The very first trip down to The Grenadines after I bought the boat, the Suspects were enjoying post-dinner beverages and storytelling at the bar in the Firefly on Mustique, when I met Phil and Nicola Jones.  They operate a fully-crewed 40-foot charter catamaran called the Splendid Adventurer, based out of Bequia.  Anybody who has ventured frequently to this part of the world has certainly crossed paths with this friendly and adventurous couple.  They essentially walked away from life in the fast lane to pursue their dream of living on the water in the Caribbean.  If you ever want to be shown the best time in this part of the world, Phil and Nicola are your ticket.  If you see them on the water, be sure to wave.

Sunny Jim

Over the years, Phil and Nicola have become friends with a musician from Cayman Islands named James White, also known as “Sunny Jim”.  SJ writes and plays songs along the same vein as Jimmy Buffett, although he is more strictly focused on the Caribbean.  If you are already a Parrothead, then you should definitely listen to this music.  Tropical themes and steel drum permeate each track.  When a Sunny Jim CD is playing, you ARE in the Caribbean.

SJ has just released his latest CD, Tropical Trader.  It is available online at his website, and is a must for anybody who loves the Caribbean.

Several years back, Sunny Jim wrote a song about Phil and Nicola called Captain Phil (Splendid Adventurer) and put it on his CD Sandbar Serenade.  A catchy tune, it is a must-have for anybody who knows Phil and Nicola, or has sailed on their boat.

Crisscrossing Paths

As it turned out, Sunny Jim was aboard Splendid Adventurer in The Grenadines while were down.  We were both anchored in Mustique at the same time, and I half-expected to bump into them at either Basil’s or the Firefly.  Somehow, we were on different schedules and did not.  For the next few days, we heard reports that the Splendid Adventurer had either just left the anchorage we just arrived at, or was planning to be there later.  We crisscrossed paths for several days and never bumped into each other.  Maybe next time.

Sunny Jim was scheduled to play a private function at the Firefly at the same time we were in the Tobago Cays.   Although I really wanted to be there, attendance would have really thrown a wrinkle in our schedule.  Certainly I’ll plan more carefully next time! 

The Song

Here’s the song, dedicated to Captain Phil and the Splendid Adventurer.  It will have meaning to anybody who has had the pleasure of meeting this lovely couple, and shared a laugh or two over a cold beverage.  They are indeed living the dream.

Captain Phil (Splendid Adventurer)
Download the MP3 (4.2 MB)

When I first met Captain Phil
he was writing his name on the sky
Pulling para-sails high above the
crystal waters of an island paradise
He said "I'll teach you to sail my sailboats
if you'll bring your guitar and sing songs".
He was living a dream of a life on the sea
and he was pulling other people along
He had won and lost two fortunes by then
so when the hurricane cleaned him out -
He just laughed as he threw up his hands
and told me "This is what it's all about.."

CHORUS: He said "A happy heart makes a happy boat
just living is a gift you see..
The rest is a splendid adventure
Why don't you come along with me?"
Now I say sail on Splendid Adventurer
May the gentle trade winds find you full abeam
Sail on Splendid Adventurer
Captain Phil, my friend - keep living the dream

We shared a lobster dinner and
a hell of a sunset in the Tobago Keys
Telling tales of our lives, how my wife
and I are raising a family
I said it's sometimes a struggle but it's always a joy
When my little ones call me Dad
He said "Jimmy Boy, I see that it makes you happy
And you know that makes me glad.."

CHORUS

We've shared a lot of laughter through a lot of
years, a lot of water under our keels
Captain Phil and I keep in touch -
closer then brothers still
He'll call me long distance to say he'll take
me sailing, if I promise to bring my guitar
Well, Philly, don't be silly, 'cause you're
in my songs now -
no matter where you are…

CHORUS