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Chartering the catamaran "Feeling Blue?" 
You're probably wondering what it would be like to spend a week on a typical yacht charter. The following account is from excepts from e-mails sent by Sonja Patcher, the chef/first mate of Feeling Blue?, a luxurious 48 foot catamaran, during the course of two different charters. We have combined these two weeks into one and have edited only as needed for content and continuity. We think that these e-mails convey the enthusiasm and and outstanding character that many of these charter yacht crews possess. Sonja is Austrian, and speaks English fluently, as does Gerhard.
Monday Morning Hi Sandy, It's 8:45 AM in the Caribbean and we are already finished with the Breakfast, all the dishes are done and so I found some time to send you some sentences. Stephen called me yesterday, that the children are delayed on their flight and they waited until they arrived. And this was 3:30, so they arrived at 4:45 PM at the American Yacht Harbor. They are very, very nice!!!!!!!! We went on Feeling Blue? and they were completely surprised how great our catamaran looks - they loved it. I showed them the NSAS bear and they were saying "hello" to him. We went to St John - Hawksnest Bay over night. Had some hors d'oeuvres during the trip and dinner after dropping the anchor. (Fishsoup with jumbo shrimps, Porktenderloin in a redwine sauce with green peppercorns, Spaetzle and Babycarrots. They were too full for Desserts. 
We had a wonderful evening and talk a lot and had fun. Gerhard did his Skat Man Show which everyone loves and then we all danced the Macarena. They are so happy with your job, Sandy, and what you have done for them. They told us that you were providing them with all the information what they needed. And they really knew us already before arriving, because you described us so well. The were very impressed from Don when they have called him 2 years ago. In a few minutes we will seat together and plan our charter trip with them What they want to see again and show to their children and so on. Then a jump in the water….and then we will sail to the next snorkelspot. We have good luck with the weather!!!! Okay, Sandy, say hallo to everybody and I will send you the next e-mail as soon as I will have time. We are taking very good care of your clients. Love, Sonja & Gerhard & Picasso
Tuesday Morning Hi Sandy, Our new friends wanted to stay another day in St Johns and so we sailed around the island to the Hurricane Hole, which is completely protected and everybody loves this spot. It is really unique and you are alone. After lunch ( Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Tuna) we were snorkeling and playing around. Then we had our cocktail hour with guitarmusic and Gerhard made his famous Banana Cow drinks and played his guitar and everybody was singing. After this we went with the dinghy to the "Skinny Legs Bar" - a very great bar in Coral Bay - only Artists are there and people from the islands and yachties. We had so much fun…  In the darkness we went back and had dinner on the boat (Caribbean Pumpkinsoup, Chickenbreast in Orangesauce, and a Strawberry Dessert and Coffee). Oh, I forgot to tell you, that everyone loves to fish! We are fishing all the time… My Shrimp basket is getting smaller and smaller and the fish here in the Bay are getting fatter and fatter… Love, Sonja and Gerhard
Thursday Morning Hi Sandy, Here I am again! We had wonderful days until now. On Tuesday we sailed to Sandy Spit for lunch (Tortellini in Gorgonzola wine sauce) where everyone enjoyed snorkeling and taking great pictures. Then we sailed to Canegarden Bay and went ashore to visit the beach bars and meet the people. Then we went back to the yacht and had an Italian Evening with Lasagna and Tiramisu. After Dinner we put out the guitar and harmonica. Steven is a great guitarplayer, Gerhard played the harmonica and the rest sang. It was very romantic!!! 
On Wednesday we sailed outside a little bit (Steven was sailing) and then back to Guana Island Monkey Point for snorkeling and Lunch (Shrimpsalad). From there we went to Virgin Gorda to the Savannah Bay over night. There were no other boats and Gerhard waterskiied with the kids and pulled them in the tube. They had so much fun!!! We went ashore and everyone looked for shells on the beach. Then we had Happy Hour and after this we had for Dinner Shrimp Cocktail, Salmon in a White Wine Sauce and Austrian Potato Crepes. Then we played cards while the children watched a movie. Today we sailed to Gorda Sound and we are anchored at Mosquito Island and everybody was snorkeling with Gerhard and Picasso!!! Until now they have seen such a lot of fish and also stingrays and big Tarpons. Now Gerhard is tube riding with the girls like crazy!!!!
I hear them coming back,….. We wish all of you a great weekend Love Sonja & Gerhard & Picasso
Saturday Morning Hi Don and Sandy, It's 8:45 AM in the Caribbean and we are already finished with the Breakfast, all the dishes are done and so I found some time to send you some sentences. We are having a marvelous time with our Texas family and especially with the 2 girls. They are like angels. Really very, very nice!! We are having a lot of fun and enjoy the Charter a lot. 
Yesterday we sailed to the Baths and "Jurassic Park" where everyone enjoyed the incredible beach, climbing the rocks and hiking to the top of the Baths to see the view and eat lunch in the restaurant. Then we sailed on to Norman Island and the Caves where the fish are extremely friendly and hundreds will swim around you. We spent the evening in the Bight and after dinner (Carpaccia of Beef Tenderloin, Fondue with Chickenbreast, Pork and Beef Tenderloin in homemade sauces, Austrian Apple Strudel) Gerhard took the grownups by dinghy over to the William Thornton sailing ship which is now a bar where you meet other people from charters and have lots of fun. I stayed on board the catamaran and played games with the girls. Take care, Sonja and Gerhard
Sunday Afternoon Hi again Sandy 
Yesterday we had breakfast early and sailed to The Indians to snorkel. We saw a big turtle and many kinds of fish. Then we picked up the anchor and sailed to St John for clearing customs and then everyone went for shopping to the "Mongoose Junction" where they found many beautiful things to take home with them. And then we sailed around to Caneel Bay for the evening and visited the famous hotel for a look around the property and a drink at the bar. 
The last evening we had our Captains Dinner night. For this evening the table is decorated very special, Vienna Waltz is playing in the background, and we have "Wiener Schnitzel" a famous Austrian Special followed by Vienna Sachertorte (Chocolate Cake). And Gerhard is dressed up in his Captain's uniform. It was a very nice and romantic evening, with live music again. Today we sailed back to Red Hook after breakfast. Our guests just left for the airport and now we are alone. It is soooooooo sad that they have to leave! We had a wonderful time together. Thank you so much, for sending such wonderful, nice, fun people to us. Love, Sonja and Gerhard
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They love it…. The Greeksalad is waiting for them and then we are playing Backgammon again. The are sooooo happy and have so much fun. Later the children will have fun in the dinghy again and everybody likes the kayak. They use it all of the time.
