Just got back last night and I am in full blown culture shock! But here are a few notes and thoughts..the weather was spectacular with Christmas winds for a couple of days which made sailing Tamarin 2 a thrilling experience..Gary and Beth have sold the business to a new guy named Lance. He is terrific and will have the same phone # for booking daysails..although its sad to see Tamarin 2 sold she is in very good hands..The surf was great when we got down ..6 to 8 feet then slowly dropping til it was down to one foot and the sand was returning to the beach in front of the house in Apple Bay..truly perfect BVI days and nights..a few things worth noting..everybody has discovered "Palms Delight" ( probably thanks to all of us raving about the place here)..Peter Jennings was even dining at the table next to us one night..its great for Tony and Iona but tough on us "regulars"..Tony did expand the place out closer to the water while we were there and added four tables..but we discovered if you weren't there by 6.30 you might have to wait 45 minutes. We found the same at "Spaghetti Junction"..showed up with no reservations and were told ( very nicely) there was a forty five minute wait. Our fault for not calling and a cautionary tale for those who want to eat there. The cruise ships were a pain for a couple of days..passengers swarming CGB and even making it over to Brewers and Smugglers..but right after New Year's things did calm down (there was actually a full blown traffic jam with all the cabs in CGB one day and the cops had to come and sort it out)..Qutio's for New Years Eve ( and other nights) was great..a couple of wonderful Quito tales will be making it into "Manpot's Tales of the Tropics" for sure..it was especially poignant to be rocking to Quito's at midnight as he sang "What the world needs now is love sweet love" with everyone hugging and then thinking about the world situation.. Bomba seems in good health and the Shack rocked on Weds and Saturdays (sadly without Xtreme..Vincent has been bartending at Quito's and says he's resting his voice for a while) Met up with Charmaine ( Sweet Lassie) and coverted her from Carib to Red Stripe ( I'm sure THAT will get some responses)..also Linda with a K and the rest of the maniacs..altogether another wonderful trip taking us one step closer to calling Tortola permanent home..sweet..Caribbean home..Happy , Peaceful, New Year everyone!