A Flock Of Ducks Have Been Discovered At The Caribbean Boat Show

I am oblivious to the fanatical sports fans from Oregon that support all aspects of their Teams

So, I am minding my own business at the Yacht Haven Grande office logging in my latest posting today. A crusty Caribbean taps me on the shoulder and asks if I am Jim Walberg. I say “Yes” with a curious look on my face. He introduces himself as Dick Schoonover, the Charter Yacht Manager from CharterPort VI. The reason why this is of any note is because he and I have speaking and emailing each other for the past six months about my 60th birthday charter on Double Feature – a Lagoon 57 catamaran. (Remember, I posted a blog about the Cats taking over the Caribbean?)

It is rare that I meet in person the Charter Yacht Managers of any company since most of them are headquartered on the East Coast or in the Caribbean. His office is in Road Town, Tortola, and I found out that I have walked by it many times.

We start talking about all aspects of the charter business and for some reason he lets it slip out that he is an Oregon Duck. Well, I asked him if he saw their football game last week which catapulted them into the #2 spot in the BCS football rankings. He said, “Of course!” I told him that the odd part of this conversation is that I have never seen so many Oregon Ducks watching football games as I have seen at The Caribbean Saloon in Red Hook, St. Thomas. He said he was there last week. He pays $60 for a water taxi ride to Red Hook, St. Thomas from Tortola, BVI, in order to watch the Oregon games with all of his alumni friends who live in the Caribbean at that bar! It blew me away that there is a gaggle or a flock of Ducks all over the Caribbean and they are at The Caribbean Saloon on the weekends to cheer for their Oregon Ducks!

After that bizarre moment, I heard a rumor that there was a “cocktail” party on Clasship I. You remember that I mentioned them yesterday in my posting. They have one crazy crew headed up by Captain Simon. So, I wonder over to their BIG motor sailor and ask permission to come aboard. Holy Moly! They produced a great cocktail party with Phil, Neil, Debra, and Captain Simon pouring drinks and Chef Lisa handing out her world famous appetizers. It was a brilliant marketing idea because not only were the Charter Brokers on board, but many of the crews from other yachts were there, too.

Also, remember this is the yacht that cost about £3,000 a day to charter! I had a glass of Rosemont Cabernet/Merlot, and while I took my first sip I noticed an man who I learned was Gustavo Hamui – President of Blue World Yachts, smashing some limes in a glass with sugar with a BIG knife whose blade was in his hand. I immediately asked Chef Lisa if there was a first aide kit on board in case we needed a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. She said she was prepared, but all Gustavo was doing was preparing a Mojito for himself.

During my brief visit to the cocktail party I met Captain Greg and Chef Lana from La Dolce Vita – an Irwin 56” 6-Pax. They invited me to stop by and visit their yacht, so I did. What a lovely experience their guests will have! As I got back on the dock from visiting La Dolce Vita, Captain Chris and Chef Julie Bennett, from the yacht Blu Moon – a Beneteau 51 4-Pax, snagged me and suggested I might want to also check out their beautiful yacht. Again, this is a crew and a yacht that is not to be missed by one or two couples who want to explore the Caribbean in grand style.

I am on my way back home so I will stop at The Rum Hut to secure a taxi and to have my next to last cocktail of the evening. Amber is there to help me with taxi and to mix up a Voodoo Rum drink. I may need a nap before I head off the Paradise Point tonight for the Friday night Boat Show party. I will get back to you in a bit. Until then….