BVI Certified

You don’t need a certificate to dream big!”  israelmore Ayivor SeaSea’s new license I haven’t written about the British Virgin Islands in a long time, even though it is only a moderate swim from the north side of St John, because it didn’t seem right. The BVIs were closed during covid to just about everyone,Continue reading “BVI Certified”

Land Critters

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. George Orwell All sorts of sea creatures grace the pages of this blog. But, unfortunately, I’ve shamefully neglected the beasts that roam the land. Like most other locals that have hosted a human civilization, the Virgin Islands have farm animals. But, in theContinue reading “Land Critters”

I’m Not a Fisherman

 “The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of something that is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope,” John Bucha I’m not a fisherman, but I have fish stories. My uncle Charles took me on my first fishing trip. I was four, armed with a bamboo pole, and hadContinue reading “I’m Not a Fisherman”

Carribean Reef Squid

The only thing we have to fear is a giant wheelchair-crushing squid. Well… uh… actually, I guess that’s the only thing I have to fear. — Franklin D. Roosevelt Curious creatures, these luminous swimmers be. Forward and backward, gliding effortlessly with the smoothest of directional shifts, they keep a giant eye focused on the floating humanContinue reading “Carribean Reef Squid”

Barracuda

The books all say that barracuda rarely eat people, but very few barracuda can read. — Dave Barry These guys get a lot of respect in this world. Think of it: cars, hard drives, security networks, books, and songs all carry their name. They are the bad boys of the sea. Eyes wide open, the new snorkeler or diver willContinue reading “Barracuda”

Saint John Pumpkins

If you’re ever wondering what to wear, just dress like a pumpkin, you’re good to go. Devendra Banhart I’m about to let you in on a bit of a secret. There are pumpkins all over the Caribbean. They hide in plain view, typically on higher ground or a drier microclimate. Botanists who are in onContinue reading “Saint John Pumpkins”

How Wet Can You Get?

Do you know the phrase, ‘The word ‘water’ will not wet you?’ It’s one thing to write down an idea and another thing entirely to execute it. Alejandro gonzalez inarritu Too much screen time lately? YouTube, TV, movies, or don’t say it, video games. All are perhaps redeemable pastimes if they endeavor to spawn ideasContinue reading “How Wet Can You Get?”

Three Gray Lines

Companies and capital operate internationally, often beyond the economic reach of any particular nation-state. People are pretty global , too, living lives that freely cross national borders Chrystia Freeland It is a  strange pastime, but  I’ve been looking at nautical charts lately. They are full of cryptic symbols and squiggly lines, all of which haveContinue reading “Three Gray Lines”