(This is Wednesday's post which I haven't been able to upload due to lack of WiFi)
We are back in the US! The US Virgin Islands, that is. We had a great sail this morning to Cruz Bay on the island of St. John. We entered the Customs and Immigration office just before the ferry arrived, saving us from having to stand in line behind a very large group coming in from Tortola.
We've heard that the C&I process to clear in and out of the US and BVIs is a pain, but we didn't have any problems. Most people seem to end up chartering out of the BVIs so they don't have to go through the hassle but I think it was worth it. It's been nice to experience the lifestyle of both sets of islands.
The BVIs are definitely set up for cruisers with fun anchorages, infrastructure and nightlife. But the anchorages in St. John are more like camping in a National Park. In fact, more than 50% of St. John is comprised of a National Park and is very well maintained. Plus, it's cheaper to stay on NPS moorings - $15 per night versus $25-30 in the BVIs. We're now on a mooring ball in Maho Bay and it's very quiet and secluded. Which is fortunate because I need a good night's sleep!
Sailing is a very physical pursuit. Tacking back and forth is jarring and working the lines takes some strength. It also takes a toll on your hands. Mine are ripped up despite wearing sailing gloves every day. You also have to be pretty nimble to maneuver around on a monohull like "Journey's End." We are constantly walking up and down the stairs of the companionway which are steep and require good balance, especially while under sail. Even going to the bathroom takes effort to manually pump the bowl clean. Remember this if you ever decide to join us on a sailing trip. Getting in shape is not about looking good in a bathing suit!
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