Trip Report—Short (not that short!)

Just one week from 6-29 to 7-6. Land based, Tortola, at my friend’s house (Ocean Reef Villas).

The good: <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Upgraded to first class, EWR to STT—very nice. Thank you Queen FiFi for the Dolphin recommendation. Was problematic at first getting response, but then it worked seamlessly. Would use them in the future—so sorry couldn’t get a ride going home, but more on that later. Also, recommendations for Kevin taxi were numerous, however I could not reach him either by e mail or phone—later found out he was off island. So needed to abandon that.

Step off my friend’s deck and into the sea—what could be better? Greeted with champagne and yummy snacks, caught up on lots of gossip and chit chat. Got to see old friends at Myetts, Cid, Jerome, Thor, Vishay—hugs all around. Was able to meet Manpot and Saildoggie at Fish n Lime—fun to put faces to names. Wish I had time to meet more of the TTOL crowd—maybe another time.

Spent a day lounging at Scrub. Had a great lunch, seared tuna Caesar—same thing I had last visit—excellent, and reasonable. Thought I was running the tab—ended up being treated by Sue—thanks so much!! Was able to connect with Melody, Tony and their guests there—that was fun. One of their guests fell and broke two teeth—the emergency dentist at B&F Clinic did a fantastic job of fixing temporaries for her—if we didn’t know that they were broken, you couldn’t ever tell!!

Another lounge day at Little Dix. I had never been there before and what a treat. I compared Little Dix to Scrub and if I ever decided to really treat myself it would be at Little Dix. Scrub is lovely but it really has no “BVI” feel. On the other hand, Little Dix is truly a tropical paradise. They did not mind us wandering around, we sat on loungers by the beach and the pool, had lunch and drinks. Nobody asked for our room key—we did bring our own towels, though!! BTW—salad better at Scrub, setting better at Little Dix!

Some great meals—at Sue’s of course, also at Capriccio, Fish n Lime, bar snacks (great cracked conch) at Myetts. Missed out on my lobster this trip, though!!

Anegada Beach Club looks quite attractive—not really sure if it will “fit in” there—they still have to build the walkway to the beach. Pool and lounge areas are very pretty. Usual vegging at Cow Wreck—never disappoints! Great to see and spend time with Rhonda Soares—been too long!

Now for the bad!!

FERRIES—Need I say more? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />

We planned to go to Anegada on Wednesday. Got the ferry right on time. Halfway out (almost to Virgin Gorda) captain comes on the loud speaker—a problem—needs to turn around and we will get another boat! RATS. BUT—the worst is yet to come! We get back in and no boat is there—ok boat on the way. Boat arrives!! Too bad I don’t have a picture. It looks like the pontoon boats (Sue calls it the Plastic Boat) that are used for sight seeing and/or glass bottoms. Totally unseaworthy!! Leaks like a sieve—we get out into open water and everything gets soaked! Couldn’t put anything on the floor unless you wanted it washed. Totally miserable experience. People were actually barfing!! It was so bad. Need I say more—same “Plastic Boat” on the homeward bound trip—only relief was that the water was a bit calmer so we did not get quite as soaked or bounced about.

Unfortunately every trip ends and this did on Saturday—much more ignominious ending than the beginning. Was assured that the ferry from WE was running (6 45 AM UGH) to Red Hook. OK, can do that. Need to get home sometime! Sue takes me to WE—Hugs and sad goodbyes. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> Ferry finally arrives at about 7 AM—did not originate at WE, but at RT, oh well. We finally get off the dock at about 7 15. Not really concerned because my flight was at 1 58. Stop in St. John for customs—what an incredible fiasco. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> They had one guy manning the desk and a line forever long. It took 1 ½ hrs to get through C&I. All non US citizens had to be fingerprinted and photographed here (that has happened to me in other countries as well)—that surely slowed things down. OK finally everyone is through and now they bring yet another boat that we have to get on to continue to Red Hook!! Finally get to Red Hook, taxi to the airport—Phew-am plenty early. Why I am always singled out to be patted down, to have my carry on scrutinized, to have my hands swabbed, I surely don’t know!! 5 ft 2 in. 95 lb grandma—really!!! Flight was fine, (except for the on and off screaming baby in the seat next to me)--upgraded again, YEA, HOME, hubby in driveway with a glass of wine—now back to work and planning next trip. Hopefully the ferry fiascos will be fixed by then. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />