Wednesday 4/19/06 –Left Providence at 6:40am on Spirit. We stayed at the airport Raddisson the night before and parked our car there. Flights through Ft Lauderdale to St Thomas were easy and happy. Quick taxi ride to the ferry at Charlotte and we hopped right on the ferry. Great ride, everyone smiling. Sat on top with Red Stripes oohhing and ahhing all the way to the West End.
Jerry was there to pick us up, (reservation by phone most reliable communication). We climbed into our little Suzuki and were off to CGB. Malcia graciously greeted us at Lighthouse Villas and we settled into #4 on the 3rd Floor. Very nice, one large open, airy room with kitchen at the back and balcony on the front. Plenty of room and very comfortable.
After a nice swim and leisurely walk we ended up at Stanley’s for cheeseburgers and Coronas (no Carib available). We slid over to the Elm for our 1st painkillers and enjoyed swinging while watching the sun set. Power went out – time to go back.

Thursday 4/20. –Breakfast at Rhymers. Ate here all three mornings, at least one day we sat at a different table! Service was always happy and prompt and food good. Quick rain shower during breakfast was fun.
Drove over to Smugglers and snorkeled for a while. The Tortola Women’s Art Guild was having a paint and critique day at the Beach Bar and it made a wonderful diversion. As always the Thai salad and cheeseburgers are great there but the best thing about the Beach Bar is Matt’s authentic preparation of his great drink selection. Margaritas made with real ingredients. Peeked inside Mr Dunniston’s famous white limo for a Queen’s view of the interior. We snorkeled some more and then went for a ride. We turned right up Belmont Hill and went around that way to Soper’s Hole and then back to CGB.
We’d made reservations at Bannakeet for 6:00 from home and were glad we had. Table 12 for two out at the end of the terrace was beautiful. No sunset but still very pretty. Hard to see our tuna and mahi mahi after sun went down but still had fun. Back to CGB and listened to the magic of Quito unplugged till after midnight.

Friday 4/21 –After breakfast at Rhymers decided to hike Sage Mountain. Great experience! It’s definitely a little muddy and sloppy and takes a while so come prepared with good shoes, water and energy. The reward is seeing several distinct types of forest completely different but right next to each other. Each side of the mountain top is different. The huge fallen trees, the bulletwoods, and the elephant ears were impressive. We took the north and south loops and the last three Caribs on the island were mighty tasty when we got back to the restaurant at the parking lot.
We drove down to Josiah’s bay for a swim and lunch at Naomi’s. The surf was huge and even swimming was a challenge. We settled in for cheeseburgers and her famous ice cold beer from the freezer. It absolutely poured during lunch and it was so beautiful with the surf pounding away.
Went home and cleaned up for our 6pm reservation at Brandywine. No hot water, valve broke, okay but stimulating. (Malcia had a plumber there and fixed that night). 1st ones at Brandywine and sat on the terrace for a drink. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> Davide, the consummate gracious host. His item by item presentation of the four course ala carte menu is unique and mouth watering. Be prepared to pick four courses plus dessert and wine from some wonderful choices. It was a great experience and several grappas with Davide after dinner on the terrace chatting up TTOL and fun in the BVI’s was unforgettable. As usual we were the last ones to leave.
Easy, slow ride back to CGB. Back just in time for the Edge to start at Quito’s. We grabbed seats at the bar and had a fantastic time. They played until after 2 a.m. and the place was packed. They’re a great band and very entertaining. I understand some of the previous discussions about the young female singer fronting the band. She’s amusing but it’s true, the crowd kind of lets out a collective embarrassing sigh when she sings. But even so the Edge should never be missed if you’ve got the opportunity.

Saturday 4/22—Beautiful, crystal clear morning. Not much sleep but up early and excited to be going to Jost. Another happy breakfast at Rhymers and back to the room for coffee on the deck and packing. Packed up, promised Malcia we’d be back next April, and headed over to Sopers for one last chance at an ATM.
Stopped at Jerry’s to return car ($50/day for everything) and he brought us back to the ferry. Bobby’s delivery truck pulled up about 12:45 ending some speculation about our eating for the week. Everything was perfect, boxed and complete. We spent $225 for 4 bottles of wine, case of beer, breakfast and lunch foods, and snacks. We paid by credit card right there. We had e-mailed our list to Leon 3 weeks prior with phone confirmation. Great service.
1PM ferry feeling overwhelmingly happy to be on our way to Jost for a week. Off the ferry one of the taxi drivers called Selena to come pick us up. (Like Jerry’s we tried to use e-mail with Selena but found that a phone call was the easiest to confirm and make reservations.) Selena came right over- Clay went back to her office to do the paperwork and I waited at the unused new customs building amused by the minister and wedding party congregating on the dock after conducting a wedding at Gertrude’s that morning.
A quick ride over the hill to White Bay Villas. The first walk through the house onto the patio is just stunning. The view of White Bay, St Thomas and St Johns from up there is extraordinary. We unpacked and went down the path to the beach for a swim. We wandered over to Ivan’s for Coronas and cheeseburgers. More swimming (saw a baby sea turtle) and then back to Sunset Villa West to crash. Sleeping with wide open doors and windows to the ocean was relaxing and really easy after the late night at Quito’s Friday.

Sunday 4/23—Bacon & eggs on the patio and off to the Bubbly pool by 9:30am. Main St., Great Harbor just starting to wake up as we drove through. Finally found the path and stayed for awhile at the Bubbly Pool. What a treasure. We were the only ones there and the waves were great. Walked back to Taboo and had lunch and drinks with Louis. Such a fantastic view, so relaxing, great happy service. Taboo became our second favorite place, and Louis’ sense of humor made the meals a lot of fun. The food was very good too, nice to be able to get a salad instead of the usual cheeseburgers.
Drove back to Ivan’s for some swimming, found the hammock to the left and settled in for a while. Drove over to the Soggy Dollar for painkillers and made dinner reservations for 7PM. Soggy Dollar pretty crazy on Sunday afternoon and very entertaining with Reuben playing. Came back for supper which was nice, although not really outstanding.

Monday 4/24 –Swim before breakfast and then back to Ivan’s for the day. Stayed at Ivan’s till 3pm and then rode over to Soggy Dollar with Gina and Mike from San Diego. Met them later at Wendell’s and had a great (and pretty crazy) night dancing late at Foxy’s till the wee hours.

Tuesday 4/25—Sleepy day after Foxy’s late. B-fast at villa and drove to Ivans for swim. Can’t get enough of Ivan’s, our second home. Drove over to other side of Bay and had very nice lunch at Gertrude’s. Home for afternoon and sunset. Rode over to Great Harbor and ended up at Foxy's for a delicious salad and pizza. Found the hat we'd left last year and a couple more from our hometown. Located the webcam. Nice late night barefoot walk down main street stopping at Wendell's to watch the playoff's for awhile with the boys.

Wendesday 4/26 –Up early and off to snorkeling by Taboo. Great snorkeling until we noticed the 5 foot shark swim by us! We hurried in and walked over to the Bubbly Pool which was in great form. Once again we had the place to ourselves. One of the highlights of the trip was hanging out with the Bubbly Pool dog, who guided and watched over us the whole time. She really knows her stuff! Had a very relaxing lunch at Sydney’s Peace and Love. Very happy place. Staff watching “Day’s of our Lives” on the big screen.
Went back to Ivan’s for the afternoon- he was bringing in supplies for Thurs BBQ by boat. Corsairs for supper, Vinny a great host. Reuben played the whole time and we had the table for two overlooking the street which was very entertaining.

Thursday 4/27 --Ivans BBQ day. We walked down after b-fast and stayed all day- swim, snorkel, drink. Topless girl kept everyone entertained on rope swing. Home for a shower and back for BBQ. Great BBQ. Big crowd. Reuben played late, another great time. Met some nice people and enjoyed talking the night away.

Friday 4/28 –Cleaned up and packed in morning. Went to Taboo for lunch-great fish sandwiches and Bushwackers. Back to Ivan’s for afternoon. Foxy’s Friday nite BBQ fun and entertaining. Tall blonde from St Thomas pole dancing got everyone’s attention. Live band, sort of, was kind of doing a karaoke thing reggae style. Pretty calm and home early.

Saturday 4/29—Packed up and down to Great Harbor by 9am. Turned jeep into Selena and waited for ferry. Ferry to West End and then on to St Thomas (napped inside). Carnival in St. Thomas, we just saw end of parade. Got to airport at noon for 2:30 flight so had plenty of time for customs and lunch. Business class upgrade to Ft. Lauderdale was nice but regular seats from there to Providence with baby crying all the way home behind us was hard (earlier excitement when Customs and Immigration “escorted” two young women off the plane). Didn’t get into Providence till almost midnight so decided to stay at Raddisson one more night. Next time hope to remember warm clothes for flight home.

Absolutely fantastic trip!!! Support and info. from TTOL’s made the trip so easy. Staying in CGB and on Jost is so unique. It’s like visiting someone and hanging out in their big open air living room with no problems, ever. So happy and so relaxing. Although we had a general idea every day of what we were going to do we made sure to stay completely flexible and do what ever felt right. Both Lighthouse and White Bay Villas were excellent and beyond our expectations. We would highly recommend both. Two days into a 10 day trip we both were completely relaxed and stress free. 350 days and counting till we’re back. Thanks for the help everyone!!!!!!!! Trip pictures forthcoming as soon as we reduce the number down from 542 into a manageable album….

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