REPORTS FROM THE RIP: Paradise and some great pics

Ah paradise…. Virgin Gorda at the east end of the British Virgin islands boasts some incredible places to visit. There are a few nice quaint little marinas and numerous secluded bays to anchor in. Last night we pulled into Levericks Bay Marina, Virgin Gorda BVI. The marina sits in Levrick bay, a calm deep bay with super clear water. The docks are very nice and there is a small resort on the beach here. On Friday nights they host a Big BBQ with Live music and Jumbie dancers. ( Danceres on 6 foot tall stilts and are dressed in gard that makes the night a colorful spectecle )

Last night after arriving we walked up to the BBQ and had some great grub. Afterwards we watched the Jumbie dancers and the crowd for a while. Its so much fun to watch vacationers from all walks of life learn to relax and cut loose. After a few adult beverages, there were people dancing to the band and with the Jumbie dancers that I promise you, have not danced in years.

Two days ago, We fished the south drop of St Thomas. We only saw one fish all day. It kind of lazily swam up behind a teaser but never bit. Then yesterday, we fished our way from St Thomas all the way to Anagoda, BIVs. That area is called the North drop. In the coming months Blue marlin come there to Spawn. We started just north of St thomas and got a bite fairly early. It was a decent Blue marlin but unfortunately after a brief fight, It pulled the hooks. After that we trolled the north drop contour all the way around to Anagoda, There was a 10 mile stretch where the water turned very green and I had to push out fairly deep to find the Blue water. By the time we reached Anagoda, the Water was perfect and deep blue. The area looked great, with bait and all kinds of life, But we never saw a fish or got a bite.

Today I think we are going to explore a bit and do some snorkeling. Then possibly fish agin on Sunday.

…………… It is now Sunday. We did indeed spend the day yesterday Snorkeling. But first we Took a taxi tour of the island of Virgin Gorda. It was beautiful The taxi was a Pick-up truck modified with benches in the back of it and a shade cover over it. Mr. Das ( Mr Dependable ) was our driver. His nick name should be Mr crazy driver. The roads and hairpin turns were only matched by his " aggressive driving. While I doubt we were ever in any kind of danger, it was just a bit harrowing. The taxi seemed to now the steep mountain roads just as good as a mountain billy goat. The views from the cliffs were breath taking …. Or maybe it was that last hairpin turn at the edge of a cliff. Afterwards we snorkeled the dog islands for a better part of the day. Even though it was a touch cloudy, the visibility was amazing. The Dog islands are three small islands that jut straight up out of the water. They boasted lots of sea life and some outstanding snorkeling. In the afternoon we returned to Virgin Gorda and went to Bitter end marina. This is one of the coolest little marinas you will find. The marina is small but it is attached to a resort. The resort is one of those places that you all have forever wanted to go to. There is a water front board walk that runs the length of the marina and the small resort village. There is a bar , a small bakery/ grocery, A restaurant, An outdoor movie theater, a dive shop and many more quaint features. https://www.beyc.com I could spend months here. One problem with being here is that Tyler would probably lose his mind while trying to catch a tarpon. He was pretty frustrated last night, as he tried for hours to get one of the many tarpon swimming in the clear water behind the boat to eat. Our night was topped off with a water taxi ride over to Saba Rock Restaurant. http://www.sabarock.com I think we are going to do some island hopping today, then maybe fish tomorrow