Angelique arrives in paradise!

Join us for yet another adventure in the British Virgin Islands! From breathtaking underwater wonders to developing her taste buds, discover Angelique’s journey filled with first experiences, laughter and family bonds that defy distance.

We have really enjoyed our very first guest on board over the past 11 days. Our goal? To immerse her in unforgettable experiences and ensure that she returns home with a wealth of captivating stories. Angelique experienced a whirlwind of firsts here. From flying solo to the British Virgin Islands, snorkelling the bay and witnessing the breathtaking underwater world, jumping off the side of the boat, we introduced her taste buds to delicacies like Mahi-Mahi and lobster, boarding and driving the dinghy, sipping refreshing cocktails, to sailing to picturesque islands where she could marvel at natural wonders like the hot tub. We also enjoyed watching movies in the cockpit surrounded by a sky full of stars. And yes, she now also masters the art of pumping her drops into the sea via a boat toilet.

And then the day we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived! We have been planning for months and our hearts are filled with excitement as we welcome Angelique to the British Virgin Islands. The anticipation has been built up and now that she’s finally here, we couldn’t wait to show her all the beauty the British Virgin Islands has to offer. While waiting at the airport, we can’t help but feel a sense of nervousness and eagerness. We constantly stare at the doors, hoping to catch a glimpse of Angelique as the doors open. And then, all of a sudden, there she is! She walks towards us with a radiant smile on her face. We also walk up to her and hug her in a big hug, we are so happy that she is finally here with us. A short walk from the airport led us to the dinghy landing stage, but not before satisfying our hunger in a cozy beach bar. Imagine: twilight, palm trees, colored lights, a burning fire pit at the entrance and our laughter filling the air. Over dinner we shared stories about Angelique’s journey and enjoyed the sense of togetherness. Distance and time melted away; it was like we were never gone. Angelique says: “I’m so glad I didn’t cry. I expected that, but when I saw all three of you, it suddenly felt like I was with you just last week.” We all smile and nod in agreement, knowing that the strong family bond will always keep us close no matter how far apart we are.

After dinner we make our way to the boat, chatting excitedly about the adventure that awaits us. We know this trip will be one we will never forget. In the bay the sea is calm and the stars twinkle above us as we slowly make our way to the boat. When we arrived on the boat with Angelique, it was clear she was excited, but also a bit overwhelmed. She had seen pictures of the boat before, but standing and walking on it was a completely different experience. As it was already dark outside, she couldn’t see much of the area, but we assured her it was even more beautiful during the day. To help Angelique feel comfortable on the boat, we took her on a full tour, showed her where everything was and explained how everything worked. We also discussed our plans for the next day, which included snorkelling and sailing to a nearby bay. The next morning when we woke up we discovered that Angelique was already awake and eagerly looking forward to the beautiful surroundings. She had listened to the sounds of the boat for hours and was excited to finally see everything in daylight. With a big smile on her face she waited for us to come to her so we could experience it together. When we stepped outside, Angelique’s eyes lit up at the sight of the bay we anchored in and the various islands around us. She was in awe of the beauty that surrounded us and couldn’t stop expressing her excitement with lots of “aaa” and “ooo.”

It was clear that Angelique was already in love with the experience even before we started our planned activities. We quickly dressed and got ready for the day ahead. We motor to a nearby cove, which only took 10 minutes. After breakfast, Angelique and Jeroen sailed to a small beach with the dinghy. Here she was given snorkelling lessons because Angelique had never done this before, then we all went snorkelling together and Angelique was amazed by the underwater world she discovered. After a few hours of snorkelling we sailed towards Cane Garden Bay, about 10 NM away. As we sailed to our destination, she enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the feeling of the wind in her hair. Our first day on the boat with Angelique was a great success. She was excited about everything and couldn’t wait to see what the rest of the trip had in store for her. We were happy to introduce her to sailing and exploring the sea, and we knew this trip would be one to remember for all of us. A beach walk along all the colored bars in Cane Garden Bay, while the sun slowly set, was a nice end to this 1st day. We had dinner on the boat and Angelique went to bed early afterwards.

The next morning after breakfast we sailed to White Bay, on the island of Jost Van Dyke. As we left the bay, a moment of excitement filled the air as I saw a shark glide gracefully across the surface of the water right next to our boat. The clear water gave us a fleeting glimpse of its presence before the shark sank back into the depths. It was really a special sight, because such encounters are rare in these waters. With sails set and waters calm, we set sail for a short 7 nautical miles towards White Bay, feeling the gentle breeze caressing our faces and enjoying the serene atmosphere. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a bustling scene in White Bay, with powerboats and catamarans filling the entire bay. Jeroen went with the dinghy, walkie talkie and a depth sounder at the ready, looking for a spot between the coral reef and the other boats and passed on that he had found something for us. I steered the boat through the narrow passage between the coral reefs and our first attempt to anchor proved unsuccessful. Adding a touch of excitement was a neighbouring catamaran dropping anchor half a boat’s length next to us, while we ourselves were still not safely anchored. With limited room to manoeuvre and only 20 cm under keel clearance, Jeroen decided to lead us snorkelling ahead and eventually found a sandy bottom where our anchor dug firmly into the sand. A sigh of relief washed over us when we knew we were well anchored. Since we were eager to explore the beach, we decided to go SUP boarding this time. Angelique, who sat on the SUP board for the first time, and I paddled towards the beach while sitting on the SUP boards. The beach was buzzing with the vibrant energy of day-trippers, their laughter echoing as they stood in the water, their drinks in hand to beat the heat, enjoying the company of other beachgoers. As we embraced the hustle and bustle of White Beach and sat down to have a drink, nature had plans of its own. A sudden downpour swept over White Bay, dousing us in a refreshing rain shower. It was as if nature playfully reminded us that even in paradise, the unexpected can happen. We sought shelter for a while, but the rain soon gave way to sunshine. Lunch on the boat replenished our energy and we couldn’t resist diving back into the inviting waters, the average temperature this time of year is 31 degrees so swimming is a relief. We jumped off the boat, which was another first for Angelique, and created our own symphony of splashes and laughter. Then, armed with his trusty GoPro underwater camera, Rajesh dove into the depths to capture the underwater world. With the starry sky as a backdrop, we enjoyed a well-deserved dinner on serene White Beach. The hectic pace of the day had died down and a sense of calm and contentment was left behind. The mesmerizing melody of live Caribbean drums and twinkling lights added a touch of magic to the atmosphere.

We unanimously agreed to extend our stay at White Bay, excited to also explore neighbouring Great Bay by dinghy. Arriving at the dinghy dock, we were greeted by a group of large Tarpons, these large silvery fish that often get intimidatingly close to you, but only out of curiosity. The local village welcomed us with its long main street, decorated with numerous souvenir shops, bars and restaurants. Among them, Foxy’s Bar is the most famous. We couldn’t resist and decided to order some drinks there, and to our surprise we ran into our old acquaintances, April and Ian. It was so nice to see them again. It always brings a smile to our faces when April and I stand side by side; she is 1.50 m tall while I reach 1.90 m. It was a heart-warming reunion that added an extra layer of joy to our adventure. Later, back on the boat, we spent the rest of the afternoon snorkelling. The evening brought another culinary delight for Angelique – Mahi-Mahi! We eagerly awaited her verdict and to our relief she really enjoyed it! As the night progressed, we immersed ourselves in lively dice games, Yahtzee and Fargel, creating memories and laughter that will be cherished forever.

We stay on the island of Jost Van Dyke, but sail a little further to Little Jost Van Dyke. After 2 hours of sailing we reach the bay and grab a mooring ball (anchor buoy). The turquoise water shimmers under the warm sun and invites us to dive in. A visit to the lively Bee-line Bar for lunch introduced Angelique to her very first cocktail, the legendary ‘Painkiller’. As the afternoon progresses, we retire to our boat, enjoying the surrounding sea in peace. Later in the afternoon, we take a short walk to the naturally formed ‘hot tub’. The natural formation of foam bubbles, which create bubbles in the water, caused by the waves crashing over the rocks, creates a tingling sensation on our skin. Excitement fills the air as we immerse ourselves in the refreshing water and watch the waves crash over the rocks. Rajesh captures this beautiful moment with his drone and takes videos and photos. After dinner, we set up our own outdoor cinema in the cockpit, under the stars. Tonight’s movie choice is “The Mother,” starring the Jennifer Lopez. We are all engrossed in the story, sharing a smile and appreciating the compelling story of the film. As the credits roll, we can unanimously agree it was a good choice.

The next morning, we woke up on time and sailed with the dinghy to a small island with only two palm trees. While exploring the island, we couldn’t resist the inviting water and decided to take a refreshing dip. After our wonderful escapade, we returned to the boat and resumed our sailing trip. Our next destination was The Bight Bay, on Norman Island. A beautiful sailing trip of 20 NM that took us four hours. Here Angelique, the daredevil, surfed on the SUP board behind the dinghy and later, on the sandy shores, Jeroen taught her about standing paddle on the SUP board. An hour later she triumphantly returned to the boat with a big smile, balancing successfully on the SUP board. The rest of the day was dedicated to snorkelling and we enjoyed the lively underwater world. As the sun went down, we gathered in the cockpit and got ready for another movie night. This time we indulged in the romantic comedy “Two Weeks’ Notice”, starring Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant. The laughter and fun filled the air creating fond memories under the stars.

The next morning we indulged in a relaxed morning, enjoying the tranquillity that enveloped us. By noon we departed for the famous Willy T. This converted 50m Baltic freighter, known for its lively atmosphere, serves as a floating bar and restaurant. We couldn’t resist experiencing the unique mix of food, drink and entertainment on board a floating ship, while being treated to a nice view of the Caribbean Sea. Of course, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to embrace the adventurous spirit of the place. Following the Willy T tradition, we ventured into the crystal clear turquoise waters from the top deck, rediscovering our inner child and enjoying the joy it brought. As the midday sun began to disappear, we said goodbye to the Willy T and headed for Peter Island, just a 30-minute boat ride away. Entering the bay, our eyes were immediately drawn to the myriad of turtles swimming in the water. Once we were safely anchored, it didn’t take long before we jumped into the water to admire the turtles. We were fascinated that the turtles were so calm and unbothered by our presence and decided to extend our stay here for an extra day, enjoying the peace and serenity that surrounded us.

The next morning, Jeroen and Rajesh embarked on a 3.5 NM trip with a dinghy to collect ordered parts from Nanny Cay Marina. In the meantime, Angelique and I enjoyed a quiet morning on board, during which I took care of the laundry, did some reading and prepared a delicious lunch for both of us. That afternoon, after Jeroen and Rajesh returned, consisted of more snorkelling adventures and at the beginning of the evening, while I was busy preparing dinner, Jeroen, Angelique and Rajesh took a nice walk to an abandoned hotel on top of a mountain made. The breathtaking views were captured by Rajesh with drone videos and photos. That day, our water maker decided to call it quits and it turned out to be impossible for Jeroen to fix it quickly.

The next morning, we sailed on to Virgin Gorda and first stopped at “the Baths”. The Baths consists of a series of giant granite boulders estimated to be about 70 million years old. These boulders are scattered along the coast, creating a maze of caves, tunnels and “pools”, reminiscent of an alien landscape. Enthusiastic we started walking, climbing and scrambling on the journey of discovery between the rocks and caves. There’s nothing like a refreshing dip in the cool water after such an adventure, where you can feel the sweat wash away. After a round of painkillers and some fries, we continued our journey and sailed on to Prickly Pear. Although we had fond memories of this bay, we were disappointed upon arrival. The once pristine beach was now marred by an abundance of sargassum seaweed, filling the air with an unpleasant odor. Determined to make the most of our last days together, we decided to sail to Savanna Bay early the next morning. It is a paradise for snorkelling enthusiasts and for the next two days our sole focus will be on snorkelling, enjoying delicious meals, great conversations and cherishing each and every thing we still have here together. Saturday we will sail back to Trellis Bay at 4 pm, the same bay where we welcomed Angelique upon her arrival at the airport. Sunday morning is the departure of Angelique back to the Netherlands. We really enjoyed her presence, her humor and contagious laughter, her adventurous spirit that led her to overcome her fears and have countless new experiences with us and her unwavering faith in us. We hope that one day she will sail with us again; she will always be welcome on board.

In the near future, our plans include returning to Saint Maarten. Jeroen has a series of important boat projects planned, including the installation of a new water maker, repairing the furling jib and performing thorough engine maintenance. In addition, we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our packages from the Netherlands and the stickers for our dinghy. Jeroen’s parents have also become enthusiastic after seeing their daughter Angelique’s adventurous journey and will join the ship in Martinique at the end of June. We are full of anticipation and excitement to welcome them here on board!