The Seduction of Intimacy and Exclusivity at Mooney Bay Estate. Your Private Playground Awaits. 22 pristine acres surround the distinctive estate house and slope gently to your own secluded bay. Mooney Bay Estate offers nature and luxury in perfect harmony. Now taking reservations for Fall 2010.
Call 1+888.624.3213 or info@mooneybaybvi.com
Mooney Bay Estate, PO Box 127, North Sound, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, VG1150 www.mooneybaybvi.com
THE CREW Copy Production Owen Waters, David Blacklock & Traci O'Dea Advertising Production Colin Rathbun, Nick Cunha & Richard George Advertising Sales Owen Waters :: owen@alookingglass.com Graphic Design Richard George & Nick Cunha Executive Producer Colin Rathbun, aLookingGlass Publishing colin@alookingglass.com For additional information contact Nick Cunha or Colin Rathbun at aLookingGlass or visit www.bviyg.com aLookingGlass #7 Road Reef Plaza, P.O. Box 3895 Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands t 284.494.7788 f 284.494.8777 www.alookingglass.com | info@alookingglass.com
letter from the editor Welcome to the June issue. Welcome to July’s BVI Guides. This month marks the beginning of our summer and with it the slow season, hurricane warnings, a slight increase in temperatures and very swimmable bays. Contrary to myth, the islands do stay open all year round, and there are as many events in the summer as in the height of season. In our guides this month we wanted to harness some of that summer energy, so our guides focus on exterior decorating, outdoor living (and cooking), hurricane preparedness, travel and keeping it green. Governor’s Point, the PG cover feature with its historic ruins, offers a delightful trip into the past while maintaining contemporary standards. Always dedicated to learning from the experts, we’ve enlisted contributions from key members of BVI architecture, design, legal and technology support. This month also marks a transition for our team as we say fond farewells to one of our key players in the design department, Richard George. We look forward to new ventures, new looks and new opportunities to explore and produce in the future. Do enjoy both sides of the magazine, and it is with some smiles that we present it to you in a market and lifestyle that is not necessarily as reactive as others, but still remains stable for the very reasons that define the BVI as a unique location and way of life.
Enjoy it whichever way you please.
On the Cover: Casey McNutt at the Chikuzen Cover photo by Daylon Walton of Random Photography
Owen Waters
aLookingGlass Ltd., publisher of BVI Yacht Guide, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content placed in its publications. For the avoidance of doubt, aLookingGlass gives no warranty or guarantee in regards to any information placed in its publications. BVI Yacht Guide and its contents are the intellectual property of aLookingGlass Ltd. Neither this magazine nor any part of it may be reproduced without written permission from aLookingGlass Ltd.
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JULY 2010 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
Owen Waters
Managing Editor Owen Waters :: owen@alookingglass.com
e m e n o s A N G U I L L A
FOR SALE A WORLD CLASS LUXURY RESORT DEVELOPMENT AND GOLF COURSE
7,063-yard championship golf course designed by Greg Norman, first opened in 2006. Proposed resort hotel and spa complex. 45 additional planned units and 14 acres of unallocated development land. 59 partially completed luxury residential units ranging from one to five bedroom residences, villas and estate homes.
Approximately 275 acres total including 4,500 feet of beach frontage.
For more information, visit www.TemenosResort.com or call Dominic Murray, 284.494.2446
contents
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Skipper’s Tips: An Ounce of Prevention Beats a Ton of Hurricane Hurt Hurricane season is upon us! Batten down the hatches and all that. But first find a place to park your boat.
Provisioning: Swap the Galley for the Grill this Summer 8 The steamy, below-deck galley is no place to spend a summer holiday, so Chef Susie suggests several delicious meals that can be prepared in the open air. Hang on to Your Hat: Hectic Hurricane Season Forecast Unfortunately, the US National Weather Service's annual Hurricane Outlook report did not silence the dockside predictions about this year's season.
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New Arrival: BVI Airways 10 YG attends the press conference for the inaugural BVI Airways flight. The new airline provides service to St Maarten, Anguilla and the BVI. Women Under Water: Dive BVI's Casey McNutt 12 Casey McNutt loves her job. In order to show her appreciation for living such a happy life, she donates time, equipment and energy to Reef Check BVI and other causes.
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Shoreside Review: Calypso Cafe Did someone say buffet? Traci stuffs herself on the fresh salads, soup, bread, vegetables and desserts while her friends gawk at how much she can eat.
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EDGE: Boys of Summer After winning Rookie of the Year from the New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association, Alec Anderson is ready for another summer representing the BVI.
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BVI Yachting D irectory 19 Look here for the most up-to-date yacht charter and broker listings. It's a great place to start if you're looking to buy or charter a yacht in the BVI.
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Skipper's Tips
by David Blacklock
An Ounce of Prevention Beats a Ton of Hurricane Hurt
Now that the hurricane season is officially upon us, it's a good time to discuss hurricane preparations. Ideally, you would have made arrangements for secure storage of your vessel or at least planned an option in case of an impending storm event. There are a few options to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Professionally run boats often secure a slip in such marinas as Village Cay, Nanny Cay, Sea Cow's Bay or Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour. Generally, in these instances, the yacht is secured between two slips and held in place with an anchor off the bow. Some marinas might rig heavy chains between the support legs of their slips so that multiple lines can be rigged. This is a good solution for many situations, particularly holding against high wind, but it is less than ideal when faced with a six-foot or ten-foot tidal surge, which can put great strain on the mooring lines. As most marinas in the territory lack floating docks, the vessel may rise above the dock level and then be dropped onto the solid dock. I'm sure you've seen that picture. Another fine option is to get entry into a hurricane hole such as Paraquita Bay, but positions there are generally limited to members of the BVI Marine Association—charter companies and the like. Paraquita is especially well protected—the
from dragging. A couple of years ago when it narrow channel in is the only entrance for storm seemed as if the area might be hit, a last-minute surge unless it comes over the top. In that case, all arrival in the anchorage off Village Cay was a bets are off. commercial ferry, fresh from the St Thomas run. Sailors who need to keep their boat in service The crew dropped an anchor, jumped aboard for commercial reasons or because they just like a waiting tender and sped away. It took just a to keep sailing might find that last-minute decision few hours for the ferry to be banging its stern making is just too late. Best to have a plan. Some on the finger pier, threatening the pier itself. The sailors might choose to tuck into a small cove or drop several anchors in a reasonably sheltered bay area Whatever you do, don't stay aboard the vessel— such as the inner harbour/ Wickham's Cay complex or find a hotel room or shelter of some kind. Trellis Bay. Tying off into the mangroves is a good option last one in the anchorage is the most dangerous, too, though once again storm surge is the issue. since they show up when the winds are already Anchoring needs special care—the dangers of blowing hard and there's a sense of urgency chafing lines are huge, and there's not much about getting off the boat. chance of rowing out to the boat in 80 or 100Whatever you do, don't stay aboard the knot winds to check on your gear. If you're going vessel—find a hotel room or shelter of some kind. to do it, do it right. Minimum of three anchors. Before departing the vessel, it's a good idea to Heavy chain. Oversized lines—the newer the line plug any openings such as ventilation areas or air the better since older lines can degrade from UV intakes for the engine, even exhaust outlets, since exposure and other stresses. Thick hose wrapped when the wind is blowing at extreme velocity the around nylon line to prevent chafing in chocks. All air is largely liquid. A surprising amount of water these are a bare minimum. can blow up your pipes. Take off any valuables The greatest danger when anchored or such as passport and ownership papers—the secured to mangroves or otherwise exposed next time you see them they might otherwise be comes from other boats dragging down on you. under water. YG Even when secured to a dock, you aren't safe
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Provisioning
by Susie Younkle
Swap the Galley for the Grill this Summer It’s the peak of summertime, and island life is even more relaxed than usual. Sultry days inevitably lead to more time spent sipping cool drinks and less desire to cook big meals. The lazy days of summer beg for leisurely outdoor gatherings with minimal work – and the easiest dinner preparation is to fire up the barbeque grill. A BBQ meal is particularly convenient on a boat, as grilling makes for easy clean-up. Cooking outdoors also creates a more social atmosphere, allowing everyone to gather in the cockpit. This is especially nice on a monohull, where the chef is otherwise “downstairs” in the galley and everyone else is up in the cockpit. As with nearly everything on a boat, give yourself extra time when grilling a meal. Trade winds are lovely—unless you’re trying to start a fire on your charcoal BBQ. In addition, grilling anything on a small standard-issue boat grill will take longer than you’re accustomed to on a fullsize Weber grill on land. If you’re chartering a boat, check with your charter company in advance to see if there’s a grill, which is present on most charter boats, and whether the grill uses propane or charcoal. Be sure to buy charcoal that contains lighter fluid, such as MatchLight, along with a stick lighter for easier ignition. Also, you may need to make a few adjustments when provisioning to account for small grill size. For example, choose items that cook quickly and do not plan to barbeque items that take up lots of grill space, such as full racks or ribs or other large cuts of meat. Most BVI restaurants serve excellent ribs, so enjoy them during a shore dinner. Although standard barbeque fare such as burgers and chicken are quick, easy and tasty on the grill, you might want to mix things up this summer. Consider grilling seafood and fish, which are generally healthier and lighter for summertime. Here are a few ideas:
• Seafood steaks: Instead of traditional beef steaks, try something new like calamari steaks. • Lobster tails: A deliciously decadent treat when served with drawn butter. Since whole lobster would likely take up too much grill space, save whole lobster for visits to BVI restaurants, which prepare excellent lobster in season. • Fresh fish: Select thicker cuts of meats such as steaks or whole fish for grilling. Small fillets will cook quickly but can easily stick to the grill. Oil the grill grates prior to cooking any fish.
You certainly don’t have to limit your grilling to entrées. Almost any food can be “grillable.” Potatoes make an excellent side dish, especially when diced and placed in foil to reduce cooking time. Or slice a variety of vegetables—bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant—and brush them with balsamic vinaigrette before grilling for a few minutes. Even dessert can be grilled. If you’ve never had grilled bananas or grilled pineapple, you’re in for a treat. Brush both with a little bit of rum before grilling, then sprinkle with brown sugar and top with whipped cream once cooked. After dinner, refresh your cool drink, kick your feet up and enjoy the final hours of a lazy summer evening. YG
Sponsored by
• Shrimp skewers: Shrimp skewers: Skewers are one of the most grill-friendly accessories and perfect for threading individual shrimp. (Soak the skewers in water so they won’t burn on the grill.)
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Riteway Food Markets provisioning service offers a number of services to help your visit to the British Virgin Islands be a fuss-free, enjoyable experience. Time is of the essence for you and our 20 plus years' experience in provisioning has enabled us to tailor our services to suit the needs of all concerned by providing a wide selection of choice foods, beverages, liquor and dry products. So, whether it is your private getaway schooner, or a Super Mega yacht, each order, no matter how large or small, is given the same amount of detailed attention and delivered directly to you. After all, it's the Riteway way of doing business!
Hang On to Your Hat Hectic Hurricane Season Forecast
by David Blacklock
If dockside gossip is to be believed, this year is going to be a record breaker in the hurricane category. Perhaps it is a feeling that we are beyond due for a significant landfall event, since dark mutterings were being offered even before the issuance of this year's annual Hurricane Season Outlook prepared by the US National Weather Service. This report has done nothing to quash the negative predictions. Quite the contrary, as the Outlook boldly forecasts a highly active hurricane season, with 14-23 named storms and a resulting 8-14 hurricanes and 3-7 major hurricanes. The report quite wisely states that “It only takes one storm hitting your area to cause a disaster, regardless of the activity predicted in the seasonal outlook.” Consequently, it is incumbent upon all boat owners and those responsible for the well-being of boats to take proper precautions against hurricane and other storm damage. But those precautions are necessary regardless of the predictions made at the beginning of the season. If past years are anything to go by, the predictions will be significantly at variance from the final numbers. But “it only takes one” ought to be the operating mantra for the preparation of hurricane defences.
Much of the evidence for the dramatic claims for hurricane activity is derived from anomalous weather behaviour—such as diminished trade wind activity and a spike in Sea Surface Temperatures. “Record warm SSTs are now present in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, with departures exceeding +1.5oC nearly everywhere east of the Caribbean Islands,” says the report, which goes on to say “this is much larger than the previous record departure of +0.95oC seen in 1958. This warmth is much larger than anywhere else in the global tropics.” Some years ago, whilst on a delivery south along the east coast of the US, we had to pull in to the intra-coastal waterway for a bit. Anchoring one afternoon in a particularly dark and murky creek, we decided we needed a swim to help alleviate the broiling heat of the day. Together the three
of us crew jumped into the tannin-stained water and happily splashed about. Eventually one of us wondered, “What do they call this place, anyway?” “Alligator river,” was the reply. Silence prevailed for a moment or two, then together we shouted “Alligator River???!!” as we thrashed our way to the swim ladder. A similar response might be called for every June, when the question is asked “What do they call this season, anyway?” And the answer comes, “Hurricane Season.” Time to get busy. YG The full report can be found here: http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/ hurricane.shtml
Restaurant, sports bar and water park
Great Harbour, Peter Island
284.540.1117
www.oceans7online.com
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New Arrival
BVI
Take to
by Owen Waters
the Sky
When I attended the inaugural flight press conference for BVI Airways, the key word was and is impressed. So, if you are reading BVI Yacht Guide on one of the scheduled flights to St Maarten, Anguilla and Tortola or on a plane or boat, start to get used to the concept.
All photos by Mason Marcus.
BVI Airways mean business, and it’s of considerable standing that their press conference was a welcoming by dignitaries such as Myron Walwyn of the BVI Tourist Board and the Honourable Julian Fraser whose choice words were “Welcome” and “Make everyone proud.” Mr.Walwyn went on to say, “This is a necessary relief of stress for European travelers to the BVI.” Joanna Newling Ward of Romasco group, representing BVI Airways primary agent Travel Plan, was also on hand to support the new venture. Impressive was the ease with which CEO Captain Luke Smith and partner Scott De Lacy handled themselves on what anyone would imagine to be a stressful day. In fact, the opposite as Luke stated, “We have been at this enterprise for a long time, and it is by choice and due diligence that we are operating out of the BVI.” To begin with, BVIInside Airways intends to cover flight plans past Antigua the cockpit. and into Dominica as well as BVI to St Maarten. On a 19-seater Jet stream 32 British Aerospace vessel, the guys are currently operating a six 10
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day week. Luke went on to talk about what stage the company presently finds itself, “We are learning every day what our passengers need, and that is the beauty of it—we can adapt and make sure the island we have chosen is served best by us. We are here to stay and want to get along.” So, Yacht Guide I propose to him citing it as a relevant read and before I begin to explain the benefits he smiles, “Well, we want to be sure that we are getting people off and on the rock at key times. This means regattas, and also getting to holiday destinations on time is paramount in this day and age. Exploring islands and looking at properties is important, and we recognize that, making sure everyone can enjoy the full benefits of events that are going on in between islands and broadening their horizons is what we are all about. So, BVI Property and Yacht Guide go with us where we go.” With July and August holidays, we thought it then appropriate to mention some goings on between St Maarten (SXM), the BVI (EIS), Dominica (DOM) and Antigua (ANU), and we hope you get a chance to enjoy as many destinations as you can. YG
Passengers board the inaugural flight.
St Maarten (SXM) St Martin Caribbean Festival: July 10-14 Victor Schœlcher Grand Case Festival: July 20-22 St Maarten/St Martin Summer Fest: August St Martin Open-Air Film Festival: July-September Moonlight Golf : August
BVI (EIS) HiHo Windsurfing Competition: June 26-July 4 Emancipation Festival: July 23-August 7
Dominica (DOM) 17th Annual Dive Fest: July 9-18
Antigua (ANU) 52nd Annual Antigua Carnival Celebrations: July 24-August 3
Summer Special Tortola to St. Maarten fares as low as $99
Booking Agent
284 494 2347/8 and 284 340 2347 travelplan@romascobvi.com Romasco Place, Admin Drive, Road Town, Tortola BVI. VG1110 284 495 5580 and 284 340 5580 Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda, BVI VG1150 www.bviguides.com | ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING BVI YACHT GUIDE JULY 2010
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Woman Under Water
by Traci O'Dea
Dive BVI’s Casey McNutt Most Texans I know are inherently upbeat and self-assured. In addition to that big-state confidence, they also tend to be some of the most open and giving people I’ve ever encountered. Casey McNutt is no exception. I first met her at the Governor’s House for a reception honouring Dr. Gregor Hodgson of Reef Check International.Within five minutes of our introduction, she was offering me a place to stay the next time I visited Virgin Gorda and insisting that we keep in touch. I’m from Baltimore, Maryland, a place that’s famous for the HBO crime series The Wire, and while I come from a very warm and welcoming family, I’m still a bit sceptical of Southern hospitality. But Casey’s warmth, I found out after meeting her a few more times then spending a morning with her at Little Dix Bay, is genuine. She appreciates her life in the BVI, the opportunity to run a successful business in the Caribbean, the tight-knit community on Virgin Gorda, and the chance to give back whenever she can. Casey and her husband Jeff McNutt moved to the BVI eight years ago on a whim. “We had told the family that we were just going to do a year [in the Caribbean],” Casey said. “Then after a year, we were like, ‘This is fun. Let’s do another year.’ After another year, we were pretty hooked and didn’t want to go anywhere. We loved our jobs and the people that we worked with and the island.” She and Jeff had started out working as dive instructors for Dive BVI at their Marina Cay location then they became the general managers of Dive BVI headquarters in Virgin Gorda. Two years later when the owners sold, the new owner asked if they would like to buy in. “So now we’re part owners,” she said, clearly proud of the business that she’s helped to keep flourishing. “Last year was our second best year on record in 25 years,” she said which really surprised me when I’ve seen other dive shops closing down or laying off their employees. Dive BVI just hired two new instructors, in fact. “Even after these two permits come through, I could
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Photo courtesy of Daylon Walton for Random Photography.
“There are things we do that aren’t just dive related, so our model reaches out to more, and I think that’s one of the reasons we had a really good year.”
use another two,” Casey said. “Just to make it so everybody can get their days off.” When I asked Casey why she thought Dive BVI continued to do so well, she said, “[Virgin Gorda is] a destination where a lot of people come on vacation, and they dive on the side, rather than a dive destination. We don’t just do dive trips. We have day trips, snorkel classes, eco excursions, kayak trips. There are things we do that aren’t just dive related, so our model reaches out to more, and I think that’s one of the reasons we had a really good year.” Instead of simply concentrating on what services they already provide, Casey said she’s constantly asking herself ‘What else can we do to bring more people in?’ Dive BVI has recently expanded—their new shop on Scrub Island opened in June. “It’s stunning,” Casey said of the new location. “We’ve got a full classroom, a nice compressor, a workroom area. We’ll be able to teach in the pool.” She lit up as she spoke of the new shop. “We’re also hoping to have a local dive day once a month [from Scrub] for East End residents at a super-low rate. Just a two-tank dive that goes out and does something fun to get people off the island and out diving.” When she mentioned offering dives to the community, I was reminded of our Reef Check
encounter, so I asked her about her involvement with the reef-monitoring assocation. “We’ve been involved for a couple of years—donating the boats,” she said. “Trish Baily’s done a phenomenal job of keeping it standard, but you can only do it for so long before you can pass the torch—knowing it stays at the same level. What we’re trying to do is take over that torch for Virgin Gorda. Have a [Reef Check] branch here so Dive BVI will ultimately adopt reefs, and we’ll have transects that we do every year. Hopefully we can get a little core group of tourists that come, and that will be the transect that they work on. We also have a really popular summer program here that the Fishermen’s Co-op does, so the kids that are old enough to do the fish identification course…we’ll teach that core group of kids the protocol for Reef Check, and then we’re going to put a snorkel-level transect out at Nail Bay, Mahoe Bay, and that’ll be their transect.” Casey stressed the importance of educating young islanders about the reefs. “Hopefully, the kids that are growing up here will start to own that reef. They’ll start to see it as theirs, and then it becomes important.” Education is key to preserving the reefs that provide many residents of the BVI with their livelihood. She brought up the additional, recent
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Still smiling, even out of the water. Photo courtesy of Casey McNutt.
Casey’s genuine happiness comes, in part, from appreciating a job that she loves. threat of the invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish. “The experts at REEF [Reef Environmental Education Foundation] say that if you start seeing them regularly, they’ve been here at least two years because of the way they reproduce. So, the fishermen need to know what they look like and how to safely capture them. It’s important, I think, that the restaurant industry here starts learning how to cook them and make them worth the fisherman catching them.” She suggested that lionfish should become a high-end menu item. “Have them up on the level with swordfish and lobster.” Casey would not be opposed to ordering them from BVI menus. “They taste great,” she told me, mentioning that she’d had some at a trade show in Florida. Dive BVI even offers a free dive to anyone who spots a lionfish. “We’re telling our dive guests about it,” she said, “and if they spot one and notify their instructor, their dive is free.” Diving brought Casey to the BVI in the first place, and it’s something that she still loves. Though already candid and forthcoming, she seemed to open up even more when I asked her about her favourite dive spots. “The wreck of the Chikuzen has a special place for me,” she said. “It has probably been one of the most exciting dives I’ve ever done…We had one dive when we had four lemon sharks, two reef sharks, and rays everywhere. It’s always exciting with the barracuda and the history.” She also spoke of staghorn corals. “They’re so pretty, and they’re coming back in full force,” she said. “From what I understand, a lot of reef people say that is a good sign of a
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healthy reef—a great indicator because if the reef can support those fragile ones then everything else picks up.” Casey also mentioned several seahorses that have been spotted in the BVI lately. “There were a couple on the Rhone. I saw them then they disappeared then we had a staff member find one on Thumb Rock then another one on Ginger Island in the past month and a half.” She obviously loves being in the water. “My job is not in the water as much as it used to be. I love what I do now, but [diving] brings back the excitement every time. It’s never been work for me; it’s just been fun.” Casey’s genuine happiness comes, in part, from appreciating a job that she loves. “I grew up in a loving house. My parents never really fought in front of us, but I remember waking up and hearing them… talking about how much they hated their jobs,” she said, wiping her eyes. She never forgot that memory and as a child told herself that she’d never choose a career that made her unhappy. “I’m fortunate that I can make a living doing what I love to do. I’m happy to go to work every day. I get on the boat, and I go, ‘I can’t believe I work here.’ ” Casey then motioned to the scenery of Little Dix Bay. “This is my backyard," she said. "Who gets to do that?” YG
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Technology simplified
call for support
1.284.494.9667
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Shoreside Review by Traci O'Dea
My friends and I left behind the lunchtime commotion of Tortola’s banking district as we paraded into the cool and shady Calypso Cafe, tucked away in Village Cay. After we selected a large table by the entrance, the first thing I noticed was the lunch buffet set up along the back wall.
The cheesecake was a hit at the buffet. All photos by Traci O'Dea.
I’m American. Americans love buffets. I pointlessly perused the lunch menu, briefly paused at the pumpkin soup, all the while knowing I was going to order the buffet. I was seriously baffled when others ordered off the menu. Luckily, I wasn’t the only one who was ready to pile up a plate (or two or three) of Calypso’s fresh offerings—my coworker Françoise Frank chose the buffet as well. While everyone waited for their meals, I strolled up to the buffet and
made myself a large plate of salad for my first course. The garden salad was crisp and fresh, as was the fruit salad, but the highlight of my first plate of food was the homemade three-bean salad— chickpeas, pigeon peas and kidney beans tossed in a tangy vinaigrette with red onion, green pepper, shaved carrots and spices. I savoured every bite and even mixed it in with the other salads to give them a bit more zest. Once everyone else’s lunches arrived, Frankie and I dished out our main courses. Buffet offerings included mutton stew, grilled chicken, baked fish, steamed
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Most meals, I claim never to have room for dessert. Clearly, this is a lie.
The conch burger, curly fries and slaw.
vegetables, scalloped potatoes, and rice and peas. Frankie loaded up her plate with the mutton, rice and peas, scalloped potatoes and garden salad. I chose the vegetables, rice and peas, potatoes, and a fresh-baked roll then added a little bit more of the bean salad from the salad bar. It was that good. Back at the table, Sasha Joyce from Deloitte munched on her massive chicken Caesar salad and remarked on the originality of our friend James Fairburn’s conch burger. “I don’t think I’ve seen that on a menu anywhere before,” the Tortola-born Sasha said. James, a junior solicitor at Martin-Kenny, happily snacked on his meal and pronounced that “everywhere on island should have curly fries.” James’s co-worker Charlie Brigden’s chicken wrap was overflowing with grilled chicken breast, lettuce, tomato and cucumber. I think they each had as much food on their plates as my first two courses combined. Calypso Cafe definitely believes in big portions. I polished off my second plate of food then went back to the line of chafing dishes and platters for another helping of the creamy, cheesy, crusty, perfectly peppered potatoes and a third helping of the bean salad. While I was up there, I noticed the pumpkin soup for the first time, and I was pleased that I hadn’t ordered it from the menu. The very helpful manager noted my attempt to juggle the bowl and bread and plate and offered to bring
the soup to the table for me. When I returned to the table, I noted that Frankie had barely gotten halfway through her first plate, but she assured me that everything was delicious, especially the tender mutton. The pumpkin soup was decadent with equal portions of pumpkin and cream, but it somehow wasn’t heavy or too rich. I dipped my roll into it and savoured each bite while my friends finished their meals. “I’m stuffed, and I’ve only eaten half my sandwich,” Charlie said. Somehow, even after finishing up my soup, roll and plate of potatoes and beans, I wasn’t stuffed. Most meals, I claim never to have room for dessert. Clearly, this is a lie. Because my buffet lunch was way more food than what I typically consume at lunch or dinner time, but I was able to manage a small slice of cheesecake and a cube of carrot cake. I think it’s something about the buffet mentality. When I come to a buffet, I fully commit. Just like I would commit to a five-course meal. I like that. A buffet is just another way of saying five-course meal. I wasn’t the only one who liked the cheesecake—it was quickly disappearing from the dessert table, and the moist and spongy carrot cake, flavoured with raisins and allspice, provided the perfect ending to my fivecourse meal. YG
Calypso Cafe (494.1234) is open Sunday through Friday, 8am to 10pm and on Saturdays from 4pm to 10pm.
BVI YACHT CHARTERS...
THE BOATS. THE SAILING. THE EXPERIENCE...
“Your service was superb… from my first call to book a charter to our last contact when we headed home from the marina.” A satisfied BVI Yacht Charters guest
B V I YA C H T C H A RTER S BVI Yacht Charters is the first port of call for all yacht charters and sales in the BVI. Whether you are looking to charter or to buy, looking for Bareboat or Crewed yachts, a Catamaran or a Monohull, a week or just a few days, our professional team is on hand to make it work, your way.
Tailored and Personal Service Yacht Brokerage service available Beneteau Fractional Programmes Monohulls from 31’ to 52’ Catamarans from 36’ to 47’ 24 Hour Emergency Call Out
T: +1 888 615 4006 or +1 284 494 4289 or E: charters@bviyc.com
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Alec representing his college team, the Roger Williams Hawks. Photo courtesy of Rob Migliaccio.
Sailing Program, but more than that, he said, “Of all While Tortolian Iyaz continues to the coaches I’ve ever had, Chris is by far the most dominate the international pop charts, his motivating. Right before a race, he revs my engines countryman Alec Anderson dominates the when they need to be revved. He pumps me up collegiate sailing world. Iyaz and Alec both when I need to be pumped up.” I imagine Chris have the “it” factor, and I never quite knew as a modern-day version of Shakespeare’s Henry what that meant until I met Alec last year. He’s a young man whose feet never seem to V, inciting Alec to give his life for the honour of his country, the BVI: “He that outlives this day, and touch the ground, yet he remains incredibly comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day grounded. He is gracious and appreciative is nam'd...” Okay, maybe he’s more like John Belushi with impeccable manners, yet he can party in Animal House “Where's the spirit? Where’s the like he was born on the Willy-T. Well, he guts? This could be the greatest night of our lives...” practically was born on the infamous pirate Coach Chris is proud of his star student. When I ship bar—his grandfather Mick Gardner asked him why Alec and father Ewan deserved to win Anderson are the Alec deserved to win Rookie of the Rookie of the Year, proprietors. Year, Chris said, "Because he sailed Chris said, “Because As his successful he sailed better than first year of university better than any other rookie by far!" any other rookie by wraps up, Alec looks far!” The qualities that forward to a “summer separate Alec from other sailors, said his coach, are full of sailing.”His schedule includes the Laser Gulf his insatiable appetite for learning about sailing and Coast Championship and Laser North American his ability to stay focused for long periods of time, Championship in Texas, the Central American and “but his one weakness is that he tends to lose that Caribbean Games in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico and focus when he’s in the lead.” Alec’s greatest tactical the Laser Radial Men’s World Championships in strengths, according to Chris, are his downwind Largs, Scotland. “It’d be great to do well at the CAC speed and his starts. But Alec’s desire to constantly Games,” Alec said then added, “but I’m putting the improve makes him stand out above other sailors. most pressure on myself to succeed in the Worlds.” “He’s taken something from every coach, friend, With him at the Worlds in Scotland will be his competitor, clinic and regatta. He learns from as long-time sailing coach, Chris Watters. “It’ll be a many people as possible which has helped round good time,” Alec said. I’m sure it will, I thought. I’ve him into his own sailor.” seen photos of the VW camper microbus that Before they tour the world, both Alec and Iyaz the Andersons are providing for the boys’ tour of were home in the BVI for a bit—in Cane Garden Scotland, Ewan’s birthplace, and I’m looking forward Bay for BVI MusicFest. “I’m extremely pumped to to photos of their escapades. be on the beach without a sweater listening to But it’s not going to be all fun and games in the music that I love,” Alec said. We’re excited for Scotland. Alec will be there to win, and Chris will Alec, too, and wish him the best this summer as he be there to make that happen. Alec praised the represents the BVI abroad. YG fact that Chris has always treated him like an equal, even when he was a kid in the RBVIYC Youth 18
JULY 2010 BVI YACHT GUIDE ALOOKINGGLASS PUBLISHING | www.bviguides.com
EDGE Boys of Summer by Traci O'Dea
Upcoming Races Firecracker (WEYC race) 3 Jul Premier’s Cup 10 - 11 Jul Manhattan Yacht Club Trophy Race 18 Jul Back to Schools Regatta 4 - 5 Sep Open Sail to Norman Island 25 Sep Pete Sheals Match Racing 2 - 3 Oct Willy-T Virgins Cup Race 9 Oct BVI Schools Regatta 30 - 31 Oct Drakes Channel Treasure Hunt 6 Nov Round Tortola Race 20 Nov O'Neal & Mundy Commodores Cup & Prizes 18 Dec And if that's not enough, check out the forum on www.IC24.org for more weekly beercan racing action right off the southern end of Nanny Cay. IC24s are the new fad in racing and spreading fast to the rest of the Caribbean and North America.
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