Comments on: St. John Virgin Islands Memories: Voyage to Anegada

By: Gallows Point St. John US Virgin Islands | St. John Life

Gallows Point St. John US Virgin Islands | St. John Life — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:50:16 +0000

[...] friend, Eddie Johnson” (See St JohnVirgin Islands Memories: Voyage to Anegada) was once a bartender there as was Charlie Deyalsingh (Trinidad [...]

By: david nc

david nc — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:26:08 +0000

In the early 80′s Ashley Boynes (who ran Inter Island Boats) had a group called the Islander Club. This was a group of local’s that one Saturday of each month traveled by boat to another island. I printed some t’shirts for the group and part of the deal was that I go on some of the outings. I have great memories of those trips, Virgin Gorda, Salt Island and Anegada even Carnival in Tortola.
The trip to Anegada was on the Carib Time, a relatively new boat at the time. We had drinks on board and a dj. The rum was flowing and the music pumping. Papa Penn, the patriarch of the Penn family was always on these trips. I think he was in his 70′s and danced the whole trying to keep a beer bottle on his head (which he was famous for). When we got to Anegada Rudolph “Pimpy” Thomas went to the bow of the boat and directed everyone from one side of the boat to the other so we could get through the reef. I can remember seeing one lone palm tree before I could see the island. Once we got on the dock there, we found out that no one had contacted anyone there that we were coming. There was only on van that had enough gas to take anyone around. So most of us just walked. The people living there were incredible nice. When we got to the settlement of houses, We just went from house to house to find out what they were cooking….and for a small price could join them. The best lobster and shellfish I ever had. The company was great also. Back at the dock there was a small bar… don’t remember the name…but there was that one lone palm tree. Ashley and Pimpy were buying rounds of drinks, then we all joined in! I was nervous looking out at the reef wondering how we would ever get out to open water….but we made it. The trip back to Red Hook and St. John is still kind of a blur. I’ll never forget Anegada and those friendly people who live there, also the friends I made in the Islander Club. Thanks for bringing back so good memories of Anegada!

By: Capt RD

Capt RD — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:44:02 +0000

In the late 70′s we had a huge Halloween Party at my restaurant in Frenchtown STT – Captain Eddie attended in a Superman costume complete with cape and blue tights – On my way to work the next morning I saw him walking down the waterfront still in costume – – and when I got to the restaurant our maintenance man – an older West Indian said ” Man dat quite a party you have here last night – when I unlock the door this morning there was Superman asleep on the couch!”
We used to waterski from Morning Star over to Honeymoon on Water Island – right through the main harbor – behind his boat. Thanks for stirring up some memories of old friends.

By: gerald

gerald — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:35:55 +0000

I lost touch with Eddie, but met his son years later.
G

By: David Barnas

David Barnas — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:11:02 +0000

Great story Gerald! Did you stay friends with Eddie? I bet you guys talked about that story for years after that

By: Sally Marsh

Sally Marsh — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:54:33 +0000

After that harrowing journey, small wonder that the island of St. John was so quickly woven into your heart — as soon as you met her!