GUESTS COMMENTS Guests November 2008 - Where do you go to complain about not being able to complain about anything!!! I have been a boater for forty years. Cruising on board the NSS Pattam gave boating/cruising a whole new meaning. From the minute we landed in St Thomas, we knew we were in the good hands of our hosts, Pat and Mat Bockh. The ride they arranged was awaiting us at the airport to take us to the Pattam which was neat as a pin and clean as a freshly bathed baby. Awaiting us in our stateroom was goody bag with monogrammed tee shirts, hats, a chart of the islands, and a waterproof camera. Nice touch…just one of many. On the al fresco deck was the first of many gourmet meals. I could go on forever with the gourmet meals which included among others, sesame tuna, sushi appetizers, rack of lamb, shrimp & lobster, grouper and my personal requested favorite, beef wellington. Each meal Pat cooked was served with flowered garnish, baked on board breads and flavored butters, salad and homemade desserts (key lime pie, chocolate soufflé with homemade ice cream chocolate ganache…you get the idea). Mat made sure we ate like royalty on matching tablecloths, linen napkins, different dishes every day and crystal glasses. No paper or plastic for the Pattam! Mornings greeted us with fresh baked muffins and pastries and eggs. My favorite light breakfast was a yogurt with fresh fruit and granola but the egg soufflé took the breakfast of the cruise award. I can’t remember ever having that many back to back gourmet meals in a row. And it was all part of the cruise! We were three couples with three staterooms, each of us with a king or queen sized bed. The generator ran 24/7 but we never heard it, and our stateroom was next to the engine room! This particular feature was costly in that I now have to order a silencer for the generator on my boat. We had plenty of water, hot water and a large shower to enjoy at the end of the day. Towels were first class with the NSS Pattam monogram. Our hosts thought of everything and provided us with new toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and soap, all in recognition of the fact that we couldn’t fly with liquids. During the day, we were given the run of the boat and the cove. Although Mat offered to pull us in a tube or waterskis on the inflatable, we all opted for the more docile kayaks, motorized floaty chair, rafts, inflatable toys, and a mask and snorkel. Bottled waters, sodas, beer were available all over the boat and at any time during the day. Our hosts were always available to make sure we had everything we needed, to offer suggestions on what to do and where to go or just offer us a drink. They were first class. One of my friends remarked that they knew how to entertain because they kept filling up the M&M container to make us not feel like we were not slowly emptying the jar…which we were! One night I let Pat kick my butt in scrabble while the girls watched a chick flick from the book of movies and dvds they store on board. Both Pat and Mat made operating the boat seem easy. They were a team who not only owned and cared for their own boat, but cared equally as much for the enjoyment of their guests. This was my 50th birthday present to myself. My wife, my friends, and I, had a cruising experience with Mat and Pat which could not be paralleled if we were on Paul Allen’s 415 footer! Each your heart out Mr. Allen!!! – Thank you so much for booking us aboard the NSS Pattam. Mat and Pat are knowledgeable bright and personable and most of all, concerned for the welfare of their guests. If I am gushing, I am. They deserve it!!! This was the cruise and experience of a lifetime. Thanks again for your help. We are picking a date for next year and will be in touch! Best regards, Kenneth Guests March and July 2008 Mat and Pat were very gracious, the food was wonderful and the boat was in excellent condition. We are planning on going again and for a longer stay. It could not have been nicer. Brian Guest Family 2008 Dear Pat and Mat: At this hour (5:50PM) on our first day back to reality, as I sit here bogged down in my office (missing our obligatory cocktail hour (or two), I might add), digging out from 8 days worth of unopened emails, bills, problems and snail mails....thought I'd drop you this line... On behalf of Gina, Jesse, Gianna and myself...we just wanted to say, for the 100th time, "thank you" for allowing us the pleasure, and the privilege, of being your "guests" aboard PATTAM for the last eight days. I put "guests" in quotations simply because that's what we were, technically....but we sure did feel like family. You both have an instantaneous way about you of making us feel so very much at home from the second we touched your teak. It was like we were traveling with good friends we haven't seen in awhile...catching up on each others' lives! While Mat and I were "exchanging opinions" on the ways of the world, Gina would be writing down (read: stealing) your recipes and you would be playing "Yahtzee" with the kids! And you also give us our privacy whenever we needed it, without us having to say a word. Now...how much more like feeling at home can that get? Vacationing as much as we do (6-8 weeks a year), our family feels blessed to be able to "compare notes" on where we go, what we do, our favorites, and so forth. From our 10 and 12 year old kids to both Gina and I, it was a unanimous vote that we simply loved our vacation with you and our time aboard your clean, comfortable, spacious, and 100% AIR CONDITIONED vessel! She's stable, large enough for our family and more, and provided us with lasting family memories. Plus...I haven't slept that good in a long, long time! GREAT Master Bed! Your food was insanely delicious. Your cuts of meats and seafood were restaurant quality, your presentations were outstanding, and your portions were overly plentiful! Thanks for hiding your scale....I put on 11 pounds in 8 days...yikes! We're all on "South Beach Diets" effective today! The kids loved Captain Mat letting them "drive" the dingy and providing them with what seemed like endless hours of fun being pulled along on all the various water toys. Nothing we asked from you was too much trouble, no request was untouchable, and all was delivered genuinely, honestly and from your hearts... We thoroughly enjoyed meeting you, we definitely look forward to a return visit on PATTAM when our schedules allow, and can't possibly think of a better way to travel through the US and British Virgins Islands! And THIS is coming from a family that owns property on St. John! Truly, you've spoiled us. All our very best wishes and heartfelt thanks for sharing your part of the world with us. Jesse, Gina, Jesse & Gianna It was such a memorable adventure..... Our whole family had the time of our lives cruising around the St. John and St. Thomas area on the NSS PATTAM. It was such a memorable adventure to check out a new island almost everyday and explore a new town or a tucked away, secluded beach. The kids had so much fun snorkeling with the beautiful fish and swimming in the crystal clear waters. The meals that were served on board were absolutely delicious; I can still smell the grilled Caribbean lobster tails and filet mignons. We are eagerly counting the days until our next vacation aboard the NSS PATTAM. Stephanie Great Wedding Charter February 2008 Thank you. We had the most amazing time on our trip. Pat and Matt are the best hosts. The food was like you would find at the best restaurants and at every meal. We gained 5 pounds each! We would definitely do another charter but only with Pat and Matt! anyone you recommend them to will not be disappointed at all! Kim Fun Charter Guests James, I will send pictures but the boat and crew now best friends for life are Pat and Mat thus PATTAM! You and your family will have a ball! Sleeps very comfortably 7 and the food they serve is the best you will find anywhere! You will love dealing with her and they love to have fun with you or just disappear into thin air! You will not find a better package with her cooking anywhere in the world. I mean it and I have traveled a bit in my life, this was one hell of a top notch setup!!!!!!!! Give me a call in am so we can catch up! Jack All Fun Adults January 2008 Pat is the best gourmet chef! Eileen Crew-Food-Hospitality-Boat-Spectacular. Nancy Such wonderful hosts – they anticipated and met our every need. Great food!! Kathy Great Fun Families April 2008 Dear Pat & Matt, I hope you guys are doing O.K. We have been kind of busy here since since we came back from the trip. I have had people staying over and Jorge has been working non-stop. Nicolle gets out of school May 30th and her friend from Colombia is coming over to stay with us before she leaves for Paris in July. I know I promised to send you recipes, so I will as soon as I can. We miss you both, keep in touch and take care. Tania, Jorge & Nicolle Family Fun Charter See card, please. More Family Fun Again we had a great time and miss you two. Thursday we head out of west end and bid the BVI farwell. Thanks for the great hospitality and friendship-we are looking forward to our next Pattam voyage. Best to you both, Bill