This day began early. To join the trip to Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, we had to be at the Westin Resorts dock at 7:30 a.m. Once there we turned in our passports and immigration papers and boarded a fast boat called "Blast". At 8 a.m. we were on our way for the two-hour trip up the Drake Passage, passing Tortola on the way.The excitement of the morning was an unexpected whale sighting. Apparently these large creatures come south in the winter to calve. The one we saw surfaced several times for our enjoyment before we sped away.
We docked at the Virgin Gorda Yacht Basin and transferred to a jitney that took us to the famous Baths -- so named because this incredible collection of boulders is a formation known as a batholith. The huge rocks have risen (and continue to rise at a miniscule rate each year) along the shoreline where the action of the waves has continued the erosion, forming caves.
The way through the Baths was fairly arduous, at times ducking between rocks, wading though pools of sea water, climbing over big stones. But it was beautiful.
We returned to the Blast for a trip back down the Drake Passage to Cooper Island where we ate a light lunch at a shoreline restaurant. Then the Blast took us to Norman Island where we were able to go snorkeling at the Caves -- three of them -- of buried treasure fame (and fantasy). It was fun to see the colorful assortment of tropical fish and to peek timidly into the largest of the caves.
The rest of the trip home was uneventful. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time. More tomorrow...
