We quickly found our rental jeep with the steering wheel on the right side <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" /> in the Airport Car Park and were happily on our way to Cane Garden Bay. Along the way we find ourselves driving behind an Ice Delivery Truck creeping its way up Joes Hill Road and blowing large black clouds of smoke at us. With a broken speedometer and the pedal to the metal (low gear didn't help), the darn jeep couldn’t have been going much more than 5MPH. Up since 3AM, we are tired, hot and sticky - but very, very HAPPY.
Tortola you look so lush and green! Pinch me...are we really here <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Love.gif" alt="" /> or is this just my imagination? Smiling and waving hello to the folks we pass; they smile and wave back. Oh what a feeling! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> We have waited all year to return, but somehow it feels like we never left. Hoped to make it to the TTOL Party at Manpot’s but its already after 2 and we are feeling grungy and exhausted. Let's see if we can unpack in record time, jump into our bathing suits and go for a swim. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> Aaaaah, now that feels great! However we could do without the racing speedboats, dingys and jet-skis.
Jesse Jackson is on island for Emancipation Festival and will be speaking at several locations. Ada keeps telling me that she see's him; but he doesn’t look anything like what I can recall on television.
Bobby's on CGB is very convenient though we will continue to make most of our CGB purchases at the "Family Owned" General Store across from the cemetary. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
Smugglers Cove ... crowded ... noisy ... dogs running all over the place kicking up sand and yes it is true “doing their business” on the beach by the water <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" /> The coral reef is in shambles and for some bizarre reason some folks go out of their way to step on it. Heck, what difference does it make anyway - its “DEAD.” A variety of fish seem to still be attracted to the piles of broken coral, so it still offers a fair snorkeling experience. My emotions always get the best of me when I recall how beautiful and dramatic this particular reef was the first time I saw it 10 years ago. Disbelief <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> overwhelms everytime I see the graveyard it has become. Enough of that ... its history and charm demands respect and it is still our favorite beach by far.
After a hard days work at the beach, its off to Bomba Shack again and again to hang out for a few cold one's and enjoy the tranquil and picturesque sunset over Jost. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />
Left the apartment at 8:30AM for the 10AM Parade. Walked around Roadtown where there was still a lot of dancing and partying going on from the early morning Tramp. Headed over to Village Cay for their Breakfast <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Oink.gif" alt="" /> Buffet. All you can eat toast, english muffins, fresh fruits, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes and coffee. Found out that the parade wouldn't start until 1PM which was a perfect opportunity to visit the ladies at Crafts Alive and do some shopping! The Parade started around 1PM. It was colorful, musical, exhilarating and long ... that would be "5" hours long. We drank a lot of liquids, occasionally sought shade, strolled to the waterfront to cool off in the breeze and ate some delicious homemade foods. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Oink.gif" alt="" /> Very impressed by the garbage truck and the clean-up crew at the end of the parade immediately removing the trash.
Bought a few nice T-Shirts at Aragorn Studios and walked around Trellis Bay for an hour or so; the Fireballs are back. Stopped at Pusser’s Roadtown for a nice big bowl of Conch Chowder, Pizza and a refreshing jumbo glass of cold Iced Tea.
Birthday Bash for Char <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/band.gif" alt="" /> at Bomba’s complete with live music and birthday cake. Ran into an old friend who has since moved to St. John. Ada tripped and fell. We drove back to the apartment to clean out the tiny granules of bloody sand from her knee and packed it with ice to help stop the swelling. Good-nite Irene!
Hot, Hot, Hot! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Umbrella.gif" alt="" /> The weather has been just “beachy.” Its time for the Carrot Bay Fishing Tournament Weigh-In so we head over to check it out just as the boats are starting to come in. An older gentlemen displays his elaborate handmade fishing basket. Behind him are replicas of huts as they were built in 1940's out of sticks and palm branches - very cool! Then the girls cook us up an absolutely awesome and very filling steamed fish dish complete with plantains, sweet potatoes, dumpling, cole slaw, rice and beans with green peppers and onion. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/chef.gif" alt="" />
Long Bay, Tortola is so scenic and the water there is always shallow and warm. The waves started to kick-up and we had fun diving thru and riding them. Don’t want to miss the Donkey Races so its back to Carrot Bay. Not sure if I almost wet my pants because I was laughing so much or scared! Laughing because the donkeys looked like they might run out of control; scared because they did. Have you ever had a racing donkey decide to run towards you? This is an event not to be missed. Don't take your eyes off a running donkey, especially when they start to buck.
Carrot Bay Festival is the BEST! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /><img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /><img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
So we missed both of the morning ferry’s to JVD because we overslept, again. Decided to call Glen at Cane Garden Bay Pleasure Boats and "no problem" - caught a ride over. Within 15 minutes we were on White Bay. The recreational sports that have been introduced take away from the ambiance of this beautiful stretch of soft white sand and turquoise waters. Boats are anchored entirely too close to the shoreline <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" /> and walking along the beach requires one to play hopscotch with all the dingy ropes. Toasted some Painkillers (made with coconut rum) at Sandcastle with Sharon; KC was very animated and amusing. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Upon returning to CGB we were greeted by a beautiful rainbow that stretched from one side of the bay to the other; then it started to rain and I mean rain hard. What better way to rinse of the salt and sand? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Now that Festival is over, the island is getting quiet again. We catch our flight early tomorrow morning. So its back to Smugglers Cove where the locals are having a Major Beach Party. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dancingmonkey.gif" alt="" />
It sure was nice to see those of you again and a pleasure to have meet some of you for the first time and we look forward to the chance to do it all over again! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />
