A “life preserver” for “land lubbers” having a conversation with a “salty dog.”

So, here I am minding my own business at the Village Cay bar in Road Town, Tortola, and a couple shows up, just off the plane from Chicago, to jump on board a charter yacht in the morning for an unforgettable week sailing in the BVI. This is their first visit to the Caribbean. They apparently had not been in the sun for months, and they were a bit intimidated by staying full time on a sailboat for a week because they had NEVER been on a sailboat before.

In their effort to not be too ignorant regarding the sailing “terminology” they expected to hear all week, they had purchased a book of terms and their definitions. It was a very fascinating conversation that I just couldn’t avoid jumping into. I decided to give them my favorites of the basic terms one needs to know – at least the ones the Captain will be using with his guests in which to have some fun while on the voyage. Here goes…

• Starboard – the right side of the vessel
• Port – the left side of the vessel ( confusing these two definitions could cause a shipwreck
• Bow – the front of the vessel.
• Stern – the back of the vessel.
• Sheets – the ropes and lines that are connected to the sails that are used to “trim the sails” while underway.
• Bimini – the canvas or fiberglass covering the stern sitting area.
• Brightwork – the polished metal objects on the vessel. “Bright it should be and work it is.”
• Pusser – this is the name that has evolved from “Purser”. The Purser on the ship is the one who gives the wages to the crew, and the VERY important allocation of daily rum to each of the crew members. The rum made in the BVI is called Pussers.
• Fathom – Although a fathom is now a nautical unit of length equal to six feet, it was once defined by an act of Parliament as “the length of a man’s arms around the object of his affections.” The word derives from the Old English Faethm, which means “embracing arms”.
• Boot Camp – During the Spanish – American War, Sailors wore leggings called boots, which came to mean a Navy or Marine recruit. These recruits trained in “boot” camps.
• Scuttlebutt – the cask of drinking water on ships was called a scuttlebutt and since Sailors exchanged gossip when they gathered at the scuttlebutt for a drink of water, scuttlebutt became the U.S. Navy slang for gossip or rumors. A butt was a wooden cask which held water or other liquids; to scuttle is to drill a hole, as for tapping a cask.
• Painter – the line connected to your dingy from your vessel that is used to tow it.
• Shows his true colors – The rules of civilized warfare called for all ships to hoist their true national ensigns before firing a shot. Someone who finally “shows his true colors” is acting like a man-of-war which hailed another ship flying one flag, but then hoist their own when they got in firing range. ( Today the “colors” you sometimes see flying on the sailboats in the Caribbean have a martini glass emblem on them meaning it is cocktail hour and anyone is welcome. )

My new found friends were grateful that they would now be able to have an intelligent conversation with their Captain. What I failed to tell them is there are hundreds more of these phrases that will totally confuse a “land lubber” attempting to behave as a “salty dog”.

Parents should be used to their kids’ grumbling and muttering at this time of year. It’s back to school for most of the Virgin Islands’ children and youth – some are excited, others are indifferent, but most wonder why summer seems to always end too soon.

There are 34 public schools and programs, about 1500 teachers and approximately 16,500 students in the Virgin Islands.

With a new school year comes another batch of college-bound seniors who have taken a hack at the SATs and ACTs, America’s standardized tests that hold influence on the college admissions process. Mixed results can be taken from how last school year’s graduating class fared against the national test score averages.

According to testing date release by the College Board, the class of 2007 fared slightly better than the previous year’s class in critical reading scores but didn’t fare as well during the math and writing section. VI students showed the greatest decrease in its writing scores, having averaged 426 this year as compared to 434 in 2006.

I have had my share of standardized test taking and I was relieved when it was all over. I wasn’t too fond of the pressure-filled time limit and the large amount of sections that I had to complete in a matter of four hours. The best advice I could give to any student looking to take the SAT or ACT in the near future is to sleep well the night before, have a filling but healthy breakfast, and get ready for a very…very long morning.

- Joseph Natividad

Who would have ever thought…premium California wines in the Caribbean?

When you are dining at any fine restaurant in the Caribbean you will probably see Dry Creek Vineyards as a selection. This is one of the premium wineries in the Sonoma, California appellation. The reason why I bring up this topic is because it is one of the ONLY California wines you will typically find.

Now, why would Dry Creek Vineyards export to the Caribbean?

I found out the answer to this question several years ago while having a Navy Grog at Pusser’s in Road Town, Tortola. I may not be the best resource for premium wine information, but I do know my Napa and Sonoma wines. I have visited Dry Creek Vineyards many times in Sonoma and I have gotten acquainted with the founder of the winery, David Stares. So, while I am draining my Grog who should I see walk in but David Stares. I immediately snag his arm and ask if I could buy him a drink and find out what in the world he is doing in the Caribbean. The story that unfolded was a real surprise.

David is an avid sailor. Almost all of his wine bottles have a sailboat on the labels. I had no idea that Dry Creek Vineyard’s commitment to the sport of sailing extend far beyond their wine labels. David’s company is one of the BIG sponsors of sailing regattas around the world. He even donates a portion of the sales of his Regatta Red and Regatta White to US SAILING to further develop their educational and team building efforts.

Mr. Stare founded Dry Creek Vineyards in 1972 and is now one of the few family owned wineries in California. His daughter, Kim, and her husband, Don Wallace, have taken over the daily operations of the winery, however, David’s finger prints are still on each of their releases. In addition, you can go their website and view the entire gallery of sailing labels they have used over the years. We finished our drinks and he walked out the door on his way to his boat to sail to the Bitter End Yacht Club where Dry Creek Vineyards was the major sponsor of the annual Pro Am Regatta. This even brings together the “rock stars” of the sailing world for a week’s worth of regattas and wine related activities.

Remember one of my mantras? “Do what you love the money will follow!” David Stares and his family is living that life everyday as they produce world class wines and integrate in their love for sailing along the way. Let me know if you find any other interest wine stories during your visits to the Caribbean. I know that Secret Harbor Restaurant in Red Hook, St. Thomas has created an expanded wine list that includes many wines from the Napa / Sonoma region of California.

The Beach at Salomon Bay could be considered one of the best “getaway” beaches that St. John has to offer. Due to its unconventional access, Salomon Bay manages to keep the number of visitors down and as a result makes for a relaxing, quiet beach setting.

The property can be accessed either by boat or by hiking a trail that starts out from the National Park Visitor Center. It is named after a pair of Dutch brothers named Jannis and Isack Salomon, who were 18th century cotton planters.

Salomon Bay has had a lasting reputation for also being a clothing-optional beach. In 2003, however, park rangers began enforcing anti-nudity laws and issuing citations. It has since become a family friendly destination.

Between Salomon and Honeymoon Bay, a variety of eels, shrimp, crabs and clams as well as a unique population of fishes can be found in the sea floor. This makes Salomon Bay an ideal snorkeling location aside from the intimate setting that comes with the secluded beach area.

- Joseph Natividad

(image photographed by Mr Inky <flickr>)

Celebrities are descending on the Virgin Islands this weekend for the Mahogany Run’s 11th Annual Golf Classic. The two-day charity golf event is intended to raise money for the Beacon Schools, a nonprofit organization that works to bring after-school learning centers to St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Sr., former NBA stars Spud Webb, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Charlotte Bobcats head coach Sam Benson and actress Victoria Rowell are expected to attend the charity golf tournament. A dinner and auction fundraising gala will is being held at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas afterward.

Besides the activities going on at the putting green, basketball and baseball clinics are also taking place this weekend. Portland Trailblazers assistant coach Maurice Lucas and Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Greg Ballard will be on hand at the Marin Center to hoop it up while baseball greats Ken Griffey Sr, Gary Carter and Jerry Royster will be in attendance for their respective clinic in St. Croix.

Both of these events are available to the youth, free of charge and with a provided lunch.

- Joseph Natividad

(photo courtesy of www.beaconschools.vi)

“Torn” is the name of this year’s project by the Youth Moviemaking Workshop, sponsored by the Reichhold Center for the Arts. Featuring twelve students ranging from 13 to 17 years old, the film was made in two weeks and shot on location at the Island Beachcomber Hotel in St. Thomas. It is free and open to the public at the Reichhold theatre.

The film deals with cultural issues, centering on the experiences of a young boy from the Dominican Republic named Jose (Brandon Wadsworth) and a girl he befriends on the beach named Cheyenne (Damara Donovan). It is through this friendship that the conflict of the film arises from.

“Torn” was directed by students Calis Cuthbertson and Larise Joasil under the guidance of Michael Kuetemeyer, professor in the Film and Media Arts program at Temple University, and freelance filmmaker Anula Shetty of Philadelphia, Penn.

Highly regarded by Reichhold Foundation, the Youth Film Workshop prides itself on teaching discipline and teamwork through hands-on editing and technical work. This kind of training involves skills in scriptwriting, videography, photography and animation.

Examples of their works can be found on the Reichold-YMW website.

- Joseph Natividad

 One of the most fun sailing events in the Caribbean is Antiqua’s “Race Week”. This event began in 1967 at Falmouth Harbour, where a handful of old wooden boats queued up on a made up start line to began a week of a “just for fun” sailing regatta that honored the last two weeks of the Caribbean sailing season before the yachts sailed back to their home ports in Europe, South America and South Africa. From this humble moment in 1967, a tradition has grown into one of the world’s top five sailing regatta’s. And, it is the # 1 sailing regatta in the world on tonnage.

Over the past forty years, this event has grown into one of the most competitive amateur sailing events one can imagine. Competition between the world class cres is sportsmanlike, but fierce; a lot of time, money and preparation goes into winning these races that range between 16 miles and 28 miles in length. For the many happy amateurs and the wondering ocean going yachts the idea is just to be there and enjoy seven days of racing and seven nights of equally hard partying. Both of these disciplines require considerable stamina if one is to keep with the pace of what is expected both day and night during the regatta.

Serious racing aside, Lay Day* (usually on Wednesday) is a day to not be missed. It is meant as a rest day for the weary sailors but has become much, much more! Those who have come to party make their way to Antigua Yacht Club in Falmouth Harbour. Thousands of sailors and spectators cram themselves into the area in their dinghies, boats and elsewhere to get down to the really serious business of partying. There is loads of music, plenty of food, and a daunting supply of drink. On the program of events there appears to be finish time to this particular event, and if ever there is, rarely does anyone pay attention. However, if you join the “Lay Day” celebration, remember that you need to be in some type of sobriety to compete in the next day’s racing.

Saturday is Dockyard Day. This is another event-filled day, including the precarious greasy pole event, tug-of-war, and various other activities to keep you amused. Then there is the presentation of prizes at the Old Officers’ Quarters in Nelson’s Dockyard by the Minister of Tourism for Antigua plus other Caribbean dignitaries. At 6PM the Royal Antiguan Police Band “Beat The Retreat”. The Grande Finale is the Lord Nelson’s Ball – formal but fun, at which cups and trophies are presented as well. Always an unforgettable week, though as is always the case with unabashed ribaldry, certain events will be remembered in the following weeks – often times with some embarrassment. ( I do believe there is a photo somewhere in this world of me dancing with a goat. But, the details of that night will need to be highlighted in another posting. The 2008 Antigua Race Week is from April 27^th to May 3^rd. Mark your calendars

Related Post from Last Year

*Lay Day – Derived from the nautical term to ‘lay to” or bring one’s boat to rest, the midweek lay day is a feature of most Caribbean regattas. However, be warned! Although lay day provides a break form serious racing, it can hardly be considered a rest day. There is just too much going on, as organisers, competitors and spectators take the opportunity to get together ashore and have a really good time.

The BIGGEST news in the mega-yacht Caribbean cruising world is the opening of Yacht Haven Grande several months ago.  Up until this year the only viable harbor facilities for the mega-yachts was on St. Maarten. Now St. Thomas is their new competitor and what has been delivered to the yacht world is a complete community built around the moorings; luxury condos; world-class shopping; gourmet restaurants,  and much more. It will take your breath away.

Yacht Haven Grande is the dream-come-true for Island Global Yachting – a developer of luxury marinas worldwide – from the Caribbean, Mexico and the Arabian Gulf.  Andrew Farkas, CEO, IGY, said, “Yacht Haven Grande offers unparalleled service to the owners and crews of the worlds ost luxurious mega-yachts, while also providing a new shopping and dining destination to the tourists and residents of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. As the jewel in the crown of the IGY network,  Yacht Haven Grande brings the latest technology and the glamour of the Riviera to the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

Besides the many world class designer shops and restaurants,  there are 12 water side condominiums, each with 3-bedrooms, 3.5-baths, two terraces, a plunge pool, and all with harbor views. They are currently on sale starting at $2,000,000.

Let me know when you are in town. I would enjoy the opportunity to show you around.

If you’re looking for loads of family fun, nonstop laughter and a guaranteed good time, the Carrot Bay Cultural Fiesta is definitely the place to be.

Who needs computers and the television for your source of entertainment when donkeys are racing on the streets and causing their jockeys to fall off awkwardly? Yesterday’s festivities attracted tourists and locals alike, bringing together the community with an array of games like the married vs. single men’s tug of war, sack races and lime & spoon races.

The donkey races took center stage during the event, with Asspectation living up to his name and beating Blackie and Rockma respectively. Two brave tourists even attempted to mount the donkeys to take the fiesta experience to the next level.

During the married vs. single men’s tug of war, the singles took round 1 before the married men pulled away the next two times.

The Carrot Bay Cultural Fiesta continues with more activities today, with a boating challenge being beilled as the main event after the previous night of donkey racing. Festivities are held annually from late July to this time in August, beginning with the Gospel fest in Road Town and concluding with the fiesta.

- Joseph Natividad

(image courtesy of The VI Daily News.)

A ceremony took place earlier today to dedicate a National Guard warehouse in honor of Sgt. First Class Floyd E. Lake Sr. Sgt. Lake The officer passed away on January 20th when his UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was struck down by enemy fire in Iraq.

On board were 13 other members of his personnel along with fellow VI native Lt. Col. David Cagenata III. There were no survivors from this unfortunate event.

Kristine M. Munn, a spokesperson for the National Guard Bureau, described Sgt. Lake as “a soldier of the utmost professionalism and dedication.” Family members, friends, soldiers and number of government officials were on hand for today’s dedication ceremony. Brigadier General Renaldo Rivera presided over the event.

Another facility will be renamed in honor of the late Lt. Col. Canegata later this year. Sgt. Lake is survived by his wife and five children.

- Joseph Natividad

(image courtesy of “The St. Thomas Source”)