BIG thanks to all TTOLers who helped make our first Tortola trip a success. The wealth of information on this board is invaluable. Kinda long, but here goes........

Wed 4-6 arrived EIS by 3:30 in the afternoon after flights from Burlington, VT, NYC, and SJU. JetBlue and Cape Air gave wonderful service, the Cape Air pilot even walking the passengers through the maze that is SJU! Took a cab to Apple Bay and to the Sugar Mill, our home for the next week as we celebrated our 25th anniversary (and they said it would never last <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />).

Thurs 4-7 Hertz delivered our rental car and we headed off to exlplore. After months of reading about harrowing roads, it wasn't so bad. I think the fact my husband is from West Virginia where switchbacks and dirt roads are common plus his having lived in Bermuda and driving on the left for 5 years really made the whole car thing a non-issue. Found our way down to Smuggler's Cove and spent the day enjoying the heavy waves and snorkeling. Hubby spotted a ray and some turtles. Spent late afternoon and into the evening at Soper's Hole, poking around the shops and picking out our yacht (yeah, someday!).

Fri 4-8 Awoke to a cow looking in our window! A whole herd of cows were on the hillside beside the hotel munching away and one wandered over to see us. Afetr breakfast, headed over to Long Bay and as mentioned here before, it IS a beautiful strand but very rocky. Walked all the way to the left on the beach and then found a usable area. Fair snorkeling by the reef. The evening would hold 2 surprises. On the way to Bananakeet cafe for dinner, driving through Carrot bay, all of a sudden a whale breached just offshore. What a fabulous sight! (The next AM I mentioned this to our hotel's concierge and she was happy to hear this as it had been weeks since they saw any whales and had thought they had left for the summer. She said there were 2 in the bay since last Nov.). Then right before dinner, on that lovely rooftop terrace at Bananakeet, we witnessed the partial eclipse of the sun! In the days leading up to the trip, I will admit we missed a lot of news on the TV so we were especially pleased and humbled by the experience. The moon created a black fist shape on the red sun and it looked like a red crescent moon. Everyone there that night was silent, even the steel drum band temporarily stopped so we could all enjoy the sight.

Sat 4-9 Huge rainstorm overnight, had to get up and close the windows as it was raining on our bed. Decided to explore Roadtown which we found out doesn't take too long. After poking around some of the shops and the botanical gardens, we headed back for some pool time and some reading (hey, I brought along the latest trash by Jackie Collins so I had to start sometime!). Went to Sebastian's for a late lunch and just vegged out the rest of the day.

Sun 4-10 ANEGADA! Those of you who have been, understand. Those who haven't...you MUST! Took a FlyBVI flight to spend the day at the Big Bamboo. Not more than 15 people on the whole beach all day. Wonderful snorkeling - turtles, rays, starfish, loads of colorful fish. I walked on what seemed like an endless stretch of sand, thinking, smiling, not wanting the day to end. Really felt like we were at the edges of the earth. It was a very hot day and I got some burn, but now a week later I'm trying to keep the color alive if only to remember where I got it. Hit Sebastian's that night to dance to the reggae band before collapsing in bed......

Mon 4-11 Happy Anniversary to us! Picked up an elaborate picnic hamper from the Sugar Mill and headed out to spend the day at CGB. What a contrast to Anegada - more people, more noise, more everything. Our picnic lunch consistedof assorted quiches, bean salad, fresh fruit, drinks, and chocolate bread pudding for dessert. They even put in a few hibiscus blossoms into the cooler - nice touch, put one behind my ear and mugged for the camera. Just call me Leilani. Had dinner that night at Coco Plums. Cheryl, the manager, introduced herself and found out she was from NH like we are (small world, right?). We had mentioned it being our anniversary so at the end of dinner, a surprise helping of bananas foster came out with a lit candle in it and everyone in the restaurant sang happy anniversary to us! Our waitress, Donna, was a hoot and winked as we left and wished us a "good night".

Tues 4-12 Took a daysail on the Kuralu, a 50' cat out of Soper's Hole. Only about 12 of us on board, 6 of us oldies and 6 seniors out of Princeton who were there for a break before final exams and who probably groaned when they saw the geriatric set coming on board, but they ultimately were satisfied with the appearance of the bikini-clad daughter of the
captain! We stopped at Benures Bay on Norman and then the Indians. Disappointing snorkeling at both spots as there were many other crafts in the area - must have been 30+ people at the Indians! Buffet lunch on board was full and varied and the rum punches lulled must everyone into quiet naps and small conversations on the way in. Very nice afternoon.

Wed 4-13 Return to the real world <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" /> Another 12 hours all together getting us back to Burlington, then an hour and a half ride back to NH got us in at 2AM. Glad to see the 8" of snow we had left the previous week had all melted.

Things to mention in passing:
PROS - First and foremost, we did NOT encounter ANY fire ant, spider, scorpion or any other creepie crawlie. I will admit I did check out the roll of toliet paper that first night after reading someone mention that as a hiding place. The BVI people on the whole were very friendly but some we could not get a smile or even a glimmer of reaction from. Guess its the same all over the world, right? Our weather was perfect, rain limited to nights. Snorkeling above par, however seeing the whale and the eclipse were the highlights of any nature sighting. Met some nice people from the States during the week.

CONS - As mentioned above, some locals were cool. I tried understanding this, thinking maybe they didn't like the increased tourist levels. But, after a while I didn't think any more of it. Can't waste my time figuring other people out. As far as SJU airport, they definitely need more and better signage - too confusing for such a large place.

We both loved this trip, each have our special moments (the whale?, the eclipse?, the trip to Anegada?, the 17 year-old in the bikini? oh, wait, that's my husband's moment!!) I am awaiting the arrival of DIF but so far doing the mountain of laundry has kept it at bay..............