How about a traditional Caribbean/Hawaiian Luau as the final night’s celebration of this year’s Boat Show? What a great night of old and new friends saying farewell!
Bare feet, flip-flops, colorful shirts and dresses, and even some plastic leis!!! ( I did hear some say they got “leid” at the Luau. I am not quiet sure what they meant.) The 2008 Boat Show’s final night of celebrations was highlighted by a sense of great accomplishment of the VICL Boat Show committee and Director Erik as the stars! The 
ingredient for a GREAT party is good food, more than enough to drink, and awesome music. Tonight has it all!
The headline entertainment tonight was Ras Abijah & Friends! The scoop on Abijah is a reggae voice with positive messages: modern and distinctive, but steeped in Reggae’s tradition, drawing on R&B, roots, soul and world flavors. His international flair is an example of the flamenco-tinged musical influence of his music. Jamaicans have given Abijah his moniker “Ambassador of Peace” for his work promoting One Love 
philosophies before thousands of Caribbean kids. He has even performed at Harvard and Oxford Universities.
The real deal tonight was the fun relationships with the Crews and charter yacht Brokers as they expand their connections for the 2008-2009 charter season. There are charter yachts whose season has been guaranteed because of their success at the VICL Boat Show. In every industry the cream rises to the top, and this show had the best of the fleet as participants. A quote that has stayed with me for years is…
“Let my boat of life be light, packed with only what I need – a homely place to stay and simple pleasures, a few friends worth the name, someone to love and someone to love me, a cigar or two, enough to eat and enough to wear, and a little
more than enough to drink, for a thirst is a dangerous thing.” – Jerome Klapka Jerome
This may be the mantra for many who are living the sailing life in the Caribbean. It is such a pleasure to be a part of community that is supporting the success of the charter yacht vacation experience. I look forward to my next time with all of the Crews and Brokers. And…I have heard rumors that there is an after-the-Boat-Show pool party tomorrow at the Yacht Haven 
Grande swimming pool. I assure you that the Crews are glad the focus is off of them, and they are excited to begin another charter season. In my conversations with many of the Crews, they hope the Brokers enjoyed the previews of their “floating villas”. My guess is you will hear from me tomorrow from the pool party…until then, FAIR WINDS as many of you are heading back to your homes and families. What you have experienced with my articles regarding the Boat Show has only been from my eyes. I welcome any other articles and photos that you may send to me and I will post them for the charter vacation yacht crowd to see.
