A week aboard Jalapeno is a trip of a lifetime – and my family and I have been fortunate to have sailed on her twice! It is difficult to put into words what a wonderful experience sailing the islands is. To be on the water, smelling the salt air, feeling the sun on your face, and enjoying a breeze is a feeling that can’t be topped. We were able to visit beaches that wouldn’t be accessible without a boat. We were able to enjoy the best meals prepared by welcoming locals that we would have never know about since they are off the beaten path. We were able to learn sailing basics and, if we wanted, help with some of the sailing duties. Both trips Ray and Jennifer were the ultimate hosts. They planned the itinerary around our interests – from snorkeling, to exploring the islands, to relaxing on the beach. Delicious onboard meals were prepared according to our likes and dislikes, all the while being able to try new delicacies only the islands were able to offer. Our comfort and enjoyment were their number one priority! Even though we just returned from our sailing vacation, my family and I are already planning, and very much looking forward to, our next trip onboard Jalapeno with Ray and Jennifer!

My wife, Janet, and I had the good fortune to book a Lesser Antilles sailing adventure with Ray and Jennifer Bryan this past spring. Our sailing trip started at Saint Vincent, headed south a bit and then turned north ending at Guadeloupe. Our interest in the trip was to experience out of the way and interesting islands and waters. We were not disappointed on either hand. The Bryans plotted a course that took us to quiet and beautiful spots. We spent a delightful night in a national park where Ray pointed out that just across the water was Africa. We anchored in Chatham Bay and we had the entire bay and beach to ourselves and were treated to a spectacular candle dinner on the beach prepared by one Shark Bite, a most engaging and thoughtful host. I had requested a night crossing by sail and so we undertook watches and sailed through the night. The Southern Cross rose in the southern sky, truly a beautiful constellation. The dawn was spectacular. We visited French islands which were magical, clean, with great food and an even greater unleashing of rain. We rowed up the Indian River into the jungle. Walt Disney couldn’t have done better. The food was great and we served with great conversation, music, and trivia delivered by Ray and Jenn. The accommodations were very satisfactory. Ray and Jenn were delightful hosts and sailors who sought out little known anchorages and adventures. I am asked what the best part of the trip was and to be honest it was all the best part. So to consider the question from a different tack I considered what was the least best part and there wasn’t one.