Shades of Gray: Island Hopping

Hands down our favorite day in the Virgin Islands was the day that Brandon's parents chartered a private boat (with a captain) to take us island hopping. This wasn't just any old boat either. It had a downstairs with a bathroom, bedroom, and kitchenette. This picture doesn't really do it any justice but it's really the only one I have of the boat itself.

Our captain, Francois, took us to several destinations throughout the day.

1st Stop: Pointing out mansions that we'll never be able to afford:

The "house" behind us rents for $5k a night and was the one the RHNY rented for their vacation! Remember?

2nd Stop: Snorkeling at Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands. *Fun Fact: the book Treasure Island was inspired by the caves at Norman Island*

Gorgeous right?

We saw an octopus, sting ray and SHARKS!! Yes, one shark swam right beneath Brandon's mom, Penny! Later we saw a mama shark lying on the bottom of the ocean floor with her baby shark. It was kinda cute but to be honest I kept waiting for her to bolt up and get me.

3rd Stop: Lunch at Willie T's (an old abandoned pirate ship turned restaurant and bar).

Now let me just tell those of you that don't already know. Brandon's mom knows how to have a good time, I mean she can party with the best of 'em and makes me feel like an old lady! Within 30 minutes of stepping onto the ship she had downed two rum drinks and was jumping off the back of the ship with some other naked party animals (although she herself was not naked).

Brandon's turn

Lunch with our captain, Francois

Francois recommended that we get an order of Conch (pronounced Conk) Fritters which were honestly to die for. I wish I had taken a picture, but it was breaded with spices and actually contains some pieces of conch. Unfortunately for me, I googled recipes later and found out conch is a sea snail and wanted to throw up. I'd still recommend them to anyone though!

Our last (and maybe best) stop: The Soggy Dollar! This is a bar on the island of Jost Van Dyke, BVI. It got its name because you have to swim ashore from your boat. Once inside the bar, you can hang your money on a line to dry. The ocean was once again amazing and we ordered a round of 'Nilla Killas which is a different version of the Pain Killer drink we'd been having everywhere we went. The only difference is that the rum in the Nilla Killa is Vanilla flavored instead of dark rum. Basically this drink from heaven consists of:

Cream of Coconut
Orange Juice
Pineapple Juice
Vanilla Rum
and then it's topped with grated nutmeg.

Stan & Penny outside of the Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke Island

We enjoyed our drinks in the ocean and then reluctantly climbed back in the boat about an hour later.

Once we pulled into the dock, we spotted a local fisherman who sold us fresh mahi mahi straight from the ocean. I'm not a huge fish eater, but we BBQ'ed it later that night and it was delicious!