S/V flying Cloud, August 1996
Trip Report by Marsha Lucash

Well, I'm back. My body is at least. I think. Maybe. Of
course, maybe I should have stayed. The offer was made, I
had the time and fool that I am I left. Regret set in at
the St. Thomas airport, but I figured that was too late. So
I'm sitting here with my notes and on line for real. I
figure that this is my best shot at any sort of trip report.
If I got too organized then I would lose the flavor of the
trip.
I'd like to preface the balance of my remarks by reminding
you that I am a single woman and I was on a singles' cruise.
Since *P is a family service and this is an open board I
will couch my report with that in mind. So feel free to
fill in the blanks.
I'd forgotten how nice it is to take a domestic flight.
Walked through the airport with one small bag over each
shoulder and straight to the gate. When they announced that
you were only allowed one bag as carry on I offered to give
one up but was allowed both anyway.
Very quiet seatmates on the plane. Can never understand how
people can sit down next to someone and not speak. I did
finally get them to warm up a bit. Uneventful flight over
wispy clouds and dappled blue water just lightly touched
with white specks.
Arrived to sun in St. Thomas. Walked around the airport.
Interesting getting through the turnstile with two bags, but
managed without too much trouble. Walked through the
airport. Came to the USVI desk where the gentleman said
"Welcome to h*ll". No kidding. I guess he wasn't having a
great day.
Continued out to the taxi area. By the time I was assigned
a ride there was a gentle rain falling. Once I was in the
van a downpour began. Rained the whole ride. First stop
Blackbeard's Castle. Looked nice. Second stop Ramada Yacht
Haven. That was mine. Place was adequate. Right where
the cruise ships docked. Two double beds. Just for me!
Waited for the rain to stop and then made the 15 minute walk
into Charlotte Amalie. Downtown Charlotte Amalie that is.
Shopping area looked like lots of others I'd seen,
particularly St. Martin. Walked around but didn't buy
anything except for a hamburger at Burger King. (Stop
laughing. I'd looked at the menus for the various
restaurants at the hotel. Prices were VERY high and I'd no
wish to spend that much on dinner alone. Good part of why I
like all inclusive vacations!
Walked back, rain started again. Put on Showtime and spent
quiet evening waiting for SUNDAY!
Morning was overcast. Got into a bathing suit and walked to
the little grocery and the pier. Purchased a light breakfast
and took it to the pool. By now the sun was out.
Met a couple there who were in the process of moving from
Tampa to St. Thomas. Just sold everything, including his
golf clubs. They said their car had just cleared customs
and were now starting to look for a place to live. Then
would come jobs!
Bought a few things in the hotel shops. Prices no
different, nicer shirts and such. Even found a culotte set
(rayon, washable) for$25!
Checked on things at the desk. Nice lady allowed me an
extra hour in my room (1 instead of 12). By the time I
went to shower and change it was raining again. Spent most
of the afternoon reading in the hotel lobby. Walked to
Wendy's (which was right next door for lunch. Made it back
just in time. Pouring again.
In the lobby I met a young woman who is a nurse. Working
at a nursing home. As a traveling nurse. Never occurred
to me that there were assignments like THAT available!
Other interesting note about the hotel is that I saw
couples, families and groups of men. No single women.
Finally it was time to leave for the pier. I'd intended to
take the bus but not with the rain. So it was a cab.
Approached by several men wanting to take my bags until they
saw the Windjammer tags. Then it was straight to Native Son
and then I was directed across the street for my first
meeting with Pam and fellow shipmates.
I had been concerned about missing out on the deal WJ has
for the ferry, taxi and departure tax. I thought that was
offered at the airport, but it was actually at the ferry.
We boarded as a very happy group and sat up top. Fun ride,
rum punch (not bad) served. Customs in Road Town was very
slow. And there were insects all over. But we survived.
Then things began to look up.
Walked to the next pier. Bob (the Chief Engineer) and Kid
were waiting for us. Swizzles and smiles. Plenty of both.
Launch to the ship. More smiles. First meeting with
Captain Adrian. Introduced myself only giving my first
name, but he already knew the last one. Seems a certain
pirate had warned him of my impending arrival!
I had previously requested, and was assigned to, Cabin 1.
Since I was the first one there and was nursing a sprained
ankle I took the lower bunk. Quickly began unpacking, then
went up on deck.
Steel band played. Danced a bit. One passenger was a young
attorney from Memphis. Specialty was corporate law. Played
football in school. Unfortunately his name wasn't Mitch,
but Ken.
Fairly early to bed. I was determined to spend one night
there so I could ask how many of us had spent the night in
that same bed?
Woke at 5. Stayed quietly below until about 6. Went up for
muffins and coffee. First and only experience with the
coffee. Terrible stuff.
Spent the morning exploring Road Town. By now I had a
blister on the back of my left foot. The one with the
sprained ankle. No more shoes with backs for me.
We sailed at 1 for Salt Island. Swam off the side.
Beautiful. Even someone like me felt comfortable in the
water. Many of us wore belts and clung to blue pads.
One of the men attempted to attach himself to me. He had
introduced himself as "Eric, as in the Red". He had started
drinking (that we saw) when the bar opened at 8:30AM and was
quite inebriated. Quite. I tried to avoid him but he
somehow caught up to me at dinner and managed to sit next to
me. It was embarrassing. I excused myself. Stopped to speak
with the Capt. and the Chief. The Captain offered to speak
with him, but I said if I continued to have a problem I
would prefer to deal with it myself. Meanwhile my table
mates were beckoning. Seems that Eric left after I did and
moved to another table. (As someone put it "Once the babe
was gone he went to the party table".)
I wanted to sleep on deck, but saw some lightening and given
the amount of rain I'd been seeing I opted for my bunk
again. This time I discovered that sleeping between the
blankets was preferable to between the sheets. I just
didn't like the plastic feel of the mattress.
Tuesday morning we sailed for Mountain Point (which is on
Virgin Gorda). Pretty beach. Lunch was planned ashore as
were the boat races and volleyball. Heavy rain again, right
at the end of the boat races. All ran for the water. This
was where my boonie got broken in! but it kept the water
from raining into my eyes. (But not from bouncing up from below.)
Pulled a mat up by the chart house and went to sleep. Woken
several times by one of the guys. Then he gave up and went
below. Finally around 2 things got quiet. Bar closed.
Curtis made a circuit of the deck. I waved, he stopped and
we talked for a while. (Since I didn't spend much time at
the bar, I pretty much got to know the bartenders when they
were away from it.) He left to let me get back to sleep, but
it was too quiet.
So I went below, read a bit and then to sleep.
Wednesday morning we sailed around the island and docked at
Spanishtown. Some folks took buses, some tours, and some of us
rented jeeps. I went off with three gentlemen in a jeep. First
to the Baths. The path to the baths is a bit treacherous. Clif
was pointing something out to me and I slide. Landed on my left
leg and hand. Big scrape on my leg.
The baths were worth it. We explored and hung out in a spot where
it was just beautiful. Just the four of us. Hardly saw anyone else.
(So you don't think I'm the only clutz, Jeff slide once, wound up
wrapped around my hips. There is still some doubt as to whether it
was deliberate or not. He said that his aim would have been different
if it was.)
Back up to the top and lunch at Mad Dog's. Beautiful spot. Breeze.
Hammock (for the ones that know the difference, it was a real Pawley's
Island one). However, the young women preparing the food kept
skipping mine. My friends had been served and finished eating.
Someone told Colin (the owner). He had words for the ladies. Then
he apologized to me and said he would buy me lunch. Not a totally
bad way for it to have worked out!
Then we went to Pusser's. That was pretty much at the farthest point
from where we were so it constituted a brief tour of a very beautiful
island. Consideration is being given to two full days there.
We had Pusser's to ourselves for quite a while. The shops, pool and
beach. As though it was just there just for us. I purchased an XXXL
t-shirt and a water proof box there. After leaving the shop I remembered
their beautiful bags and went back inside asking why my purchase had
been put into a paper one. The nice lady told me that they were usually
given with purchases over $100 but gave me one anyway.
The sail was worth it. Anchor raised, sails hoisted,
Amazing Grace and then dawn. I don't understand how anyone could
stay below, but most did.
This was now Thursday. We dropped anchor at Norman Island.
I wondered what the fuss was about until I got into the water with my
snorkel gear. (Incidentally, I rented gear on board. First mask I ever had
that really fit right. No leaks. I HATE leaks. And when my feet swelled
and the original flippers were too tight there was no problem with
Monica in changing them for a roomier pair.)
Thursday night was the PPP&P party. I dressed as a "P". I won a bottle of
champagne. I don't think I want to tell much more else here, but I think I
may be remembered for a while by passengers and crew alike.
Changed my clothes to sleep on deck. Again an early
sail. This time to Cooper Island. Pretty little beach.
One small boutique. Couple of the girls bought what is
referred to there as a sarong. (Many regional names for
them.) I showed them a few ties while they were waiting
for the sales girl to show them some. She showed them one
and asked me to show her the ones I had showed them!
Lunch was on the beach. More volley ball. Last day,
expected a big night, so I went back early. Thought I
would take a nap, but didn't.
We sailed back to Road Town. Docked. We were given our
certificates stating that we had survived the cruise.
Bernie stopped me on my way below with it to give me a
cardboard tube to protect it on the way home.
Then it was the Captain's Dinner. There was to be a big
todo ashore, but I don't think too many made it there. I
went below after dinner to start packing. Never even made
it up for desert. Amy had left a call for 6:30, but our
bags were to be out by 7. I was up and in the shower by 6.
Very subdued group at breakfast that morning. Sad
farewells.
Because of a change in the ferry schedule we were bused to
West End. Not a bad change overall. (I dozed off in the
ferry and had to be awoke for the rum punch.) But I got to
the airport two hours before flight time. More than enough
time to have decided that I should have stayed that second
week. Tried to figure out if there was anyway to call the
ship and say I'd changed my mind. But couldn't come up with
a plan. So it was on the plane for me.
Came back to 70 degree weather. When I heard that I KNEW I
should have stayed. I'm a bit subdued myself today. Not
too sure who I want to tell what to. There was some email
waiting for me, but not too many folks knew exactly when I
would be home.
The things that somehow got left out of the rest of the
report were mostly how extremely NICE everyone was to me. I
mentioned some of the small kindness' I was the recipient
of. There were more that I probably couldn't even recount.
I do remember several bottles of champagne. One purchased
at dinner, a couple before dinner the next night.
(Incidentally, it was Tott's. Not bad.) Once people calmed
down the group overall was very nice. Eric did have to be
spoken to. He continued to drink to excess, but was quieter
and more selective about his companions.
Every crew member I came into contact with was wonderful.
And helpful. And incredibly nice about it. (One night we
slept beneath the tarp. The crew had to take it down about
4:30 to prepare for sailing. Two men took it down so
quietly and unobtrusively that no one still asleep woke up.)
Rhonda and Monica were always a delight. Cheerful and
smiling. Little Cooking Fat befriended those who slept on
deck, so she and I became friends. Bernie well deserves his
nickname "Bouncing Bernie". Always moving, usually dancing.
Somehow I left out the sail boat races. Not a regular
happening on FC, but since Paul was there we were treated to
them. I won't tell any more about that either, let you
experience it yourselves. By now you're wondering why I
didn't stay. I asked about the passenger manifest for the
following week. Ten single women, eight single men. Out of
about 65 pax. That leaves a lot of couples. Wasn't sure how
I'd feel about that. After the way my week had gone and all.
Tony. Your letter was safely delivered. I was told several
times to say "Hi" to you. Everyone told me what a
hardworking wonderful guy you are. And I was told we
have some things in common. (Certainly not appearance!) It
was suggested that I plan I trip down sometime to coincide
with one of your's.
Vernon. I took my boonie everywhere. Didn't wear it that
much. But then I didn't use any sun screen either. Seems I
had pretty much maxed out on my tan.
Sandra. The scrapbook apparently has disappeared. Crew
didn't know what had happened to it and they weren't happy
about it's status. I do think they'd like to see another
addition(?).
That's about it. But I think next time I will schedule a
week and PLAN on two.
Marsha

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