Well we have been back just over a week from our first trip to the BVI and we had so much fun that we are already planning our return. I will warn you that this might be a long report, the BVI has suddenly become my hot topic. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
Day 1: We leave RDU for PHL and STT at 7am. An early morning, but we are so excited that we don't even realize how early. The flights are all on time and we arrive in STT as expected. We gather our luggage, make a quick stop at the duty free and grab a cab to the ferry terminal in Charlotte Amalie. Our luck continues and we catch the ferry just as it is leaving. A quick check to make sure that our luggage is on and off we go. We arrive at West End after a quick stop at Red Hook and Cruz Bay. We grab a Amstel Light <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> while we are waiting for the cab. We arrive in CGB after being amazed by the taxi driver's ability to get up and over the hills on the North Shore. We soon come to realize that those switchbacks are nothing. We get dropped off at Rhymer's and check in. The ladies at the front desk were great and answered our many, many questions for the time that we were there. Our first impression of the rooms at Rhymer's was good (but and yes there is a but that we won't get into that here). The location was fantastic and we loved the 2nd floor deck overlooking the beach that soon became our favorite spot for breakfast, a late night cocktail and the best place to catch a breeze. Our first night we swim and then get ready to see Quito play solo. The show was great. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/band.gif" alt="" />
Day 2: We wake up early and can't wait to get the day started. Yes we are awakened by the roosters and think that it is the best alarm clock that one could have on vacation. Breakfast on the deck and then we spend the rest of the day on the beach in front of Rhymer's. We try out our snorkeling gear on the ridge at the far west end of the bay. Not bad for our first time ever snorkeling. I think the $40/ea that we paid for the gear at Costco was very well spent and I recommend the gear by US Diver.
Day 3: The one thing that I just had to do on this trip was go on a Day Sail. We looked at many postings and websites and decided on Aristocat. John and Steve treated us like family. They were great and I cannot say enough nice things about them and the day that we had. We left Village Cay at 9:30am and sail over to the Indians for probably the best snorkeling of the trip. From the Indians we make it over to Benures Bay on Norman Island for a great swim and some lunch. From there we make a pit stop at the Willie T for a Red Stripe and then to the Caves for more snorkeling. The sail back to Road Town was fantastic and the day really started a fire for my desire to sharpen my sailing skills again. I had Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) certifications, but have not sailed in about 8 years. I have to say that we were both pretty jealous of everyone that chartered for their vacation and think that this would be the best way to go in the BVI.
Day 4: We decide that the best way to see the island is to rent a vehicle. So, we call Denzil Clyne and they pick us up at Rhymer’s and bring us over to West End to secure the rental. The vehicle that we get has the best air conditioning and we joke that we are going to sleep in the truck just to be cool (we are really spoiled). We try our hand at driving on Tortola. What a rush!! I will say that Brian is the best driver and by the end of the day he is an expert! We gather up our stuff and pick up Tom (a fellow sailor from Aristocat) and off to Smugglers Cove we go. We really had no idea where we’re going, but we make a couple turns and before we know it we are there. The beach here is soooooo beautiful. I think that this is one of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. We spend most of the day here and buy lunch from the lady with the bar set up. Yummy, BBQ chicken, red beans and rice, potato salad and fried plantains. I would recommend the trip over the dirt road to Smugglers Cove. You will fall in love as we did. Later that night we have dinner reservations at Bananakeet at the Heritage Inn. Dinner was excellent, the staff were the friendliest that we met and the view is probably the best that we experienced on the island. I highly recommend the Bananakeet!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
Day 5: We decide to make our way over to Trellis Bay and Marina Cay for the day. The ride over the ridge road is interesting to say the least. Watch out for the cows and goats when you’re not watching out for the view. We see White Bay on Guana Island and wish that we can get there. It looks so beautiful. We arrive at Trellis Bay, take a look around and off to Marina Cay we go. We spend another great day with sun, sand and snorkeling. It’s a hard life, but someone has to live it!!! Lunch at Pusser’s another swim and back to CGB.
Day 6: We awaken to the sounds of a busy day at CGB. The lady at the front desk tells us that there is a cruise ship coming into Roadtown today. We decide to escape and spend the day in Brewers Bay. The beach is so quiet with just a few people on the there. We have lunch at Nicole’s – Red Stripe and Cheeseburgers. Great stuff. We spend the rest of the day swimming, snorkeling, watching the local kids learn to sail and catching up on the latest summer reading. Brewers Bay had some great snorkeling and we saw many varieties of fish here. At the end of the afternoon, we head back to CGB and decide to head up to Bananakeet for a cocktail and to watch to sun go down. Heaven. I highly recommend the Bananakeet Drink. The guys at the bar will take great care of you and make for interesting conversation.
Day 7: We say good-bye to Tortola and head for the ferry at West End to take us over to Jost Van Dyke, but not before we walk over to the Jolly Roger for a Rum Punch and chat with the lady behind the bar. They definitely have the best rum punch of the entire trip. The ferry over to Jost Van Dyke was great and we pass the time away chatting with a couple from California. We arrive at the dock and a grab a taxi over to Sea Crest Inn. We were very pleased with our room there. Nice view of Great Harbour and a nice balcony. The room was clean and very equipped with everything you might possibly need. We settle in and head down the hill to Foxy’s for a beer <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" />and to watch him perform. It was fun and he sang us a song about Canada!! Thanks Foxy!! We have dinner at Corsairs tonight. Fantastic fish!!
Day 8: Off to White Bay we go!! We pack up our gear and decide to hike over the hill today. The hike is not bad, but it is hot, hot, hot!! The view of White Bay is so nice from the hillside and it is more inviting than any picture you will ever see. We land on the beach at Ivan’s Stress Free and immediately jump in the crystal clear water. I think now we have officially forgotten were we used to live, were we used to work and that we ever worked. We walk over the path to the other side of the beach. We find a great place in the shade on the other side of One Love. The morning is quiet, but just hang on. This is Thursday and there is a Windjammer Cruise anchored out front. This would be the busiest day that we see on any beach the whole time we are in the BVI. Talk about fun in the sun. We did not expect this. A few people at One Love said that this was more like a day in March instead of July. I never expected White Bay to be such a hot bed of activity. We make the most of the day and enjoy the people watching. We have lunch at Gertrude’s (which was great) and Painkillers at the Soggy Dollar. The painkiller becomes our favorite drink and start working on a collection of cups. We head back over to Great Harbour and head down to Foxy’s for the night. The place is really busy tonight due to the cruise ship. We dance the night away.
Day 8: Looks like rain today. We rent a car from Abe’s by the Sea. We drive to the East End and Foxy’s Taboo. We hike over to the Bubbly Pool and catch some pictures and a great breeze. The pool is not working today, but what a great place to pass the time. We decide to hike back over to Foxy’s for a drink, but get caught in a rain storm and the guys at the bar tell us that it is probably better that we make it up over the dirt road before it gets too bad. We are glad that we take their advice. By the time that we get to the top of the hill by Little Harbour, we barely can see 5 ft in front of us. We drive down to Sidney’s Peace and Love and grab yet another rum punch and wait out the rain. The storm is pretty intense and this is really the only day that we see any amount of rain. We head back over to White Bay after the rain lets up. The beach is still fairly busy given the weather conditions, but we don’t let it stop us. We watch a few boats leave just as another squall rolls in and wish them well. Braver souls that I !! We head back to our room to freshen up and get ready for dinner at the Sandcastle. Dinner is delicious and we share great conversation and painkillers with some of the hotel guests. I think that we would like to stay here when we return to JVD. The rain doesn’t let up much throughout dinner, but we are treated to a great light show with the lightening, lighting up St. Thomas. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
Day 9: No question, we hike yet again to White Bay for the day. Set up shop in the shade and enjoy a very relaxing day. We can’t believe that it is our last full day in the BVI. The only thing we talk about is how perfectly clear blue the water is at White Bay and when we are coming back to the BVI. We toast a Painkiller <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> from the Soggy Dollar and have lunch at Gertrude’s. We head back to Great Harbour, grab a drink at Corsairs and BBQ Dinner at Foxy’s!!
We have traveled to various different places, but this is by far the most relaxing and beautiful place yet. We are sold on the BVI and will be back again and again. Thanks to everyone on this board that helped us plan a most memorable trip. Sweetlassie and Wmangum and Cabojimmy we were intrigued by your beautiful pictures. BigJim, thanks for all the info on JVD. Manpot thanks for all you insight on Tortola. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />
Cheers
Shannon & Brian
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