Governor’s General Cup

Caribbean Air Rally 2016

We owe this  wonderful Caribbean adventure to our dear hosts and partners

 

Sunday April 10  KFXE Ft Lauderdale : 34 planes and 80 pasionate people from different countries from Switzerland, Slovakia, USA, Canada, Chile, met at SANO JET CENTER FBO to prepare for the journey ahead. Divided into squadrons each with a team leader, YELLOW TANKER squadron RED BARON squadron and the GREY WOLF squadron ! ready to go ! All for one, one for All !

The Caribbean Air Rally is a yearly event that celebrates aviation and friendship ! Every year,  fun,  passionate and  like-minded people get together to share a unique and binding experience. Flying to the Caribbean, for most, is a new Adventure.  A little worried at first, participants soon realise that flying the Caribbean skies is stress free! The Itinerary is planned   taking into consideration slowest aircraft.. Alternate “overland route” are always suggested but not mandatory.

Wrapped in blue,!!! they proceed from one destination to another enjoying fantastic scenery  and are  welcomed with open arms by excited youngsters invited to visit the planes and learn about aviation.

Welcome to Grand Turk ! Kids and pilots having a great time. The stress of previous day created about Flight planning APIS filling, border crossing is GONE ! BLUE SKIES AND BEAUTIFUL SMILES ! after exchanging with the kids at the airport, pilots and crews were checked in a the beautiful Osprey Beach and Bohio hotels.

Just time for a quick refresh ! and off we go to the Waterloo Residence to attend the cocktail party at Governor Beckingham’s home.

it was a very pleasant ride on the open bus enjoying a tour of this beautiful and so peaceful small island.

Governor Beckingham and his lovely wife Jill rang the bell and declared the 8th edition of the Governor General’s Cup started. Brian Pound, Governors Cup embassador gave the opening speech !

Off we go to the Bohio celebration party hosted by the Minsitry of Tourism. We all enjoyed a wonderful night and meal in company of  the handsome Premier of Turks and Caicos the Hon. Dr. Rufus Washington Ewing and the lovely Minister of Tourism the Hon. Porsha Stubbs-Smith accompanied of other dignitaries. What a way to start the Rally !

Day 2 – Tuesday April 12, we woke up to a perfect sunny day to enjoy the island. Golf carts, bycicles, beach bar, diving, hose riding, what a busy day ! the island was ours to enjoy and so we did.

Day 3 – Wednesday April 13, another experience ahead ! St’Croix USVI

Antother beautiful Flying day !

First time In St-Croix!  Bohlke International Airways, US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and the Virgin Island Port Authority, welcome the participants to   “The American Paradise”.

An island to ourselves.  Our home in St’Croix

:  The hotel on the Cay , located on   Protestant Cay, a small island overlooking Christiansted Harbor and only a 2minutes ferry ride (free)  to Boardwalk restaurants and bars.

Tourism USVI welcomed the participants  with a great party:Mocko Jumbies Fire dancers……. We had a great time !

Deputy Governor, Gregory R. Francis welcomed the participants of the Governors Cup Air Rally. Here with Brian Pound Governors Cup Embassador and Fiona St-Croix Air Rally coordinator.

Day 4 – Thursday  April 14: West is Best  !  discover Frederickstead and the western part of the Island

Time to return to the hotel on the Cay with our water taxi, just in time for the Cruzan Rum cocktail mixology.

Sponsored by CruzanRum,  Mixology contest, become a cocktail expert !

Day 5- Friday April 15

One more day to enjoy the island the broadwalk and the shops.

the day ended at Shupes with a farewell cocktail

Day 6- Saturday April 16 – Martinique here we come!

Another beautiful flight. Maria and Ashley flew over the island of Saba on the way and took this beautiful photo of this island shaped lile a volcano. A certification is needed to land on the island world shortest comercial runway.

Martinique is the eight most populous Caribbean country with 383,000 people. a territory of France, Martinique’s population is primarily of African lineage. French is spoken as the official language. Martinique has European flair and Caribbean beauty with an abundance of flora that is why Martinique is called the island of Flowers.

Filled with ruins and monuments, gorgeous beaches, great food. Farming, cane raising, and rum distelleries.

It always starts with a welcome punch at the lovely hotel La Pagerie located in the center of the tourist activitiy, little boutiques, restaurants, cafes and marina: Les Trois Ilets.

The celebration starts: Cultural and traditional dance show followed by a Rum cocktail mixology contest !!! followed by a lobster dinner courtesy of our hosts the Comité Martiniquais du Tourisme.

Day 7- Sunday April 17 – Enjoy Martnique’s best

Only a 5 minute walk to the Marina,  we are onboard two chartered catamaran to spend the day sailing with the dolphins,  swimming, snorkelling and beautiful tropical natural and raw nature.

Day 8- Monday April 18  – Enjoy Martnique’s best

A relaxing day, great for shopping, visiting Fort de France and hanging around the little cafes enjoying French delicacies.

Day 9- Tuesday April 19  – Destination Antigua

Getting ready to FLY !

Flying over Martinique heading north

Welcome to the beautiful Sugar Ridge Resort for two fabulous and relaxing days !

Day 11- Thursday  April 21  – Destination Tortola BVI

Lining up to take off ! Antigua departure was not an easy one: the controller was alone to handle our planes in addition to commercial traffic

Finally, Beautiful Island and airport on sight