Sworn to Secrecy

Several weeks ago, as part of our never-ending preventative maintenance program, we ordered a brand new trampoline from Robertson & Caine’s supplier in South Africa, Ullman Sails. Our tramp had developed a small tear and while it could have been repaired, the likelihood of it developing future tears given its age prompted Michael to just go ahead and order a new one.

While it seemed simple enough initially, the process for us getting the new tramp was unfortunately complicated after the order was placed. The original plan was for the trampoline to be shipped by jet to St. Martin and then forwarded on to USVI by Liat. After the first leg had already been completed, we were told that Liat no longer delivers cargo to the USVI, only to the BVI. Even though we have no shipping address on Tortola, we told them to go ahead and send it there anyway and that we’d somehow figure out a way to pick up the trampoline at the airport.

I had hoped to be able to make a quick trip to the airport last week when, coincidentally, we ended up in Trellis Bay for the full moon party. Alas, that was not to be as I spent all of my “free” time while there helping our friend and service guru Rayon replace all of our shifter and throttle cables (they get very stiff over time). And so, our trampoline continued to sit at the airport, waiting for us to come and get it.

Yesterday morning, with reasonable weather in the forecast and a couple of days free before Michael arrives to visit, Rebecca and I topped up the fuel tanks and made the run back to the BVI. Even though we had 15 or more knots of wind against us, we made good speed under power. It took us a tiny bit more than 2 hours to make it from Charlotte Amalie to Soper’s Hole in Tortola. It took us 30 minutes to drop the dinghy down, go clear customs there and then get underway again. It took us an additional 2 hours to make it to Trellis Bay and pick up a mooring ball near the airport. Not bad!

Neither Rebecca nor I had ever been in the Beef Island airport but it is literally steps from the dinghy dock in Trellis Bay (even though it is so close, apparently you can take a taxi there for $5.00 if you have a ton of luggage, or have a broken leg). The Liat counter was totally without customers when we arrived so we were quick to get served. Served, meaning, being told that because it was Easter Monday, we’d have to come back the following day to get the package because the customs officers weren’t clearing cargo on that day. After all that traveling, that was not the answer I was hoping to hear! Fortunately, due to the help of one very special Liat employee, we got our package anyway. This guy (sadly I failed to get his name) went out of his way, going back to the customs people multiple times on our behalf to ask them to please make an exception and clear our package. He was eventually successful and we walked out of there about 45 minutes later with our new trampoline. If anyone ever deserved a tip, it was that guy (and he got one)!

With trampoline in hand, as quickly as we could carrying a big package, we made our way back to One Love, cast off from our ball and motored to a more secluded location to spend the night. I’d like to share where specifically but I’m sworn to secrecy about our new special spot. The video below shows what was waiting there for us just under the water’s surface though. Pretty awesome!

What’s on the agenda for the next couple of days? Hopefully some real R&R. Perhaps we’ll just go hang out on the beach somewhere.