Windy in the US Virgins

Tuesday, January 27, 2009.

We're back in Charlotte Amaile in St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. The wind has been piping up in the past few days, blowing a steady 25 knots.
After Hans' Swedish friends left, we spent a lazy week in Culebra just recuperating from our winter vacation... =)
We were lucky to hook up with Chris and Julie on Felicia who introduced us to their friends Jim and Lisa on Runaway and Randy and Shelly on Three Moons. We spent three days with them going snorkeling, diving and catching some nice big lobster. Hans' sister Sofia and her boyfriend Patrik arrive on Sunday in Road Town in the BVIs for a two-week visit, so we will spend the next couple of days making our way in that direction. Sofia, don't forget the godis!



Whisper at anchor in Charlotte Amalie in front of all the cruise ships.


Monday night is movie night in Honeymoon Bay on Water Island in the USVI. It's a cool feeling to sit and watch a movie with the sound of the wind in the palm trees, waves lapping the beach, and the stars in the background. Plus there is a hamburger/beer stand set up, and the whole thing is free.


We spent several days anchored in Manglar Bay on the south side of Culebra with our friends Chris and Julie on S/Y Felicia, Jim and Lisa on M/Y Runaway and Randy and Shelly on S/Y Three Moons. Felicia, Runaway and Three Moons are all luxury charter boats operating out of the BVIs who had come over to Culebra to chill for a while. Thus, we were completely spoiled with warm showers, ice in our drinks, and great food; Hans was even able to go SCUBA diving with Jim who is a certified dive master. Cool!


Brie with homemade blackberry jam.... need we say more.


KitKat's new spot.

Karaoke in the capitol

Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Happy 16th Birthday Roger! (Hans' dad)

Christmas, New Years, Helen's (Kristen's mom) 60th birthday: in VT buried under two feet of snow.

To Boston for a few days to catch up with friends;

Continuing south to Washington DC to see old friends and co-workers. Hans is back on Whisper in Vieques, Kristen is flying back on Thursday. So far no frostbite! Washington is buzzing with inauguration activity: there are lots of American flags, bleachers posters, commemorative Metro cards, etc. Unfortunately we'll miss the occasion.

In Vermont, Kristen's two nephews and the cat playing with Chase's new Thomas train set. Quinten was in charge of keeping the trains on the track, Chase was trying to look the part with his pants on his head, and Rex was supervising.


What fun would we have without karaoke? Suzanne and Mik belt it out...

while Hans and Liberty provide a rousing rendition of Janis Joplin's "take a little piece of my heart" as a duet. You have to hear it to believe it.

Can it be? Karaoke again? Another night..another karaoke tune. This time, Hans, Cesar and Amelia bust out the moves.

The lawn in front of the capitol building set up for the swearing-in ceremony.





Looking down Pennsylvania Ave. towards the Capitol Building which is adorned with massive American flags.

Despite the recession, it appears that some businesses are able to do well with the inaguration fever.

Workers at a hotel just north of the White House hang flags.

Some of you may remember the summer of 2000, leading up to Bush's "election" in Nov. 2000: Kristen stood in front of the White House with a sign reading: "If Bush moves in, I move out (of the country)." She then turned the photo into a postcard and mailed it to friends and family as a sort of personal mail campaign. It only seemed appropriate to welcome President Obama in a more friendly way.

Kristen jumps for joy at the thought of a new president.