After the sailboat trip with the Craig family, we returned to Phoenix, Arizona on January 15, 2020. It was not long before I was on BVI Sothebys International Realty’s website looking at the properties for sale on Great Camanoe Island. The person who I met on the ferry ride to the airport, Rodney Shands, had given me the name of Maritha Keil of Sothebys as the a broker to talk to. There were several listings in Indigo Plantation, but the one that stuck out to Brigid and me was Indigo Point. It was such a spectacular ocean front property.
Being such a patient person, I waited four days before sending Rodney Shands an email on Sunday, January 19th. Here is part of what I wrote:
Dear Judge Shands,
My name is Dan Rye. I met you and your wife this past Wednesday, January 15th, on the Scrub Island ferry and we continued to visit at the Beef Island Airport. My friend, Dan Craig, and I visited with you about BVI real estate. You recommended Indigo Plantation and told us about how much you enjoy your home there. We exchanged cards.
My wife, Brigid, and daughter, Summer, were in BVI for 11 days. We rented a villa above Long Bay for 4 days and then spent 6 days on a catamaran. Sadly, we were out on the water January 8th to the 14th when the winds and seas were unseasonably high. That said, we could appreciate the beauty and allure of the British Virgin Islands.
I was impressed with your endorsement of Indigo Plantation and have looked at the properties available there. I am very interested in two residences, Indigo Point and Red Rock. I believe you had mentioned Indigo Point…
You volunteered to speak with me about buying in Indigo Plantation. I would greatly appreciate this at your convenience. If you would let me know a convenient time, I will give you a call. I would value any insights you could provide on the properties available and how best to proceed.
Rodney, also being the patient type, emailed me right back and offered to talk on the phone that afternoon. I called Rodney and we had a very nice visit. He told me that we needed to come back down and see the properties in person. He also informed me that he and his wife, Ginger, would be back to their BVI home in Indigo Plantation the week of February 23. He suggested that Brigid and I return then. Rodney and I talked a time or two more over the next few days and I also visited with the broker, Maritha Keil. By January 26, I had our flights back to BVI booked. Over the next few weeks, we made an itinerary and made travel arrangements, including renting a boat to get back and forth to Great Camanoe Island from Trellis Bay. One of the homeowners in Indigo Plantation allowed us to stay at their home called Kokomo. That was unbelievably kind and would allow us to get a feel for the community.
Brigid and I flew to Miami to spend a few days. We then flew down to BVI on February 24th. On the morning of Tuesday, February 25th, we met Maritha for breakfast, picked up our rental boat and headed for Great Camanoe. Rodney and Ginger Shands met us at the Indigo Planation marina with big smiles and a welcoming hugs. We then headed out to view multiple properties. Here are photos of a few:
Eventually we went to Indigo Point. Here are some photos from our first time seeing her:
That night, we were tired from touring all day, but both Brigid and I felt that Indigo Point was the perfect Caribbean home for us. The next day, we met with Maritha and made an offer. There were a few other interested parties that had also made offers. We hoped that Rodney, Ginger and Maritha would each put in a good word on our behalf. Being optimistic, we met with potential architects, attorneys, contractors and bankers over the next two days. This was much to the chagrin of Rodney and Ginger because they wanted us to go our with them on their boat each day to see some of the many snorkeling spots and beach bars that we had missed due to the rough weather we endured during our first visit a month earlier. On Friday morning we were meeting Maritha and an architect at Trellis Bay to take them across to visit the site. Maritha met us at the dock with a big smile and told us that our offer was the one chosen by the Seller.
We were so relieved and happy. We decided that we could now relax and go enjoy the islands with Rodney and Ginger. We were also joined by Jill Morris, another resident of Indigo Plantation. We went snorkeling and then had lunch at Oil Nut Bay on Virgin Gorda.
Camanoe Cadillac.
We departed for Phoenix the next day. Crossing over from Great Camanoe Island back to Trellis Bay to head to the airport, we cruised by Indigo Point to take a parting photo from the water.
Next post I plan to get caught up on all the construction progress that has been made
can’t wait to see the new build and all the new happenings! hope you are well and love you. Megan
Keep the news coming, I enjoy it.
Stated correctly and Ginger and I are SO happy y’all selected Indigo Plantation
( as well as other residents).
Y’all are the perfect neighbors!!
Just read your blog and love hearing how this story unfolds. I don’t believe in just co-incidence. There are no accidents. It was meant to be. What a remarkable journey. Thanks for sharing. I look forward the the next blog! Take good care.
I have enjoyed every word since you started this blog! I love the pictures and your story telling as well! You are definitely living your best life, Dan! Thank you so much for including us. Hugs!
Lisa and Phil
Yay! Glad you got the blog all worked out and you continue to post. So glad you are allowing us to come along on your journey of building a dream.
Gale and Del
Hi Dan! I’ve been wondering how your exciting endeavor is coming along! Glad you could be with Glenn for his birthday! How amazing and wonderful is it that ours parents are still with us so we may celebrate them!♥️♥️
Hi Helen, Yes we are truly blessed