BosWaterbaby’s Tortola Trip Report - January 24-February 7, 2004

January, 24, 2004
Travel day. It was 5 degrees out with high winds when we left Boston at 7:20am, but as least it was sunny and no weather problems to hinder our departure. No problems checking in or at security. Arrived in San Juan 40 minutes early! Tried to get on an earlier flight to Beef Island, but no luck. Our 1:30 was on time.

ITGO car rental didn’t show at the airport as promised. Had to take a cab into Roadtown to get our car. No big deal.

Off to find the villa on Brewer’s Bay. We knew approximately where it was, but it took a few minutes to find it. Having been to Tortola a few times, we know our way around pretty well, so it wasn’t too bad. Good luck to anyone trying to find this place on their first trip though!

The house is perched on the western hillside of Brewer’s Bay with a fantastic view of the beach and bay. It has two bedrooms, two baths, large kitchen, living/dining room, huge fantastic covered deck and a very nice pool. There are 4 sets of double french doors that open to the awesome bay view. This is going to be GREAT!

We’re starving so we head into Roadtown to eat and do some provisioning. It was too early to eat at Spaghetti Junction and we didn’t feel like going to go to Capriccio, so we went to Pusser’s Roadtown for a quick bite. Big mistake. Our two for one painkiller’s with our Drinking Man’s Guide started us out just fine, but it was all downhill from there. The food was horrendously bad. We were so disappointed as we have had some decent meals there and at the Soper’s Hole Pussers. We pledged never to set foot in a Pusser’s again.

Shopped at Bobby’s, back to the house and to bed early as we’re pooped from a long day of travel.

January 25, 2004
Tortola alarm clock (aka rooster) starts in a 3am! Much prefer the sound of the waves from down below, but have to shut the doors to block out some of the alarm clock noise.

North swells are really running. Not much beach is showing at Brewer’s and there are some sizable waves. Lot’s of limin’.

After lunch we go over the hill to Cane Garden Bay so I can buy a Quito CD. Bought two CD’s – Caribbean Run is my favorite. Poked around Cane Garden and hung out on the beach for a while. Stopped by the Elm to see if the BBQ was on. Prices had increased a little though, it’s now $13 or one item, $14 for two and $15 for three (fish, ribs, chicken).

We head west to Carrot and Apple Bay to see if Palm’s Delight is open or not and then to find Coco Plum’s location. Go into Roadtown for a little more provisioning and then back to the house. We’re in need of a rum punch. A premixed gallon of punch and a premixed gallon of painkiller’s awaits us in the fridge. How convenient. Some fresh grated nutmeg from Sunny Caribbe and we’re in business.

Decided on Coco Plum’s for dinner. Excellent choice. Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere. Great value. The place was packed. We’ll definitely be back.

Oh, yeah, how can I forget! On the way to dinner going up the hill on the west side of Cane Garden Bay we see something crossing the road about 25 feet in front of us – first though is that it’s a crab – then the realization – it’s not a crab, but a HUGE tarantula! Ahhhhhhh!

January 26, 2004
Unfortunately I’m not feeling well today, really sick to my stomach, don’t want to eat or drink anything. Stayed at the house and read all day. Had some soup for dinner and to bed early.

January 27, 2004
Definitely feel better today, but still a bit weak. Raining like cats and dogs out. We decide to go into Roadtown around llam to drop off some of my old gold jewelry at Samarakind Jewelry as I’m going to have Sally melt it down and make me a pair of hibiscus earrings along with a matching bracelet and pin/pendant. Chatted for quite a bit with Sally. She’s such a lovely lady.

Went back to Brewer’s to Nicole’s for lunch – best burgers and pina colada’s on the island! Chat with Nicole for a while. Hang at the beach.

Time to go back to the house for rum punches. Dinner at Spaghetti Junction tonight. First time having dinner here. Very nice atmosphere. Good service. Food is excellent, but I have to say, the portions are very small for the price charged. Not a good value. Hubby was nibbling back at the house as he was still hungry.

January 28, 2004
Windy as hell this morning, but the bay looks pretty flat. We’re dying to snorkel, so we zip down to see if it’s doable. Nope, Brewer’s is still a rockin’ and a rollin’ with waves. We head east on Ridge Road. Stop to see the surfer’s at Josiah’s Bay. Some serious waves here today. On to Lambert – same deal here – big waves. On to Long Bay East. Ahhhhh, flat as glass, barely a ripple here today. Swim, lounge, take a walk, float on my float in the water, play catch in the water with my hubby. What a great day.

Back to the house for those 5 o’clock rum punches (we’re beginning to feel like Dustin Hoffman in Rainman – it’s 5 o’clock, time for rum punches).

Dinner at Brandywine Bay. It’s great to see Davide. Dinner was very good. The only disappointment here was there were some new, inexperienced servers and they weren’t quite up to par. Davide was quite busy this evening, but we’re happy he has a few minutes to chat with us after dinner and we had the pleasure of meeting his parents. Great fun.

To be continued…. and photo's too.