A disappointing saga with silver linings

It seems that sometimes in life it doesn’t matter how much homework you do, how many questions you ask and how many answers you get – even on paper, there are people who will lie and cheat, use and abuse you. Well, at least they try!

The proposed trip down south to Grenada is off guys – yes siree; the captain of the second boat was very endearing for the first week when he thought I would become his onboard lover. No imagination on my part there, he was very blatant about it! He would even 'sweetly' walk on the road side of the footpath so I would not be in any danger from cars. Once he realized I was NOT going to ‘play’ with him and only be crew/cook as agreed, (although I made it very clear by phone I was not that sort of crew!) he became cold, distant and didn’t care which side of the footpath I walked. Isn’t that just typical!! Pathetically funny really!

I did however enjoy an eventful two weeks in St Thomas and St John, US Virgin Isles, experiencing the annual “Carnivale” in St Thomas, a very festive few days with fascinating costumes and street dancing. Photos of parade above and on the side, the yellow 'tiger' man looked amazing!

We worked hard provisioning the boat for the next 5 months, me planning all the meals & purchase list. I see it as good experience for another time in the future. Everything was meticulously packed away into labeled lockers for easy reference. I even re decorated his rather basic but lovely boat. The fact that his “promised” hot water never worked and endless mopping up of leaking portholes didn’t bother me, it was his hot and cold attitude that really did. It was impossible to stay with such an unstable person. Being basically blackmailed for romantic liaisons is just not acceptable. I decided to leave in Tortola. So, for now, my dream of sailing through the islands has been waylaid by unethical skippers with their own selfish agendas. Whilst FindaCrew is a very professional site, there are very unprofessional people using it!

There are always silver linings; I met a lovely American lady skipper with whom I am sailing with for a few weeks and returning to where I am now in the BVI before moving on. I have also met up with my family and we are having a fabulous & loving time together! They say everything happens for a reason and life REALLY happens as you plan other things!