Just back from 16 days on Virgin Gorda. Will try and keep it short.
For third time in a row (a first for us) ...no major airline problems. Well when you get up to pack away stuff at 6, catch the 8 am ferry to Roadtown, the 10 am to STT , a 4:30 flight delayed till 455 just to scare me into thinking that I would be spending a night in Miami..but flight to ST. Louis was delayed cause the crew that was to switch to our plane, landed late on the other end of D concourse so got to St. Louis a little before midnight...it wasn't perfect. A previous topic…used the taxi stand stowage for the whole enchilada with my patented trash bags on our bags at Charlotte Amalie ferry dock…and got home with everything. Almost no chance of being the victim of thieves as long as your bags are marked imo. All my camera stuff with a bunch o lenses and a computer was in one of those gotoheck bags. I was that certain. No way I would check that bag.

But going down was great--went on a Tuesday, leaving St. Louis at 6 something am and arriving at our place on VG by 6 something pm via Speedy's direct ferry.
It is truly nice to arrive in one day of travel in time to see the beautiful ocean view youve thought about a good while without having to wait till the next morning as often is the case coming through EIS and taking the late ferry from North Sound. Two connections and a ferry is often better than three connections and a ferry…and cheaper.

The first week, the islands seemed busy. Our place is close, a four minute drive, to Savannah Bay, which also happens to be our favorite beach anywhere we have visited, where we end up on most days. The beach was busy the first week. Seemed like a busy winter time crowd; which really isn't very busy for the long stretch of sand. After that first weekend, it was as if "everybody went home".... or quarantine had been proposed.

A minor complaint, someone, I assume "from the government and here to help ya" whacked the bejeebers out of the big sea grapes near the parking area that provided wonderful shade "front porches" to the beach. Guess they wanted a better view of the ocean from the parking area? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

The island was very dry, usually is in summer, but extremely so. The last week though there was quite a bit of rain, but not enough to really keep anyone from enjoying the outdoors. Too bad our drought back here at home didn't get some help as well.

There were great trade winds pretty much throughout our stay and we only used the Ac in the bedroom to get the humidity out and to keep the sun from coming in the east windows early, and the two am roosters at bay. Whether on the boat or on land I often prefer Ac in summer--don't think we turned it on in three weeks last Jan and Feb on land...but would in the boat without doubt. The deck and the rest of the house was quite cool enough throughout the stay. There is no substitute from wind off the ocean and afternoon shade in de ilons. Without it, this stay would have been quite warm.

The water is PERFECT… there is not that 10 minute “adjustment” period from “what am I thinking going into this freezing water….to “this ain’t so bad” as there is in winter. Why I like summer better down there than winter…and a bonus is that it’s cooler than my spot here in the swamp at home as well.

Speedy's had us a brand new set of wheels...felt increased pressure as I'm used to getting one with so many marks on the checkout sheet that I could damn near run it off north sound road and you wouldn't see much difference in the x marked diagram of the vehicle. Quite spiffy and used 50 bucks worth of gas in 16 days... don’t have to go far when you are where ya wanna be. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> Speedys generally does a great job and is quite handy for us..…people beat the heck out of those cars…makes one worry about buying a charter boat…but who would be dumb enough to do that? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Dining----what we do best. Did more grilling at home this time. Bucks had some good Delmonico steaks..very good in fact. But a brief rundown; Went to The Fat Virgin, Jumbies at Leverick, Chez Bamboo, The Mine Shaft, Village Café, Hog Heaven, Dockside bar at Bath and Turtle, Coco Maya, Chez Bamboo, Monday night buffet at Little Dix.

Best dinner---Couple of them at Chez Bamboo were outstanding..as are their martinis. Outstanding fillet and great spring rolls and bbq rib appetizer were devine. Great service. Think they close today.

Best lunch---Hands down as it has been for nearly every trip, the Village Cafe at Virgin Gorda Village at the pool their entire menu is great. Best wings and cheeseburgers anywhere.. Their blended drinks are awesome...my admiral is hooked on their "dirty banana". Huge portions and friendliest service, they really make you feel at home, southern hospitality in the islands for sure. If I didn't live there I'd put more miles on the rental to get there. Problem is if we had lunch there; really weren't hungry for dinner.

Best view anywhere ...Hog Heaven. A great place to cool off with a cold one and soak in the veiw. Only had a couple really clear days the whole time, but made it up there on one of them...fantastic. Nice folks.

Coolest new place...Coco Maya. Just down on the shore from the Rock Cafe, when you walk through the entrance you will be blown away and think...."I'd just like to stay here a decade or so". It is simply magnificent. Great breeze and we sat in the main open dining area, there are a couple others that are always covered...and a slick motorized canopy was activated when a shower came by. They have a few entrees, and a lot of tapas dishes. We enjoyed the food. Have some neat lounges on the sand between the restaurant and shoreline along with a firepit and spiffy lanterns....a magical place for sure.

Snorkeling, Didn't get around a lot. The small bay between Savannah and Little Dix… don’t get over there much but is a fun trip and decent snorkeling along the rocks…you do feel it’s “your beach”…noticed twice Little dix dropped people there ….never seen that before—looks like even the shallow draft skiff would drag getting in there. Unfortunately should tell em that the little sandy beach allows no access to water …coral and rocks in front of it---and the rocky area on down that does have a nice sandy spot in the water---has you navigating the steep rocky bank…and when you reach the sand heaving your crocks back to the rocks….I’m guessing most Little Dix guests are not used to that. Urchin stings r us. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Savannah – several nice adventures mostly because that is where we hang out, lots of fish, not great, but saw my second turtle I've personally seen at Savannah. Had to be a little careful as this is the time the PR navy is heading between the reefs at Savannah over to their spot at Pond Bay where they hang out. During “rush hour” being on the outside of the reef is a lil worrisome.
Long Bay, usually a favorite but went after our biggest rain and was cloudy.

Fishing…did a little on the rocks between Savannah and the bay mentioned above—caught a nice yellow tail and a couple I dunnos..but tossed all back. After talking with the handliners; next time I’ll eat the yellow tail and take my chances.
All in all it was a very nice and relaxing trip, which for us is what it is all about. It made us all the more happy of our choices and eager to return to our favorite island in a collection of great ones.