Promenade Sail Dive Charters Blog - crew life

Where are they? Crew members...

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:28:00 -0700

Copied this bit from my personal blog about having lunch with Connor yesterday, for those who know him....He was happy, I was feeding him!

The next day we had a bit of a treat though! We had lunch with Conor and his girlfriend. Conor worked for us on Promenade when we did fully crewed charters. Now he is living on St John, catching lobsters to sell in the street (really!) and hopes to be captaining day power boats from Nauti Nymph and others from Tortola up to the BVI. Something he is good at, he has such good boat sense..

He says that he had a try out, tandem with another boat and he had to go to Willy T's and White Bay on Jost, about the easiest places for him to know his way too!

Conor loves living on land and having a social life and girlfriend...go figure! I now have an inside channel to get fresh lobsters on charter from him, although I told him I would not pay tourist prices!!!

I will have to post this on my boat blog, as so many of our guests want to know what our crew are doing once they leave...

Oh, and in a F*** me moment, we just paid almost $1700.00 for diesel, fuel and oil..How much can I raise my charter prices???????

The boys seem to think..

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:00:27 -0700

That they get an hour off to go diving! Hmmm..Actually, I just wanted to take a picture of Bazza in his silly little hat!

We went for another SCUBA dive today...

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:51:26 -0700

After a couple hours shopping in Roadtown, I think it was time for some to get off the boat...

Back over to the Rhone for a late afternoon dive...
Looking up the girls waiting for them to jump into the water...

Going through the deep section of the wreck...

This little turtle did not care if we were there or not. He had his face totally buried inside an opening trying to get at something...

Two really beautiful crabs tucked up...

And a nice Spotted Eel..

Going through the shallow part of the section by the prop...

Turtle again...

Pretty rock him in amongst the soft corals..

Then it was also a night dive..(no, I did not take pictures nor did I go it was too cold!) and dinner, which everyone loved!

Back to the land of plenty

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:52:23 -0700

Cross posted...

Can I rant just a little?? Why not! You can always skip, but by doing this I have the information out of internet for others searching for it!

Airport shuttles between LAX and Home. On the Way to the BVI in the spring I used ExecVIPShuttle It was prompt, the guy was nice, and no problems at all. I was quite happy. Coming home this week, I thought I had booked the same company, but I had not. I had booked Airport Express Shuttle

They confirmed my reservation at $145.00 and $5.00 for extra person, and had my flight arrival times. They did tell me to call them when I arrived at LAX, which I thought was a tad strange, as they usually have people there with your name on the sign. But then I thought, ok, well it is a busy airport, so in case you miss them....

We arrived 5 minutes late. We arrived at baggage, got our bags, and I called them. Well, I attempted to call. Apparently cel service in LAX is HORRENDOUS, at least on ATT and I felt like a commercial walking around going "can you hear me now?"

The guy on the phone said to call him back in about 5 minutes and he would try and get a description of the guy I was looking for! Ok, we did... and were told that "we got there earlier then they thought" (Our plane was 5 minutes late) and the soonest they could get someone there (because of traffic) was 405 PM. Fully an hour after we landed. I was definitely not impressed, but what can you do? He then tried to appease me by saying "but it will be direct to Murrieta, no stops" I countered with "well, I had booked that anyways so I was not that impressed"

We watched every other person in sight on our packed flight disappear into cars and we stood at the curb and waited...and waited.... OUr driver finally arrived at 430. Almost an hour and a half after our flight landed, putting us firmly in the freeway traffic.

OUr driver rattled on about nothing, to the point that we just wanted him to shut up. He was a horrible driver and when we were backed up in the real rush hour traffic, as he drove like a beginner, I sadly watched the express lane whizzing by and wanted to say " Its ok, I will pay the extra $5.35 to use that lane" but kept my mouth shut as we crawled along going to Riverside. We finally made it home around 630.

This was after picking us up at the airport and saying "I really don't know where you are going, I don't have the address" and asking us what the best way to get to there was!!! He said "if we wanted" he could put it in his navigator but never did. I started to wonder where in the hell they got this guy from! I figured they really dropped the ball and picked up someone from the street to come get us.

Then to add insult to injury, I asked him how much was due, not having my email with me, and he said "didn't they tell you? I hate to have to call him for it" I told him that he was just going to have too....

Then he wanted to know if they told me about the 18% gratuity. (Funny, seemed to have that figure down!) He called, came back and told me it was 165.00 plus (more then originally quoted) and the 18% gratuity. Then he got out his calcuator and started calcuating the gratuity for me!!!! I laughed and told him to call a spade a spade, it was not a Gratuity, it was a service charge! He said, "well, no not really, it is just for my gas etc" I thought that should be included in the fee...what do I know??? Then he says, "well to make it easier on you, I will just charge you a 11% gratuity" I laughed and at this point might have told him what a loser company they were. I paid $190.00 which was more then the 18% gratuity and now I am composing my letter to the Better Business Bureau and TELLING everyone how horrible they are and how they ripped me off.

Please DON'T use them!!

Now, back to the islands....

**
Apparently it is still raining and flooding in the islands. More rain then you could ever imagine... More rain then anyone could ever want. WEEKS of rain! Guess it was a good thing we covered all the hatches with garbage bags before we left.

This is what Promenade looked like as we left it, totally stripped and tied up for any potential hurricanes (and rain apparently)

The saddest thing in our world is cutting off the bimini, as putting it back on is a two day job for two people, even if it only takes 15 minutes to cut down! We debated on leaving it, as without it, the varnish really goes to ruin, but we surely would have regretted that as soon as a hurricane was on the horizon!

Anyways, there she sits... See you in 3 months Promenade!

We have been swamp dog busy the two days since arriving home. We had to transfer our drivers licenses to CA from Florida, as well as our license tags, finding out that we had to pay a fine because we had not done it in the 20 days since buying the house in April, since we left for the BVI. Plus since we had bought the Lexus less then a year ago in Florida with lower taxes, we had to make up the differences in sales tax to the CA government. Glad to see that we are doing our part to help out California's deficit!!!

Was surprised to see how much paper work was still used at the DMV here compared to Florida! I felt like I was in the 70's...One panic moment was finding out when I switched my license over I had to do a written test...Ha Ha...Ha Ha... Can I say that I looked at the first question which was "what is the legal limit on blood alcohol level for driving" and it had 8, 5 and 0 and I DID NOT know the answer I knew I was in trouble!!!
Bazza "guessed" that since it was CA it would be low and put 5 which was wrong. I opted for the "go outside first and READ the drivers handbook after reading the questions and before doing the test" option. He squeaked through with 6 wrong (the max he could have) and i only had 2! He says it does not count since I read the book!!!

The tests were marked by comparing them to a sheet...Never mind computerized, they did not even have an answer key to put over the circles with the right answer numbers!!!
**
Went to get renew insurances on vehicles, and instead of "what is recommended" she basically told us we had to tell her how much we had to lose in the states so we insured for that amount. My jaw dropped. Welcome to California folks.

**
After all that fun and games, I have managed to eat out at Outback, Panda Express and Red Lobster without going off my eating plan for the days, except for in sodium which is an absolute shocker when you see how much is in this take out food!

**

I think that is enough blabbering on today....

Kevin started a school today to take a bartending course, and looks much better then when I got him a month ago...

And, someone mentioned that we had not had pictures of our granddaughter Ella for awhile, and we have not so here is one! Growing like a weed!

Excellent dinner at Jolly Roger

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:01:38 -0700

This is what it looks like when you wait for delayed air planes about sunset, you know, when the mosquito's are starting to come out, at the non air conditioned airport!

Finally our friend Margot showed up, smiling broadly and happy to be here. So would I be after the Vancouver-Edmonton-Winnipeg-Toronto-Miami-SJU-EIS route!

We went clean across the island to have dinner at the Jolly Roger in West End, as it was Caribbean BBQ night....

AND we had Caribbean Jerk Prime Rib! Oh my god was it wonderful!! We left the fat from the meat on the plate, that was about all!

Back to the boat, which is in Baughers Bay on Mooring, and it was time to go to bed for all...Her first night on board she manages to break her air conditioner, so she stood by and gave Baz moral support in fixing it this morning!!!

We have dropped the lines and have escaped harbour! No more maintenance this week (well, if Bazza would stop breaking stuff...)

Popsicles, Maintenance and a few fishies from Salt Island

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:51:05 -0700

Cross posted....

I love popsicles. You know, the sugar free ones in tropical flavors... Always a challenge to find on island, as, let's face it, you have to find a grocery store that actually has a freezer working, and not only working but at a low enough temperature. I have become a connoiseur at scanning the grocery store shelves and finding something that may actually still be frozen. Bazza's entertainment is to look for the thermometers in the fridges and freezers and point out what the temperature is.

The new Riteway beside us in East End, has wonderful beautiful new freezers, and the ice cream out of them is probably the hardest I have seen on Tortola. But, no popsicles. Friday I planned. I took along a frozen bag with me to town, as I can usually find half melted popsicles at Bobby's... I figured I could get them home and finish freezing them.

Bobby's, is in sadly poor shape. I saw milk containers in the chill section that looked like they were going to burst their seams. Every cooler was filthy, not working properly if at all and it really reminded me of the OLD Bobby's, before this one was built.

I went to the ice cream freezers, which covered most of the aisle, but half were empty and broken and the other half, I opened the door and I could SEE the ice cream melting out of the boxes and the popsicles were just sticky fruit juice piling on the bottom. No savior there. This is a common occurrence. I am not sure how much they have to charge for all the wastage....

I went into One Mart, as they have them too. Well, I fear their freezers were not that much better. The ice cream ones were mostly turned off or melting. Plus, I always wonder why ice cream has to be sold in the same quarter section of the store as salt fish does?

If you want to make a million dollars on Tortola, be a top notch freezer mechanic and learn how to clean them too. You should have them tripping over you to give you work!

******

And, how is maintenance coming you ask? Of course you do! And of course it is... We are beginning to have things that look like cockpit cushions...

Look the sewing room busy in action!

And this is the list that says "I am so damn tired of you taking pictures of me for your blog, I am just humoring you you know" Not sure what he is complaining about, he has more then a conch shell on!

New doors for the aft are all cut out and are (were) in the process of being varnished. Unfortunately, apparently the wood we could get for it on island, well, was not the best quality, so the varnish is going on the very thin veneer wonky. Not sure what they are going to do with that....

*****

I went to get in the Bingo Bus yesterday to go for a dive...Only to have it in "get home" mode. Bazza worked on it for awhile and then told me I was not going dive in it, cuz it was computer controlled it was going to have to go in to be looked at where they have a machine to read it. This meant a "discussion" ensued with me first telling him that that was incredibly stupid when I had a perfectly good engineer at home and he should just buy whatever it was he needed. Him telling me how expensive it was. Me telling him that he should have told me this before we bought it, that it was really silly as we never take anything in...Him telling me it would not have made any difference at the time if he had told me. Me insisting it would have. Him telling me that if I wanted a fast boat with a big outboard they all had them now. Me arguing that the tender with the 50 hp did not have one.

Well, I could go on, but you get the picture. My choice was to take the tender not the power boat, so off I went bouncing across the channel cursing at (the boat, and maybe husband) each time my kidneys were jarred. Incredible how quickly I got used to the power boat and don't want to deem to put my behind in the dinghy!!!

Anyways, it was nice to get in with my camera, although it was pretty cloudy and a water temp of 85 degrees already.... So you get some fishie pictures...

A flounder...

A rock Hind....

I loved this tiny fish on the shell. Unfortunately I had a wide angle lens on, so this is cropped like crazy....

A spotted eel...

This sting ray was surprised as can be when he came up over this coral head and saw me there...

This one just ignored me...

If you look carefully on the left in the bottom there is another spotted eel sticking out his head. I love the colors of the soft corals around him...

This Tarpon followed me around for a lot of the dive. Unusual. Usually the Barracuda do that, but we was with me the entire time....

I then bounced my way across the channel again, and cooked up some blackened mahi mahi for dinner. It was GREAT!

Definitely one of the nicest thank you notes I have ever received..

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:14:33 -0700

I joked to Smitty when answering him that the only time I have received a nicer email was when I first met my husband Bazza and he was courting me by writing me poems and emailing them! (BTW, yes, it i has been many years since I have gotten a poem from him, but he is still here!)

They kick my ass this group though as I usually come back to do their charter after many months off the boat and doing the charters and to say that it takes me awhile to find my feet would be an understatement!!!

Thank you Smitty and the Cape Cod Pirates....where can we go next time??

Well, here I sit in cloudy cool Delmar, NY, thinking it was has been only a week since saying our goodbyes. I had to think a while before sending an e-mail. Most times when a trip or vacation is repeated a second time there is always concerns that the experience would not be as great as the first. Planning an event for the third time you could pretty much guarantee disappointment, unless you are booking the Promenade. The is no question that you (Kerry and Bazza and newbie Connor) being there for us was so important for the Cape Cod Pirates. Kerry and Bazza are not just the people we charter with they have become intertwined within our hearts and souls as they have provided us with lifelong memories. Kerry, each trip I come to enjoy more and more your teasing banter, even though you did complain a bit and had to rally mid-week, there is no question you make it so we do have more fun. Bazza continues to amaze me with what he has done and wants to do. Picking his brain by asking junior high school questions would be annoying to most but not to someone who sincerely wants to share his knowledge and experiences. I know when we talk to others about our trips they just don't understand, they don't believe that there is a vacation this positive and rewarding. I think, for the Cape Cod Pirates, the charters have now taken on the tone of a religious pilgrimage. As I stated in an earlier e-mail, that we were coming back for a third time hoping you would get it right this time. I think you were close but not close enough so we will probably give you one more chance and perhaps another and maybe another.......Whenever we gather you are always in our thoughts, thank you for another wonderful memory, stay safe and a good winds.

Smitty

What the mofongo?

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:32:04 -0700

Lisa here checking in with a quick blog of Peurto Rico, can't believe the week is nearly over, how time flies! So I have done the week in pictures, Rich started the holiday by terrifying me in this small excuse for a plane, I am not a brave flier and I normally expect the plane to be a bit more substantial, I was brave though and barely moaned and it did allow for some amazing views and wasn't too bumpy!

Little Jost and the bubbly pools

When we arrived we did what we always do, eat and drink beer!

We aren't staying in a posh place, which is fine, but the sink wouldn't drain and I don't like that, so I used a hanger out the wardrobe and removed this from the drain and it was real good after that!

We have eaten out every meal and discovered mofongo, plantain squished and fried and they put it in everything, we love it

another favourite

Pedicure, massage and cocktails

We finally got to see the worlds largest satellite where the movie "Contact" and one of the James Bonds were filmed

There are some amazing caves near to there also

We made a friend

and some pretty flowers for my mum and Connie

A new dinghy, a great dinner at Brandywine...

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:36:58 -0700

Now of course I have to figure out which blog to post which on now that I am on the boat too. Sigh. Life is so difficult!! Whine, Whine... Straight on the boat, straight onto maintenance. After all the yacht has been doing a few months of charters which means that some things you just baby along until you get a chance to fix them. Apparently the last week of charter they had the fun of a copper water pipe breaking in the galley which of course managed to fill up the laundry bins and everything. Pain in the ass, but I love watching Richard fit his close to 300 lbs into small spaces! Almost as funny as me!

I always come back and we have a celebration at some point. We did not have the supplies for blue drinks, but I had supplies for red drinks which worked quite well. Lisa knew I was back on the boat as she quickly picked up the blanket I had brought down to wrap herself in as I keep the boat much colder then she does (wait until YOU get close to 50 and see what happens!).

After enjoying a "few" pitchers, we made it over to Brandywine Bay for dinner. I have not been to Brandywine Bay for dinner in about ten years. Hard to believe, although I know Davide loosely from various Boat show and message boards etc etc. Rich and Lisa had never eaten there either.
This is what a LuLu and Richie look like who are about to go on vacation...Pretty happy hey??

This is what a Bazza and a Bruce look like who are NOT going on vacation!

We might have managed to have another drink or two...I do remember from the last time I was their the faintly reminiscent of 70 decor in the restaurant, in fact I know I sat in the EXACT same spot as last time a decade ago as my chair leaned and sloped the same!

Davide was working the floor and his sous chef was working the kitchen. Poor man had a hard time getting away from us, as we were a bit more cheerful and outgoing then usual (remember, some going on vacation, some just having arrived on island so not tired yet, and those pitchers of red stuff...) We kept on monopolizing his time and he was just trying to tell us what was for dinner! I did ask him how he kept the enthusiasm for the cuisine after ALL these years, as it lacks in me some days, and he just described it as his passion. Makes sense. Good to see.

Dinner was excellent. It was the best dinner I have had on Tortola for a long long time. I had bacon wrapped in scallops and they were real to god flown in fresh scallops, not punched out sting ray. Delicious!

We all enjoyed our meals very much, and raved about it. Of course, dessert of some type of brownies and ice cream is a hit whether we are out for dinner or on the boat on charter! The bill for 6 of us with drinks, probably several rounds, but no wine, came to about $600.00 which I was happy to pay for good quality food. We will be going there sooner then ten years next time!

I spend yesterday in TOWN. I will put more on my other blog about that!!!!!
Lisa danced down the dock today to get onto a plane to go to Puerto Rico for ten days and I attempted to remember everything I had to order to actually DO a charter. I thought about planning a menu and then I just decided to order in some food and wing it...This group of Cape Cod Pirates have been here several times before, so they obviously like what I do I would say!!!!

It is blowing like crazy here! And the wind direction is not condusive to Harbourview!

Bazza has fixed the water maker and replaced the brake pads on the car today, and now they are onto the NEW dinghy! Gosh the old one is ugly here!!!

But the new one is blindingly bright and looks like it needs carpet. Don't know whether it will be in service for this next charter or not, Baz has to switch the engine, console and all that fun stuff, but maybe our guests want some exercise and they can practice rowing the new one?? I can tell you it won't be me rowing it!

A very sad farewell to our Canadians - Oh yeah!

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 10:40:55 -0700

It was a very sad morning saying good bye to our Canadians, we have had so much fun with them this week and we won't forget you all for a long time, what a group, I can't remember when I laughed so much!

They also left us some great comments in the guest book:

"What a blast! Thank you for a once in a life time family holiday. We feel like we were invited on a friends boat for a week. You all showed us such an amazing time. One of our favourite times was breakfast, waiting to hear what cunning plan we would under take!"

"I loved it here! Thumbs up for Lisa's cooking!"

"... it was one if the best trips ever and I hope we come back. I really loved Lisa's cooking it was awesome..... Connor was a lot of fun and thank you Richard for not crashing the boat"

"Thank you for the amazing experience....... I had lots of fun......."

"Thanks so much for the experience, it was defiantly my favourite vacation and I loved the boat. You guys were some of the funniest and nicest people I ever met"

"OOOOOHHHHHHH YYYEEAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

"I have been looking forward to this trip for quite a while, nothing could have seemed to make it better and yet you guys did! I will never forget the cooking, it was simply amazing. Thank you Richard for guiding us and having information on everything under the sun. Thank you Connor for putting up with us and amusing us for endless hours!"

You are all too kind guys, and I think we all had as much fun as you did and watch out in september, we will come a knocking!!!!!

So, every one is back aboard Promenade, Kerry and Bazza turned up last night for a visit and they are back now, Bruce turned up this morning too, which means in a day me and Richie are off on vacation to Peurto Rico, so the last you will hear from me for a while I officially hand the blog over!

Last day so go big!

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 13:39:28 -0700

The last day! I donâ€™t know where this week has gone, so, go big!

We sailed over towards Norman Island, got flipped the bird by a passing sailor; apparently we were in his way!! I guess they have different rules of the road where he comes from, so we all waved to him! The girls found a good sleeping spot on the way over

Made it to the Indians for a quick pre lunch snorkel, which lead to after lunch comas

And general relaxing, good use for â€œThe sofa of doomâ€

C is obsessed with sunscreen, but he should probably rub it in better and you can still see his red nose!

On to the caves for more snorkeling

Tubing and every other water sport you can imagine!

Beautiful day in the islands!

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:07:14 -0700

We have had an action packed day, starting with the bubbly pools straight after breakfast, more like the devils gullet today, with the big north swells we have been having all week!

Rich also managed to rescue a random old person who was getting sucked out through the rocks, now that could have been messy!

Next on to Green Cay for some swimming

And general running around

After all that, we headed to White bay for a bit of a relax and beach time, very busy today as always, which means it is good for people watching and boat watching!

The 3 wise monkeys

Not sure why, but when I went upstairs Richie was having his nails painted

They did a cool job too, arrggghhh!

It was something to do with Holly having to condition her hair

There was some pull toys and C managed to not break the dingy tonight!

And a blue steel look from Mitch

Water mayhem!

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:00:22 -0700

I left you last night with cocktails on the bow, the bushwakers apparently â€œambushedâ€ the group and left every one ready for a dance after dinner

And then on to cannon balling the squid

And swimming

It was a fun night! Every one was surprisingly perky and chipper this morning, we had a hearty breakfast, the weather wasnâ€™t cooperating and we had a lot of rain, as we were going to get wet anyway, Rich took every one on a snorkel safari around Salt bay, it was rather good to, they saw an eagle ray, a sting ray, lobster and morays!

Still raining a bit, so on to geo cache,

nice view of Promenade

A sure fire way to get the sun out, I made soup for lunch, sun came out like a treat! All that activity though lead to this while sailing

Too choppy to dingy into the Baths, so our group went to Spanish town and headed to the Baths from there and had a real adventure by the sounds of it, it was quiet too as it was a little choppy!

We have a quiet secluded anchorage for tonight, cocktail hour was a much quieter affair tonight, theres a cool breeze too, every one is all wrapped up in their hoodies!

or having a quick nap before dinner, Oh Yah!

Diving the Rhone!

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:34:10 -0700

Some serious spoon action last night!

Another beautiful day in the Islands today, hot, still and blue clear water! An after breakfast swim was needed to cool every one down before a trip to Road town, every one is helping out this week with the sailing and stern lines and looking cool while doing it!

The art of sunscreen

cute one of the girls

It was then a sail off to the Rhone for some diving and snorkeling, the kids helping out with the sailing and what a super job they are doing

as they are so light it some times takes several of them

Nice and quiet when we got to the Rhone, which is how I like it, but there was some riff raff there ...............

In case you don't recognise him, thats Simeon, funny where you meet people! The dive was tremendous, we saw so much stuff

Every one together

and down at the bow

It was then around to the bay for sea glass and shells and cocktails and conch blowing on the bow for the big kids!

Whatever happened to our Brent??

nospam@example.com ( Kerry) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:31:54 -0700

For anyone who remembers Brent from the boat last year....one of things we never could quite break him off was standing around with a toothpick hanging out of his mouth! His farm roots apparently go quite deep, as he is now involved in landscaping in Northern Ontario (you can click here for the sparse site so far!)

Why are we not surprised to see that his profile picture has him on a TRACTOR! I wonder if his theme song is Jason Aldean's Big Green Tractor! (Calm down Janice now!!)

His last email to me had this paragraph, and it made me shake my head as well trying to understand, a common occurence with B!!, whichever B we may have at the time

"So its good to see that life on Promenade is as exciting as it always is. Now that I am off that boat it feels like I jumped off a speeding train and I am walking beside it as it flies past. Caught between enjoying the simplistic act of walking, and remembering how much time the train saved."

Of course you can link to our websites Brent! Maybe with your link on here you will get lots of guest who want there field tractored....