Our First day - July 4th 2013

July 3rd 2013

We departed Boston just before midnight heading to San Juan en route to Tortola.

July 4th, 2013

Arriving around 3:30am, we were both pretty tired.  We waited for our bags, which seemed to take forever and then heading to the hotel to get whatever sleep we could.  Our friend Dan had already arrived a while before us and would be asleep in the room already.  We got into the room, said a quick "Hi" as we woke Dan and got to sleep pretty quick.

Four hours later, we woke up and started getting ready.  Breakfast at the hotel and off to check in.  We were flying Cape Air and Dan (along with the rest of our group) would be on Seaborne.  So after we got through security, seeing we had a fair mount of time before our 11am flight, headed over to the gate Dan and the rest of our group would be at.  Hung out with them for a bit and then headed to our gate for our flight.

Our flight was right on time and with today being my birthday, I was hoping for the co-pilot seat.  As luck would have it, I got it.

As much as I love the co-pilot seat, it does not offer the best views.  Best views are really towards the back of the plane since you don't have the wings in your way.  I did get a pic of St. John.

We arrive at the airport and this was our first time using the VIP arrival.  We were excited for it but really didn't know what to expect.  We were greeted and brought to the VIP lounge which was great!  Here's a shot of Stephanie in the lounge.

Hard to beat the VIP lounge!

Seaduction - our home for a week!

Arriving one hour after the rest of our group, we exited the VIP lounge just 15 minutes after our arrival and only a few minutes after the rest of our group.  Moorings was waiting for us and took us to the base.  Upon arriving, we checked in and shortly after went to go see the boat - Seaduction, a 58' Catamaran!  This birthday keeps getting better! :)

Front view of Seaduction while docked at Leverick later in our trip

We looked over the boat, loaded our bags and dealt with other stuff (we didn't realize it came with two kayaks and paddle boards and had ordered two kayaks - ended up returning them).   Only downside as that we didn't get the dinghy pictured, just their regular one.  Garrett, the Captain of another 58 (Slick Business) handled the boat briefing and after we were done with that and everything else we needed to do, Captain Dale came aboard and we headed out to make sure we were all set with the boat.  We raised the sails and tripped a breaker for the electric winch.  Ended up having to head back in and Garrett came aboard and helped us resolve it.  Turned out there was a loose connection as well which he fixed.  We headed back out, go the sails up and did a few tacks before taking Dale back in via dinghy (didn't want to have to lower and raise sails again).  Dan took Dale in and then made his way back out to us.  We then set sail for Norman.

We arrived at Norman and relaxed for a bit, unpacking..etc.  By the time we headed in for food, Pirates was closed so we headed to the Willy T.  They weren't serving either so we all just had a painkiller before heading back to the boat for some food and then we were off to bed - it was a LONG day!