Sailboat "Camping" in the Caribbean

On a recent trip to the BVI, a group of five others and I decided to rent a sailboat and island hop for three days. It was an amazing adventure to see parts of the islands that are not accessible from land, and that most people who visit the BVI don't get to experience .
Luckily, two of the six of us, had extensive sailing knowledge, because, as I soon found out, it is hard work to sail a boat! The 27 footer included two small staterooms and a galley that converted into a twin size bed. There was one bathroom that included a tiny shower, with one other freshwater shower located on the back swim step. The vessel did not come equipped with air conditioning but it did come with tons of Caribbean mosquitoes! "Finally" our home for three days, was a little like camping on the water. One night in particular, we fell asleep to a gentle breeze on the top deck, only to scramble like mad when awaken with a midnight thunderstorm, then again two hours later when the anchor started dragging! But don't get me wrong, what we lacked in creature comforts, was more than made up for in scenery!
My favorite part of the trip was on the second day, waking up in a cove anchored off Jost Van Dyke, and slipping into the sapphire blue water just as the sun was coming up over the island. The water was a balmy 82 degrees and flat as a board, and while everyone else lay tucked in their beds, I donned my mask, fins and snorkel and took a quiet, tranquil swim alone. It almost felt as if the warm sea existed solely for the purpose of surrounding me in a peaceful liquid blanket, and I found myself feeling more relaxed than if I had spent a week at the spa. As I headed to shore to take in the sunrise from the beach, I saw a small stingray nestled in the sand who looked content to enjoy his slumber just a little while longer. I have had many zen-like experiences while diving in the ocean, but this definitely ranked at the top!
Our three day trip ended entirely too soon and even though our boat didn't have all the amenities I would have liked, I found myself wanting more! With great friends, great dive sites and great times, this was truly a trip to remember!

The Cove

The following was a letter I wrote to The President of the United States after viewing the movie, The Cove. I strongly urge that you see this movie, it is truly eye-opening! And please go to The Cove's website...there are several easy ways to make your voice heard.


Dear President Obama,


First and foremost, I would like to thank you sincerely for taking the time to read my letter. And I have to say, that never in my life has anything moved me so profoundly, as to incite action on my part, even in this simplest form.

I recently saw the movie “The Cove”. This movie was an eye-opening, lump in my throat, pit in my stomach depiction of the thousands of dolphins that are being slaughtered each year off the coast of Japan.

Not only does this movie portray the horrific decimation of a huge number of dolphins, but it also sheds light on the fact that a large quantity of the dolphin meat is being sold to the Japanese people and unbeknownst to them, it contains toxic levels of mercury. If we allow this to continue, not only will we be responsible for the brutal, inhumane killing of a species of marine mammal, but we will most certainly be responsible for the alarmingly high increase in the number of birth defects in Japanese babies that is sure to follow. This is not just an “animal rights” issue, this is also a “human rights” issue.

Although I know I should be asking you what I can do to help stop these and other atrocities from happening around our world, I instead, am going to ask something of you. Please go see the movie, Mr. President. I am convinced that if you do see this movie, you will be compelled, as I am, to stop the systematic killing of one of the oceans most spectacular creatures by whatever means possible. And let’s face it Mr. President, you have quite a bit more pull than I do!

I would like to end with a few quotes from several people much smarter and wiser than I;

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

“By ethical conduct toward all creatures, we enter into a spiritual relationship with the universe” ~ Albert Schweitzer

“The question is not, can they reason? Nor, can they talk? But can they suffer?” ~ Jeremy Bentham

“If you have men who will exclude any of Gods creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men” ~ Saint Frances of Assisi

“I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being” ~ Abraham Lincoln

Respectfully,


Brennda Corrie

PS….I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that I voted for you!