We arrived at Norman Island about lunch time, and had a captain's call before lunch. Lunch was crab cakes and a delicious apple/cranberry salad. After lunch, we piled in the dinghy to go snorkeling at the caves. Three sea caves are "around the point" from the main anchorage at Norman Island. They were fascinating to explore, although a little creepy. You can understand why many believe that the pirates used Norman Island as a base for hiding their booty. We had been told to watch out for bats in the caves. I didn't see any bats in the caves, although we'd see them at night around the ship. Fine with me.
We returned to the ship for about an hour - some people went to the beach and did some hiking, others did a little kayaking or swimming. After resting up a little, we took the dinghy over to the Indians, some rocky outcroppings offshore in the Drake Passage. The snorkeling was excellent in both places, but one guy brushed up against some fire coral. His back and arm immediately blistered, and the dinghy immediately took him back to the ship for a dousing with vinegar. His blisters were much better the next day, and a good reminder to all of us how dangerous the sea can be.
Two rounds of snorkeling were exhausting, so we were glad to see happy hour, featuring mojitos and more cheese/crackers. Jon the chef also cooked some brie in puffed pastry. Dinner was on the ship, and we had a choice of steak or chicken. The appetizer was a crab cake, and we had pound cake with strawberries/whipped cream for dessert. Captain Sandy sat at our table, and we enjoyed hearing his stories of life in the Virgin Islands, where he moved 20+ years ago from his home in Rhode Island. He and his wife also have an inland home in Alabama, where he goes on vacation. He said the farm looked good after spending so much time asea.
After dinner, we watched the tarpons circling the boat for a while before turning in. We heard rumors that some of our fellow passengers took the dinghy to the famous floating bar/restaurant at Norman Island called Willie T.'s, but no one gave us a report the next day. Either it was very quiet, or one of those, "what goes on at Willie T.'s, stays at Willie T.'s nights"!
Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands - photos of the sea caves, harbor, and the Indians at Norman Island
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