Ring in the New Year with an Old Year Celebration!

As all yachties know- the best place to be on New Year's Eve is on Jost Van Dyke, BVI for Foxy's world-renowned "Old Year Celebration". Great Harbour is the destination for a two day party blow-out that is full of non-stop entertainment. Headliners and local area bands will provide non-stop music from dusk to dawn at both the beach front and Outback concert venue. And of course, what would a celebration be without a special appearance by Foxy himself?! Be prepared to eat, drink and just be merry! Foxy will be serving up his special libations, including his legendary Pain Killers, Dread Fox, Sly Fox and four varieties of his own brew! And what is a great party without great food? Foxy's will be offering two dining choices. On the beachfront, a traditional Caribbean BBQ will be served with ribs, chicken and freshly caught fish accompanied by garden vegetables. For those that got their reservations in early- you will be feasting on the private second level Upper Crust dining area. On this year's menu: roast breadfruit vichyssoise with caviar; warm duckling pate in puff pastry; medallions of local lobster; hearts of palm and Jamaican ackee in a curried vinaigrette; wild mushroom and herb stuffed loin of veal; strawberry passion fruit tart and chilled Grand Marnier in dark Belgium chocolate cups! Yummy! (Who knew you could have gourmet dining at a beach front bar where various articles of underwear hang from the roof?) Great Harbour is sure to be packed port to starboard with charters. You can practically walk ashore. Wherever you celebrate New Years Eve, have a safe and Happy One! And, next year, how 'bout spending it aboard your catamaran charter and welcome in the New Year in the most unforgettable way possible! -Donna

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Caribbean Quiz

We have spent the whole year telling you about various aspects of the Caribbean. Let's see how well you know the Caribbean.

1) Sixty islands make up the British Virgin Islands, with Tortola being the largest. What is the name of the capital of the BVI?

2) Which island has been the backdrop for several films, including Doctor Dolittle (1967), Superman II (1980) and Water (1985)?

3) What two islands were the Pirates of the Caribbean filmed on?

4) Which Caribbean island is shaped like a butterfly?

5) On which island will you find a 17 mile pink sand beach?

6) Which island still has an active volcano?

7) Which island is shared by both the Dutch and French?

8)Which island was the most heavily fortified of any of the Caribbean islands?

9) Unlike the other islands, where many of the residents are descendants of slave, which island's descendants are from Norman and Breton settlers?

10) During the 17th and 18th Century, which island was known as the, "Golden Rock" because it was the international trading center for the western hemisphere?

11) What Caribbean island is nicknamed, "The Spice Island"?

12) Unlike many islands that have gained their independence, which island has remained a department of France?

13) Which island hosted the 2007 World Cricket Cup?

14) Which island's village, The Bottom, is actually located over 820' above sea level?

15) Where are the Spanish Virgin Islands located?

Answers: 1) Road Town;2) St. Lucia;3) St. Vincent & The Grenadines and Dominica;4) Guadeloupe; 5) Barbuda;6) Montserrat; 7) St. Maarten/St. Martin;8)Antigua;9) St. Barth;10)Statia;11)Grenada;12)Martinique;13)St. Kitts;14)Saba;15) Offshore of Puerto Rico

If you answered most of these correctly, you love to charter. If you missed most of them, you are missing a whole new world out there waiting for you to discover! Make 2010 the year you expand your horizons! - Donna

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Holidays In the Islands

Life is always laid back in the Caribbean, but no one ever needs an excuse for a party. The islands are well known for their colorful celebrations, but the one big party that extends essentially from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day is especially lively and joyous for everyone, including those on a Caribbean Bareboat Charter. Each of the islands has its own traditions and ways of celebrating the holiday season that reflect the local culture, and yet, there are some activities that are common to the tropical paradise known as the Caribbean including exchanging greeting cards; decorating homes with fun paint colors and new colorful window coverings; gift-giving; family feasts; church celebrations; various types of "Christmas trees" that are decorated with ribbons, ornaments and colored lights, and of course lots of awesome music, dancing and parades.

Here are some tidbits you might find interesting about the holidays in the Caribbean. Historically, the only Christmas cards available were from the colonial countries that controlled the Caribbean, such as Spain, England, Europe and the United States. The cards mirrored what was happening in those countries. Therefore, it was typical to have cards wishing people a, "white Christman" - an experience completely foreign to the Caribbean. Today, cards are often handmade, have a Caribbean flavor to them, and reflect the reality of the islands. They are sent to each other, as well as to family and friends around the world. And, in St. Lucia, one of the Christmastime traditions is called, "bursting the bamboo." Beginning the end of November and continuing until New Years, you can hear the sounds of bamboo bursting during the night. Neighborhood men use kerosene with rag and stick fuses to make canons out of hallowed out bamboo. Finally, in Montserrat, forget the plum pudding. Traditional fare at Christmas time is roast pig, goat water (stewed goat meat), potato pudding and dooknah (potato, coconut, oil and sugar wrapped in chainee bush). Click to learn more about the general traditions of the Caribbean, as well as specific celebrations on the various islands,in our Holidays in the Islands article.

Regardless of the different ritual, customs and traditions that may be present on each island, no matter where you go on your Caribbean bareboat charter, the holiday season is a festive and joyous occasion that you are welcome to be part of. If you want to do something really special with your family and friends, contact us to book your bareboat charter and celebrate Christmas and New Year's next year Caribbean-style. It will be a holiday you will never forget! - Donna

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Caroling with a Caribbean Twist

This weekend marks the 32nd Annual Parang Festival, which is held on the weekend before Christmas Day. It celebrates the unique music, entertainment and traditions of Carriacou, the tiny sister island of the Caribbean nation of Grenada. It was created in 1977 to keep alive the tradition of house to house serenading of string bands, an indigenous aspect of Carriacou's culture. These "string bands" are not made up of stringed instruments- rather, the groups use only percussion instruments. Festivities begin on Friday with a free open-air concert in the streets of Hillsborough, featuring carol singing, cultural presentations and parang string bands, followed by house to house "paranging" all night. On Saturday, there will be live performances from entertainers from around the world. On Sunday, organized parang groups from villages throughout Carriacou, Grenada and Petite Martinique compete for the challenge trophy and cash prizes, performing a compulsory Christmas Carol and their selected piece. The lyrics in the songs can be rather bawdy and controversial at times, reflecting on current political and historical events in the country. Traditional Carriacou celebration dances such as the Quadrille and Big Drum will also heat up the night.
While you are bundled up against the cold, maybe singing a carol or two, think about how you could spend Christmas next year on a Caribbean charter! -Donna
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Bareboat Caribbean

Now That's HOT!

The annual Scovie Awards recognize top fiery foods products from around the globe. Entrants representing companies from 32 states and 4 countries compete in this annual event that is one of the world's premier gourmet food competitions. About 800 products from around the world compete for top honors each year as a panel of the country's top culinary experts sample in blind tastings some of the world's most lauded gourmet foods before naming the winners. The award is named for Wilbur Scoville, who pioneered a rating scale for spicy foods, and the Scovie Awards were created by Dave DeWitt, founder of the National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show. So, why should you care? Well, when the results of the 2010 Scovie Awards results were just announced, Virgin Islands-based St. John Spice Company received a third place award in the Dry Rub/Seasoning-All Purpose category for its Cruz Bay Grill Rub! Made from roasted garlic, onions, peppers, cinnamon, nutmeg, fennel and other tasty spices, it is excellent as a dry rub or marinade on meat, chicken and seafood. You can also sprinkle it on potatoes or vegetables prior to roasting. You can order a jar through http://www.stjohnspice.com/. or better yet, pick up some when you visit St. John on your next Caribbean charter!

To enjoy something equally "HOT", come experience the vacation of a life time on Kings Ransom. She is a brand new 76' catamaran with all the latest in technology, amenities and comforts you could possibly imagine! Kings Ransom is fully air conditioned throughout with separate climate controls in each of her ensuite 5 guest cabins that can accommodate up to 10 guests. All cabins have been luxuriously appointed in wood and leather with ample storage cupboards. The beds are at knee level with walk around access and ensuite bath rooms have separate showers, wash hand basins and electronically operated toilets. You can enjoy wonderful drinks in the relaxing jacuzzi on the fly bridge or soak up some sun on the cushioned sunbathing area. Your professional crew of 4 is pleased to help you learn to play with all the fun water sport toys they have on board, tempt you with culinary delights and wait on you hand and foot to ensure that your experience aboard this super luxury charter is a dream vacation. Click to learn more about this incredibly "hot" yacht Kings Ransom. And, by the way, for a really exciting experience, starting May 1, 2010, she will be available for charter in Croatia-East Mediterranean. - Donna

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Raise Some Cheer!

This time of year gets so busy. I just got invited to another holiday party, I've been looking for a place to park at the mall, and I'm trying to find the perfect gifts for everyone on my list. It is so easy to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle, that sometimes I need that "aah" moment. For me, that moment always comes when I climb aboard my catamaran charter and experience the magic of the Caribbean. The arts, the music, the flavors, the fragrances, the beauty....there is no better way to relax and rejuvenate! So, while some of you raise your glass to make a cheer, others of you will be lucky and raise your main sail!

Raising the main sail is fairly easy, once you know how. Determine the wind directions and point the bow of the boat into the wind. Trying to raise the mainsail before pointing the bow of the boat toward the wind is a common mistake of new sailors. If the boat is not pointed into the wind, raising the mainsail may be impossible because the wind fills the sail when it is part way up, putting too much load on the halyard. Make sure the halyard is securely attached, and then unclamp and release the mainsheet in the cockpit. Hand-over-hand, steadily pull the halyard to raise the sail. When the resistance becomes too heavy, wrap the halyard around the winch and grind the winch by turning the winch handle until the sail reaches the top of the mast and the sail cloth is taut along the mast. Cleat off the mainsail halyard, coil it or place it our of the way so you can sail. Be careful, however, that you never tie off a coiled halyard in a way that you cannot immediately release it to run freely. You never know when you will want to lower a sail quickly! Steer slightly away from the eye of the wind and haul in on the mainsheet until there is not tension and the sail fills with wind. And, then, sit back and "aah"!

Whether you are an old salty dog or you are about to take your first Caribbean charter, you can always look like a pro. Click to see our article, "No Worries! Looking Like a Pro" to find more tips to capture those certain moments you can only capture aboard. - Donna
Bareboat Caribbean

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Special Gift from TMM!

For those of you that simply cannot leave behind the work or even stay off the internet during your catamaran charter, TMM Tortola charter base has a special gift just for you! Penny Compton from TMM just sent us this email:

"As from December 1st, there will be free wifi onboard all of TMM Tortola boats. There will be a permanently attached device which will create a wifi hotspot around the boat of around 200 feet. We are the FIRST and ONLY charter company in the BVI to offer this service, and oh, by the way, did I say it was FREE!"

If you have any questions, please be sure to contact us for the tech details, and while you are at it, go ahead and book your charter. There are still many last minute deals. You would not have to fight the holiday crowds and just think how excited your family would be to unwrap that present!!!! - Donna

Click for more information on FREE WIFI through Tortola Yacht Charters.

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