautiful as she looks. I have attached some pics with this e-mail for you to see. Yes, maybe I am a little proud of her and I am not ashamed to admit it. She is very quick and responds instantly to the lightest touch (just like I like my women). I heard how well the Beneteaus were put together and how well they perform and the trials did not disappoint me. After looking at countless boats I still believed I would know the minute a stepped on the right boat that it was the "one". It was love at first sight and it didn't take long for me to decide to make an offer. I am waiting for the marine survey which I am sure will show no major problems, her condition is immaculate and she is in like new condition inside and out. Originally built in France, she was sailed from Copenhagen to the Caribbean where she is presently lying in Nanny Cay on Tortola Island in the BVI's. My plans are to keep her there over the next year and I will be returning at the end of Sept or so, depending on how hurricane season is going. I will be adding some additional gear (which new boat owner doesn't?) and moving her to a mooring on St John which have a $150 a year fee. A beautiful boat in a beautiful place, I can't imagine how life could possibly get any better. Both my girls and their friends (oh God! here we go again, more 20 and 30 something’s) will be flying down to spend time on the boat with me as well as any friends and any other family members I can talk into crewing for me. She has plenty of room for guests, having three staterooms, each with queen size beds and two heads each with a shower. My days until I return down there will be busy arranging the shipment of the things I will need as well as having the boat looked after during my absence. I have plans on traveling out to California after helping my daughter wrap up what remains to be done on this place so that she can sell it, which should be going on the market next week. Anyways, I will keep in touch and hope to hear from you as well,
My best always to you, Marv
