We just returned recently from a week-long sailboat charter in the British Virgin Islands. A trip that was planned several years ago, was postponed and rescheduled before we knew we were moving to France. Our transportation to get there included everything but a camel - car, train, plane, ferry and finally our destination mode of travel, a 47' sailboat named Caca Fuego, translation please - Shit Fire. We cruised amongst the islands of Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Cooper Island, Anegada, and Norman Island. We snorkeled, relaxed, shopped, rented a car for a day, and had a wonderful time with our friends from Ohio.
As you might imagine this scene - waking in the morning by the ocean to the sound of sea gulls. Well my friend, that was not the case. A loud and quite early, cock-a-doddle-doo was our wake-up call every morning! They were mostly everywhere including outdoor bars. Perhaps this is where the joke began...a chicken walks into a bar! Goats were plentiful too, we could see them along the shore line or grazing high in the mountains. A buffet we saw had goat on the menu, I did not partake. Our taxi driver on Anegada zoomed past cows and donkeys that were at road's edge, at top speed I might add, telling us they were wild, no one owned them.
The gazillion stars in the night sky were spectacular with the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon.
The people living and working on the islands are extremely nice and oh, so trusting. If a cab driver dropped you off at one location and then picks you up at a later time, they didn't expect to be paid until after the round trip is completed. This is highly unlike the world I am familiar with.
Each island had its own appeal and level of rustic to modern. Here's a quick synopses of each island.
Tortola - The start of our trip. Here is where we discovered they drive on the left, as a true Brit, but the currency is the US dollar, go figure. Every full moon there is a party at Trellis Bay. This photo is a fire ball that local artists create, then a fire is built inside the ball. They are beautiful, I want one.
Jost Van Dyke - Several hammocks under the shade of palm trees by the water's edge. Rustic restaurant/bar facility, very quiet, anything-goes kinda place.
Virgin Gorda - The island is about 10 miles long, we stayed 3 nights at two different bays on this island. More modern facilities here.
Cooper Island - The lunches were so good here, we stopped twice, great fresco dining. While moored (boat attached to a floating ball anchored on the ocean bottom) a vendor would come by in a small boat selling fruits, water, and alcohol.
Anegada - While the other islands were formed by volcanos, this island is just 28 feet above sea level, known for its lobster, white sandy beaches, and coral reefs; we snorkeled here. We saw clouds with a greenish tint to them, I'm assuming because of the reflexion off the beautiful blue/green water.
Norman Island - Very protected harbor, rustic restaurant, bar located on a floating old ship. Excellent snorkeling nearby.
Click on this link below for more photos.
http://flic.kr/ps/285kjt
