I’m not calling this a trip report b/c there has been some serious competition in that area around here recently!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
We returned Saturday from a week at the Pink House on White Bay, JVD. This was our 3rd trip to the house but we took a couple who had never been to the BVI.
The weather was nuts! We had LOTS of rain Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and part of Wednesday. Thursday and Friday were wonderful. The rain kept us from doing some things but we were on vacation so sitting on the porch reading was just fine! We were able to rent a jeep and go to the bubbly pool on Tuesday. We had hoped to have lunch at Taboo but they were not opening until this week.
I’ll just make a few comments on things I noticed or that stood out while we were there.
First, a lot was closed. I expected this but not to this degree. Besides Abe’s and The Sandcastle the only other game in town was Ivan’s. This was just fine for us! I have never been there and not seen even the gift shop at Foxy’s open.
Second, I know it has been discussed here but I am gonna comment on the service received. I don’t know if they have implemented training or what but everyone seemed so friendly!! Now don’t misunderstand me. We have never had a “bad” experience in the BVI but there are some times that you attribute shortness or callousness by some locals to “island time” This trip we saw none of that!! Everyone was great. At the Baths, at Cooper Island, everywhere! Very Nice!!
Third, “Uncle Wendell” took us on a day excursion around Tortola. What a great day!! None of us had ever seen the Baths. Amazing!!! There were quite a few people there, though. We lunched at Cooper Island since we stayed there last March and it was just as wonderful as we remembered. Conch fritters, burgers and jerk chicken wraps….. mmmmmmm. We then went to the Willy-T, a first for all of us. I will elaborate on this in a minute! We went all the way around Tortola and overall just had a wonderful day.
Next, our two meals out. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />Dinner at Abe’s was spectacular!! Biggest darn lobsters I have ever seen. They make a pretty mean painkiller there as well. Wine was not bad for the price either! The place was empty except for us and one other couple. Thursday night we ate at the SandCastle. It was wonderful as usual. The placed was full to capacity. We all ate the snapper and it was to die for. They had pumpkin soup and a warm seafood salad with mussels, fish, and shrimp! Awesome.
We did have drinks at Seddy’s on Sunday and he was up to his usual magic tricks. I swear I have now seen him do that rope trick 50 times and it still baffles me!!! His girlfriend and two children were always around so it wasn’t quite the party place we had experienced in the past! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />
As always we cooked a lot at the house. For the first time we used Bobby’s and overall we were very pleased. There were a few mistakes like no tomatoes and about 30 onions, and they sent us 2 cases of Corona verses the Carib we ordered. Also any name brand chips we ordered came in as the local brand (meaning if we ordered Doritoes we got some strange brand that was similar). Everything they did send was in great shape and the cheeses and vegetables were great! We will use them again for sure! Also we bought a package deal from Omaha steaks before this trip. We normally go to the butcher and get steaks, pork chops, fish…to take with us. This time my wife got an e-mail for a package from Omaha Steaks and the price was right so we gave it a shot. We were highly impressed! They delivered it the day before we left. This was great b/c it was already frozen solid. Each piece of meat was individually sealed so it was perfect for travel. We got two types of steaks, pork chops, and coconut shrimp and it was all great. We took salmon and my wife stuffed some chicken with a goat cheese mixture for one night.
Ivan’s is still my favorite spot on earth. I will say I was very disappointed when we arrived Saturday night to find that all the coolers and cabinets at Ivan’s were locked tight!! The Honor Bar is no more. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />Horribly sad commentary on the cheapness of some people. We were told it was some day sail captains and party boats that were abusing the rules. People who should know better. But Ivan was there most every day and we were still able to run a tab for the Pink House for the week.
The day trip I mentioned earlier was originally booked with Colin at JVD Watersports. He called me from the police station Thursday morning to tell me the trip was off b/c his boat had been stolen the night before!! He said the mooring line had been cut and the boat was gone. He had no theft insurance so I feel really bad for him. He was very nice and there was an unnecessary apology e-mail waiting for me when I got home. I guess there is some crime on JVD after all.
The Willy-T, WOW!!! We went for drinks at 3:00 in the afternoon b/c we had never seen it and thought it would be neat to see. Man is the rep for that place dead on!! There weren’t many people there but the ones that were around were really getting into the spirit of things. Neither of the women with us felt comfortable and honestly neither did we. Keep in mind this is coming from 4 30-33 year olds who are by no means prudes!! These folks were taking body shots off each other with very little clothing involved. Let’s just say that all the girls were topless and “shared” whipped cream with one another in very interesting ways! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> We grabbed a beer and headed out. I’m sure some folks love the place but I can guarantee I’ll never see it a gain. (God I’m getting old)
Only other thing worth noting was the tarpon in White Bay. I had debated taking my fly rod but decided against it. I WILL NOT make that mistake again!!!!! We noticed the bait balls (large schools of tiny fish) being pushed near shore every morning. The pelicans were having a field day with them! I kept trying to see what was doing the pushing but could never make them out. Finally I couldn’t stand it any more so my friend and I donned our snorkel gear and went way out so we could approach the feeding fish from the sea and see what they were. Turns out it was some of the largest tarpon I had ever seen!! These fish were huge! We could just stay on the surface and the fish would cruise underneath. Every bit of 4 foot plus!!! Monsters! It was really neat to see.
Overall a great trip and I think we have pulled a few newbies over to the BVI way of life.
We had not even gotten on the plane home before my wife was trying to decide where to book our spring trip!!! (I think we may try Tortola, VG, or St. John)
Most of the shots are peolpe not scenery, sorry!
http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowseP...9203&page=1&sort_order=0 
