We love sharing our somewhat strange lifestyle with friends. While it’s clearly a vacation from their normal lives, it’s also a break from the cruising routine for us. We were recently privileged to welcome Phil and Holly, our neighbors from Orient, NY aboard Neko.
Orient comes to L’Orient
We had a lovely tour of St. Barths and a circumnavigation of St. Martin, experiencing both the Dutch and French sides of the island. They were GENIUS to buy travel insurance because the week they first planned to visit we were pinned down in the lagoon due to extreme winds and squalls. They were able to push their trip back a week and we were all blessed with clear sunny skies. These two are the king and queen of chill, which makes them a pleasure to have as guests. It was a joy to catch up with them and the goings on back east.
Next up were Dave and Eileen for a long weekend in the BVI’s. Flexible travelers make the best cruising guests, and these two are masters at last minute bookings. It was fantastic to give them a short respite from the long NYC winter and work grind. We got in some spectacular snorkeling and sailing during their quick visit. After 20+ years of knowing Dave we only just learned about his obsession with coiling lines. A trait that is always welcomed on Neko. With both, it was of course always a party with great meals and good wine.
Along with the joy of land visitors we had reunions with long lost cruising pals.
We met Mike and Robin from s/v Mermaid back on the Pacific side of Mexico, we haven’t seen them since Panama 2014. And of course our comrades Charlotte & James on m/y Pegasus can’t get rid of us 😉 What a treat to all be together again in St Martin.
And we were delighted to run into m/y Tropical Blend & s/v Symbiosis and spend a day exploring the island of Anegada together.
Our latest buddy boat is s/v Nightingale Tune. We’ve been together on and off all season and are so proud of them for adopting not 1 BUT 2 island dogs. Fur friends are always welcome on Neko.
Finally, we were excited to catch up with Torben and Judy from s/v Tivoli. They had just finished a transatlantic sail from the Canaries to the BVI’s and we were there to welcome them to their first landfall in three weeks.
Tivoli arriving in Virgin Gorda looking fresh as daisies after 3 weeks transAtlantic crossing.
If you are a regular reader of our blog, you will see that Torben and Judy were with us for our first significant trip on Neko – sailing her from San Francisco to Los Angeles. They taught us so much in that weeklong trip that we consider them our cruising godparents. It was 4 years since we had last seen them, but the time melted away instantly into perfect camaraderie.
It is wonderful to catch up with friends old and new and to share our salt water life with them, even if it’s just for a short time.
Sailing on Neko 
Ohhhhhh it’s so good to see you two chilling with Dave and Eileen — brings all those bama days 20+ years ago!!! Love love love seeing you your shiny, happy faces!!!
Glad you are having fun! Loved St. Martin many moons ago. Wish I could last minute plan and hop down for a criuse. Enjoy reading your blog!
Godparents…………it does not have the same ring to it as ‘GODFATHER’, but if you need us to break someones knee caps, just let us know.
We got the treat of having another night in the comfortable guest cabin, as opposed to last time on NEKO, this time safely tied to the dock.
Cruising is all about the people you meet along the way!
Great hearing from you Sounds like you are continuing to have a ball. Keep on enjoying.
Love to both
Ahhhhh….my dream of rosé on St Barth’s, FULFILLED – a few times… – wonderful memories that I will cherish for ever with our dear friends. xo xo Holly