Monday, March 25, 2013

St. Thomas International Rolex Regatta

The 40th Annual Rolex Sailing Regatta blew into to town this past weekend!

They have several classes of sail boats with 3 days of racing around the Island of St Thomas and St John. Headquarters for the Regatta is at the St Thomas Yacht Club. Every night they had live entertainment, food and drink.

Friday we headed over to the Yacht Club. They had a large screen going of the recap of that day's races. The bar was great even though they had no diet soda? And there was a BBQ with food for purchase. Out in the water they built a bandstand. They had some really nice chairs out on the beach and was great to take in the video and then listen to the great band Cool Session Brass Band from St John and dance in the sand under the stars! Here is a video.



Saturday we gathered a group together to go out on our boat to watch the regatta up close on the water. We found a spot just off the Wyndham Resort where they had to make a sharp turn. Wind was pretty strong here along with the current and trying to stay in place was a challenge. So off we went to the other side of Pillsbury sound and went in between Little St James to Christmas Cove we were anchored up for the rest of the day!





Saturday proved to be fun, so we ventured out again on Sunday, this time we found a more calm place right off of Thatch Cay. Here is a video of the sailboats making a turn.





The Rolex Regatta was a good time and can't wait for next year! Next event is St Thomas Carnival, end of April.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

St Patrick's Day in the Virgin Islands

Believe it or not, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated here in St Thomas.

Most of the action takes place down in the Red Hook area with all the bars having their own celebrations with drink and food specials.

We ventured down for our first St Patty's day in the warmth.

Although the weather took a turn for the worse with some much needed rain showers (much needed as it has been very dry this Winter) it was still fun.  Most of the action centered around Molly Malone's Irish Bar with live music and a parade that went around the Red Hook center. This certainly was no NYC type of parade by any means. We had one bagpiper!












After visiting we went up to Island Time Pub. Apparently a few minutes before we arrived, the supports gave way to the entire deck sinking three inches! Glen, the owner promptly shut down, much to his dismay as this is one of his biggest nights! Being the kind man he is, he gave us two to-go plates of corned beef since he wasn't going to be able to sell it.  We gave the staff $30 to buy some drinks. 













Back home to the patio to watch the Bristol 500 and celebrate the rest of the day with our little leprechauns!
















St. Patrick's Day in the Virgin Islands is fun as anywhere else, but at least we are warm! We found our pot of gold!








What did you end up doing on your St. Patrick's Day?



Up next, this weekend is the 40th Anniversary of the International Rolex Regatta!  We will be out on our boat watching it from the water!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

What To Do in the Virgin Islands Update

I just thought I would post some pictures of our recent weekends with the new dog and taking some friends over to Jost Van Dyke for some painkillers at Soggy Dollar Bar!