This is the basic and short trip report from Feb 12 to Feb 17, 2008.
I will not bore you with the meetings and stuff, but just the overall trip, the voodoo dolls and the LNC curse and how to overcome it. Remeber this is all in fun, and I am leaving out the names to protect the innocent! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Flight was from FLL to STT. Flight from FLL was a early afternoon flight and was scheduled to arrive in STT at 4:05 PM. I figured if I was lucky and the plane was not late that I could at least make the 5PM ferry from downtown STT.
The plane arrived a little early (maybe 10 minutes or so), just had carry on luggage only. Was off the plane and standing for the taxi by 4:05 or so, figuring it would be fine, as I was only concerned with making the 5pm ferry.
Got to the ferry dock downtown STT, with tons of time, so was able to make the 4:30 Smith ferry to West End, they put the West End tag on the luggage. Called the rental car company and told them which ferry I was going to be on, so it was easy and my possible problems were done and over with -- or so I thought!!!
Voodoo dolls, Luggage and Ferries:
Little did I know that members of TTOL had already made up little Voodoo Dolls with hand carry luggage and little ferries on a map from STT to West End. These people then proceeded to make sure that the little voodoo doll and the
hand carry luggage and the ferry would be seperated! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Got off the ferry at west end, bunches of luggage was also getting off. Looked similar, so ok the ONE piece of luggage is there. Of course I am at the end of the line -- but no problem. Clear immigration and go to get the bag and clear customs. No bag anywhere in site -- seems that the voodoo people had arranged for my little bad to make a visit to Roadtown instead. Very nice custom person -- since I had NOTHING to declare, blew thru really, really fast.
The rental car person is waiting for me and another person. So we go to get the rental car -- of course he asked where my luggage was? I said it was in Roadtown of course! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> So we process the paperwork and I fly to Roadtown
before the custom office closes so I can retrieve my little bag. Walk up to the customs office in Roadtown (the out door) and ask about my bag that was marked with West End -- oh yes -- you mean the little black bag -- it is right
there on the side as you walk in, tag and all! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> I really did not anticipate talking with two different customs people on the same day in Tortola!
But how do you defeat the TTOL people with their voodoo dolls, little luggage and ferries! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Ok, so you all did a good job and I was surprised! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Of course I did not realize about the LNC curse at this point!!!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Since I had to make an "unscheduled" drive to Roadtown. I was just a little later than I anticipated arriving at Ole Works Inn. Of course by now the office is closed. Sign on the door -- check-in at bar -- now this is "my kind of place" -- and what Carol did not know did not hurt her! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Proceed to the bar, little bag and all. Really nice bartender -- grabs the envelope with my name on it and we proceed to the room.
Now by this time I am starved, so head to Stanleys for a quick dinner and then back to Quitos for some liquid refreshment. Ok, more than one! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> And Quitos is not the first bar that I have helped close at night!
Wednesday -- what can I say -- you know how many times you can drive back and forth from Cane Garden Bay to various places in Roadtown in a single day - bunches! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Now, about this LNC curse. Had an evening meeting, so was changing getting around, etc. Ok, flip on the TV that there was much discussion about. Screwy picture, strange sound, etc. The cable box seems ok, it would go up and down
channels but the picture and sound was not right. Thought briefly that it was the voodoo people and they also had a little TV that they were putting pins in, but no, it was the LNC curse! That is much worse and I was afraid. So be careful reading the details as it can be scary and you to would be afraid! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Seems when the TV is powered off it defaults to channel 3 -- the cable box is set for channel 4. So wet hands and all I press the up channel button on the TV. OH NO!!! a religious commercial or channel is now crystal clear and I was expecting nuns to show on the tv screen at any moment!!! Hence
Laurxs' Nun Channel Curse (name hidden to protect the innocent).
Thought for a second to figure out the best way out of this situation. Put on my rubber sole tennis shoes, dried my hand completely! Thought about using a plastic pen to push the up/down channel button on the cable box. Was not sure how strong the electrical shock might be when pressing the up/down channel button. But pressed the up/down channel button -- it worked -- either the cartoon channel or CNN, not sure which or maybe the same thing. But the
precautions worked and I was able to defeat the nun channel curse. Made sure that I did not go to that channel for the rest of the week, just to be safe! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Thursday -- Virgin Gorda. Stayed at Leverick Bay Resort for the night, as it was too complicated to arrange the different appts and still make the 5pm ferry back to Roadtown. Got everything accomplished, no problem. Outside of standing at the ferry at Roadtown and seeing all of these flowers being put on the ferry? That is strange, did somebody die? OH, it is Valentines Day!!!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> Will not even talk about that. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Friday/Saturday -- returned to Roadtown on Friday morning and rest of that day and Saturday was basically meetings, etc. and going back and forth.
Places that I ate where: Stanleys, Rymers, Myetts, Cruzin, Oscars, Leverick and a couple of other places during the week.
Sunday was the trip back home. Caught the noon ferry to downtown STT. The flight was a lot later, but did not want to push the afternoon ferry, just in case. Since I just had carry on luggage, walked down to the Greenhouse (couple
of blocks from the ferry dock) and had a nice lunch there before heading to the airport.
Lines at the airport: For Spirit when I got there -- just walked up to the counter. No line at all.
Customs/immigration was long, so just waited outside for maybe 15-20 minutes or so (as they were for earlier flights than mine) and then it only took me approx. 15 minutes to get thru everything. Plane left on time and no problems encountered during the entire week with the two exceptions of the voodoo doll and LNC curse! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Any additional info I can provide, just ask away!
