Disney World!!!

Sorry I haven't updated the blog, there wasn't free wireless in the hotel in Disney World. Well we spent 4 days going to Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. We were very lucky with the heat, only Thursday was rather hot.

The Hilton in Disney World was very nice, very close to the parks. The first day we went to Magic Kingdom, and we did many of the things to do there, at around 4 pm we went to the Prime Mall where much shopping was done, all very cheap..., then on Tuesday we went to Epcot Center, we did all the games and then walked around the lake where the different countries are, again we went shopping and that night we went back to the park to see the fireworks which was very nice. On Wednesday we went to Hollywood Studios, which is all about the different films they have produced, and many of the games have rollercoasters which the children, Eduardo and Carolyn like going to. Sally Anne definitely hates roller coasters... At around 3 we went to a water park, Blizzard Beach, which was refreshing, but absolutely crowded. There are lots of different slides to rush down, but after around 2 and a half hours we left, back to Hollywood studios to do some of the games we hadn't done, and repeated some of the good ones.

On Thursday we went to Animal Kingdom, which is really nice, with lots of vegetation. 3 or 4 roller coasters, among other things, and also a safari where there are elephants, tigers, giraffes (real ones). At 12.45 on the dot, we all met at the entrance and back to the hotel, had a bite, and then to Universal Studios, which is not in the Disney parks, and there we rode on the most wonderful roller coasters with lots of loops and going up side down. Robin, Monica, Elena and Sally Anne refrain from going on the roller coasters.

The Harry Potter park, which was inaugurated 3 weeks ago is amazing, and amazingly full of people. We rode on 2 rollercoasters, one was inside where you go through the castle, meeting all the different characters, all so creative and different. That day it was hot... We stayed until 10 pm, at least there were less people. Sometimes the queues are really long.

Yesterday we left Disney World at around 11.30, after having gone shopping a bit, and we drove along the coast, going into West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, etc. We had lunch on the way, at one of these places where there are lots of eating places, some chose Kentucky Fried Chicken, others something else, but the amazing thing is that when you buy a coke, you can refill it as many times as you want... Maybe that's why all these people are so fat. We arrived in Miami at around 700pm and at 9 the adults went out with Ricky Basseda to a very good fish restaurant. Most had Lobster Bisque as an appetizer, and then different dishes, all fish. The children stayed at the hotel and we ordered pizza for them. At these hotels you can order what ever you want and it is delivered a while later.

Today we're going to Macy's, (there was no Macy's in DW), and other shops. At 2.30 we have the match, and Ricky is going to find a place to watch it, and then he'll take us to Coconut Grove, and other sightseeing places.

The first photo below is Soper's Hole, where we saw Uruguay-Ghana. It is on the island of Tortola, and most of the scenery is like that, lovely houses hanging from the hills . Another photo is of the taxi that took us to the airport, a typical breakfast with pancakes and fruit, and the one on the catamaran is at The Indians, the best snorkelling place.

Last photos of Tortola

Miami!

Well, we got to Miami safely, after rushing from one connection to another. We left Tortola at 19.00 instead of 18.20, it is a very short trip from T to Puerto Rico, but then we had to run to get the other flight. (The airport in Tortola is quite picturesque as there were 3 or 4 hens with chickens walking around, a cat or two, several cocks and when we were waiting outside to get on the plane, there were some lizards lying on some rocks in a flower bed.) We got on safely and after 2.5 hours we landed in Miami at around 23.30. We shuttled to Hertz and got 2 nice big vans. One for Robin, me and families, the other for Sally Anne. (Andrew had left Tortola earlier). We arrived at La Quinta Hotel at around 1.00, and as we hadn't eaten much, we ordered some delivery pizza which arrived 25 minutes after calling them, rather good. Then bed. The hotel is very nice, w ith comfortable big beds.

Remember that you can click on the photos to see them bigger...

Ganó Uruguay!!! Celebrating at Soper's Hole

The photos you see below are Robin last night cooking the ribs, those rocks are the lovely place where we snorkelled called The Indians, Carolyn Anne and Manuela in the dinghy and the children sitting somewhere...

Back in Tortola

Well, we've finished the sailing part of our holidays. It is Saturday 3rd, we've just seen Germany beat Argentina 4-0, comfortably seated on land, in a bar. It was 10.00 am, and right next to us there was a wedding taking place, of local people (black), with the most outstanding hair dos, satin dresses with long sleeves, all very colourful. The church ceremony had already taken place and all these people (around 150) were seated in a room with no air conditioning, because it had no walls. Here many buildings don 't have walls. There was a buffet in the distance, and nice music.

Well, yesterday morning we went sailing at last de bolina, to a place called The Indians, where we snorkelled, this was the best place. Magnificent. We had arroz con atun and then we motored back to a place called Soper's hole, where we saw Uruguay Ghana. What a match, typical of Uruguay to make everybody suffer until the last second!!! We stayed there and for dinner Robin cooked barbecued chops and Sally Anne made the puree. All very good. Nextg to our boat there was another yacht shining lights into the water and we could see some very very big fish swimming.

All the children use the dinghy very well, coming and going from boat to boat, sometimes waving the Uruguay flag.

At 6.20 pm we are taking the plane to Puerto Rico, and then to Miami to spend the night, and tomorrow in the cars to Orlando.

I'll try to upload some photos.

At Marina Cay

Does paradise exist??? This is it! Yesterday morning we left Bitter End and sailed to a group of islands called The Dogs. We picked up a ball at George Dog and snorkelled for about an hour. Beautiful corals again, and the most amazing coloured fish. The water is crystal clear, and nicely warm. We had lunch there, hamburgers, lettuce, tomatoes, cooked on the parrillita with charcoal. We then kept on to Marina Cay. There was a nice wind, 9 knots, and our speed was around 5 knots. We got to Marina Cay (you pronounce it Key), and swam around and then went on land to the gift shop to look around. I asked where the best place to snorkel was and we went with Robin and Guille. A lovely place, but it was rather late and the sun was not shining on the reef, so we couldn't appreciate it. We might go back before leaving for a place called Monkey Island. Lunch today is pasta salad (Andrew and Elena in charge) and tonight shrimp Jambalaya by Monica. These boats are so comfortable, I am sitting in the kitchen writing this, and it is early as everything starts early here, and we go to bed early too. The kitchen has a microwave, toaster for 4 toasts, licuadora, gas stove and oven.

I uploaded around 20 photos, when you scroll to the last photo, there are more, just click on "older posts".

Now it is 6.45, tonight we are dining at the pub at Bitter's End. As you can see we are having a wonderful time. When we snorkelled this morning, the water was at an ideal temperature.

From Cooper Island to Bitter End (Virgin Gorda)

Today the day was perfect! Last night we had some delicious pork ribs excellently barbecued by Robin with potatoes with cream cheese. We ate on the Peeps Larou (Robin's and Andrew's boat) while the full moon was rising. After a good night we left Cooper Island early (here the sun rises at 6.30 or earlier. We started with the engine, and after a few minutes, we put up the sails, and we really sailed!!! It was incredible, much better than with the engine!!! AFter around an hour we got to The Baths, with the most incredible boulder formations. We got a ball (a buoy) easily, and then with our masks and snorkels we swam around and saw all the lovely fish and corals, really amazing to see the coloured fish, blue and yellow, stripped with black, yellow ones, barracudas, pink and yellow, red, all swimming next to us. Also schools of little fish, thousands of them swimming and making interesting shapes. I just bought a book called corals and fishes, to identify them. This morning we also saw 2 dolphins when we were leaving Cooper Island. The corals are amazing. Some look like brains, others like fans (they are called coral sea fans, according to my book). There are some that look like the horns of an elk (called Elkhorn coral)

TORTOLA AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, here we are! This is great, like paradise. The catamarans are huuuuuuuuuuge, everything so comfortable!That was Carolyn... Our parents are going to do a tour and check the inventory....

Our boats are called Peeps Larou and Happy Our!!

Do you want to call us? 0059896665258, which is Robin's cell phone, or +12844942332, which is The Moorings.

Marina and Guille at Sasha's 18th birthday

Sally Anne and Eduardo's silver anniversary: Manuela, Belén, Eduardo, Sally Anne, Marina, Santiago

Sasha's 18th birthday!!! only 2 days for BVI

Today we celebrated Sasha's 18th birthday but her birthday is really tomorrow. There were some delicious sandwiches, a scrumptious tuna dip, and a tasty salmon dip. Then masitas and 2 cakes. Hope you like the photos! Next photos will be already on the trip. The good news today also was that Uruguay beat Mexico 1-0 and has classified for the next round. We'll be watching the match (Uruguay-Korea) on Saturday at Cooper's Island at 10.00, local time.

Just a week to go!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are at Sally Anne's house now, having tea. Just practising. Here is Belen with another Coco. Nothing to do with Tortola...

Cooking made easy

This is where we'll prepare all the different menus, looks great!

This is what our catamarans will look like!!!

Road Town

Road Town is the capital city of Tortola, and we'll be spending our first night on board the catamarans on the 25th June, Carolyn Anne's birthday!

Well, here is a map of the British Virgin Islands, the first place we go to after Road Town is to Cooper Island, of course!

This is something similar to what we are chartering!

Two 46 foot catamarans, for up to 10 people each. This is Robin in 2008, planning a future trip, which is now taking place in less than a month.

Photo taken at Soper's Hole, West End, Tortola, BVI.

Today is Sunday 30th May 2010, we are preparing the menus for our trip to BVI