Echo at anchor, Diamond Cay JVD
It has been a busy few weeks on board Echo!
We’ve had a couple of visits on our calendar for a while and we’ve been busy getting projects done and things in order around the boat.
We have plenty of space but it took some time to sort through things to find the proper home for all our stuff and to make room for visitors to be comfortable and to have a place for their stuff. After a fair amount of arranging, rearranging, negotiating with each other for space and rearranging yet again, we were ready for visitors. Last month we did have 4 people for an overnight and things went well. Four people and a week’s worth of their stuff is a different story altogether.
Interior Pictures of Echo
Jeff’s brothers Kurt and David along with their friends Amy and Deb were due to arrive on February 21st and we were pretty well prepared by about the first week in February. On February 9th we heard from Brian and Katie wondering if they could visit along with their friend Meggan. They had been planning a ski trip but there was not much snow so they thought maybe the islands. We were thrilled and things came together quickly, Brian and Katie arrived on the 17th, Meggan the 18th.
Maybe you see where this is going…
On the morning of the 18th Jeff and I decided to look at a calendar. We don’t often look since we seldom have any thing scheduled. We quickly realized our first 3 visitors would still be with us when the second group of 4 arrived. We were in for a houseful!
Once we got over the initial shock and let all the interested parties know things would be cozy for a few days things started falling into place. Everyone was excited for the opportunity to see each other and we were happy for the company!
With everyone flying in and out of St. Thomas we headed East to Virgin Gorda with Brian, Katie and Meggan. We would visit the baths and North Sound with them then work our way back a bit to connect with the next group. Kurt, Amy, David and Deb would spend their first night in Charlotte Amalie USVI and take the ferry to Road Town BVI where we would pick them up.
Brian, Katie and Meggan were gracious about moving out of their cabins for the new arrivals. They tried sleeping outside but the nightly rain showers brought them inside. Don’t think they got too much sleep but they were troopers! They took the ferry back to Charlotte Amalie on the 23rd for their flight home.
We all enjoyed one another while hanging out on the boat, swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding and liming on the beach. Most of us had been together for the rafting wedding trip last fall and it was fun to be together once again! We’re pretty sure a good time was had by all.
We are currently anchored just beside the airport in Tortolla waiting for our friends Joe and Cheryl to arrive this evening. We’re looking forward to a week exploring more of the BVIs with them.
~ Mary and Jeff ~
Awesome Pictures, The boat looks amazing.
Thanks Nancy. We are enjoying ECHO for sure.
Hi Jeff and Mary!
I can’t thank you enough for all your hospitality and great planning which made our trip so unforgettable. This was the first time I’ve ever traveled for a week, returned home and NOT experienced that “oh, it’s so great to be back in the comfort of my own home or bed” feeling. I’m sure it was because of both the beauty and comfort of Echo as well as how welcome you made us feel.
I really appreciated how the two of you put such thought into taking us places you knew we would enjoy and your ability to create the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. It was truly paradise!
Thank you also for making me feel so special on my birthday. I could not have imagined a better day! I felt blessed to learn what wonderful family Kurt has and that I could have that time to get to know you.
Sincerely,
Amy
P.S. My only complaint is now Kurt won’t stop talking about buying a boat! Lol!
We are both so happy that we had such a great opportunity to get to know each other. We love the islands and the sailing life and it is a wonderful thrill to introduce it to others. Hope we get to see you again soon.
Jeff and Mary
PS: good luck getting a boat out of Kurt’s head.
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Hi Mary and Jeff, if you are looking for visitors, I am VERY available! What a beautiful part of the world. By the way, our friends in Ponce gave up their condo in December. Stay safe and enjoy!
Sheryl Bare
Hi Sheryl, great to hear from you. It is beautiful around these islands. You would be most welcome to visit. We plan to leave the Virgins within a week or so and then we will be heading south. We are not sure where we will stop, but we are looking to arrive Granada in July.
Sad news on the loss of your condo! (At least your friends did not have to pack up the wine cellar, we emptied that for them 🙂
that sounds great…makes me feel bad not writing the recopies for the causes zoo sorry. I was in the UK for a dear friends funeral, got back here and was sick for almost 3 weeks with the darn flu or whatever was going around:(
So here they are:
Garlic sauce: Half mayo & half greek yogurt , fresh parsley chopped, maggie ( dutch yeast extract) just a couple of drops and than about 3 cloves of chopped garlic…..leave in the fridge for a few hrs or make it the night before even better:)
Cocktail sauce: Half mayo & half greek yogurt & some ketchup, a little sherry or whiskey, maggie
Curried apple sauce: half mayo & greek yogurt, curry powder, little paprika powder, maggie, rasped apple and than make the taste how you like it
Enjoy let me know if you need help…I come and make them
Lots of love from all of us…missing you a lot……Monique
Monique – thanks for the sauces. So sorry about your friend and your sickness, hope all is well now. I just may need your help!