usvi-on-line
Day 4, Monday 6/25 Ocean Runner and the BVI's
Day 4, Monday 6/25 Ocean Runner and the BVI's
Forgot to add that Sunday night after La Tapa we enjoyed dancing (at least I did!) to a Reggae singer that was singing down by the water. No one wanted to dance with me, except my graduate who did for about 15 seconds to mug for the camera. I noticed a guy with a Forum t-shirt on taking videos and wanted to say "Hello", but he disappeared. I think he must have been at the Beach Bar for the gathering. If you know who you are, I have on a black sundress, dancing in front of my inhibited family.
Anywho, through the night I knew I was beginning to be in trouble. I have a history of intermittent Otitis externa, i.e. outer ear canal infections or swimmer's ear. I hadn't had one for a year and a half, but I felt my ear start to go bad. In the am, I started on cephalexin, which I have had in the past and improves it within one day. I decided to go ahead and snorkel with an ear plug in.
We parked our jeep at Donald Schnell's- very handy all week! We were in front of Ocean Runner's by 7:50 am. They opened promptly at 8. I stood in the store, just waiting my time as I could tell the guy was busy. Some sunscreen or such got in my eye and I stood there tearing up with my eyes closed when the guy asked me "Whats the name of your charter?" Trying to peer through my runny eyes, I said "We don't have a charter, we're just renting a boat." Boy, the owner just took a deep breath and said "Whats the name of your RES-ER-VATION," like I was an idiot. Anyway, I kept my patience with him, but boy did he have an attitude. I did tell him I chose him because of info off of this forum. He gave us Ocean Runner #3. Even having written out the boat and customs forms already, they took their time bringing the boat in from out in the bay. We didn't leave until 8:40.
Customs was at Tortola and that took another 40 minutes. While I was in there, a captain came in and tried to butt in line. The lady kindly took my information first anyway. Finishing up, I come out and see that he had tied his boat on the outside of ours and we couldn't leave anyway. He was a hired captain from Ocean Runner, having boat Ocean Runner #2. They were both 28ft Makos, however his was very spic and span, with new cushions. Ours had torn, mildewed cushions that couldn't be fastened down, consequently they were continuously on the floor. Oh, and our gas gauge was on empty. When we got the boat they said "don't worry about that- we just don't take the time anymore to fix it".
We waited for Ocean Runner #2 to leave, learning they were headed over where we were going- the caves and the Indians. We went to the caves first, thinking we'd avoid another boat then. However the Caves hook-ups were all full except one at the very far end anyway. The caves were super and the kids loved exploring in them. The Indians weren't as spectacular as I remember them, probably because the waves were strong today but they were still a great snorkel. We headed over to Soggy Dollar for lunch, had a GREAT lunch, the beach was luminous. Loved it, the kids were frolicking and not wanting to leave. The beach bartender was really friendly and the girl in the boutique store pretty much was not wanting us to touch anything, walking around looking at us suspiciously. We both got a t-shirt and headed out to Sandy Spit. Love this place, like a gilligan's deserted isle with its one lone palm. Had one hour and headed back to deliver the boat.
Coming back, the owner's attitude had not improved. I tell you I wouldn't rent from him again. Probably next time I'll splurge for an excursion. He did take our boat and told another group to come over and just use this boat. WAit, we thought later, he hadn't filled it up yet with gas! And with the busted gauge, we had no way of knowing how much we used, or how much the next group used, or if we were paying for their gas also. Geez.
Dinner tonight was takeout from Cookies BBQ. Kids loved it and between three orders, it filled 5 people up for $30. We relaxed around our pool plenty tired.
Anywho, through the night I knew I was beginning to be in trouble. I have a history of intermittent Otitis externa, i.e. outer ear canal infections or swimmer's ear. I hadn't had one for a year and a half, but I felt my ear start to go bad. In the am, I started on cephalexin, which I have had in the past and improves it within one day. I decided to go ahead and snorkel with an ear plug in.
We parked our jeep at Donald Schnell's- very handy all week! We were in front of Ocean Runner's by 7:50 am. They opened promptly at 8. I stood in the store, just waiting my time as I could tell the guy was busy. Some sunscreen or such got in my eye and I stood there tearing up with my eyes closed when the guy asked me "Whats the name of your charter?" Trying to peer through my runny eyes, I said "We don't have a charter, we're just renting a boat." Boy, the owner just took a deep breath and said "Whats the name of your RES-ER-VATION," like I was an idiot. Anyway, I kept my patience with him, but boy did he have an attitude. I did tell him I chose him because of info off of this forum. He gave us Ocean Runner #3. Even having written out the boat and customs forms already, they took their time bringing the boat in from out in the bay. We didn't leave until 8:40.
Customs was at Tortola and that took another 40 minutes. While I was in there, a captain came in and tried to butt in line. The lady kindly took my information first anyway. Finishing up, I come out and see that he had tied his boat on the outside of ours and we couldn't leave anyway. He was a hired captain from Ocean Runner, having boat Ocean Runner #2. They were both 28ft Makos, however his was very spic and span, with new cushions. Ours had torn, mildewed cushions that couldn't be fastened down, consequently they were continuously on the floor. Oh, and our gas gauge was on empty. When we got the boat they said "don't worry about that- we just don't take the time anymore to fix it".
We waited for Ocean Runner #2 to leave, learning they were headed over where we were going- the caves and the Indians. We went to the caves first, thinking we'd avoid another boat then. However the Caves hook-ups were all full except one at the very far end anyway. The caves were super and the kids loved exploring in them. The Indians weren't as spectacular as I remember them, probably because the waves were strong today but they were still a great snorkel. We headed over to Soggy Dollar for lunch, had a GREAT lunch, the beach was luminous. Loved it, the kids were frolicking and not wanting to leave. The beach bartender was really friendly and the girl in the boutique store pretty much was not wanting us to touch anything, walking around looking at us suspiciously. We both got a t-shirt and headed out to Sandy Spit. Love this place, like a gilligan's deserted isle with its one lone palm. Had one hour and headed back to deliver the boat.
Coming back, the owner's attitude had not improved. I tell you I wouldn't rent from him again. Probably next time I'll splurge for an excursion. He did take our boat and told another group to come over and just use this boat. WAit, we thought later, he hadn't filled it up yet with gas! And with the busted gauge, we had no way of knowing how much we used, or how much the next group used, or if we were paying for their gas also. Geez.
Dinner tonight was takeout from Cookies BBQ. Kids loved it and between three orders, it filled 5 people up for $30. We relaxed around our pool plenty tired.
We rented with a captain from ocean runner and at first got that bad attitude while they took care of the paperwork but we ended up having a great day.
Our captain was very nice.
When we got to the dock for gas the captain told us it would take a certain number of gallons and he was only of by 2! i was really impressed but he said that since they do it every day they know how much it takes to get to different places. I'm glad ours worked out so well based on the trouble you guys had!
Our captain was very nice.
When we got to the dock for gas the captain told us it would take a certain number of gallons and he was only of by 2! i was really impressed but he said that since they do it every day they know how much it takes to get to different places. I'm glad ours worked out so well based on the trouble you guys had!
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
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Robin in NC
- Posts: 332
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:19 pm
- Location: Kernersville, NC
I meant Candies! My kids loved it, the chicken was the best, then the ribs, and the fish was ok.