Tortola Travel Day

 Today was a travel day back to Tortola... Madison's flight home is today and everyone else's is tomorrow. We all got rolling about 8:00. Madison and I walked to the ferry to buy tickets and make sure of the schedule. We were looking at 10am, but turns out there's was another one at 9:30. We walked back to the apartment, and we all went to return the rental car. The place was surprised we found it... as was I. Then a bit of a walk back to the apartment to get all our things and leave.

After the ferry ride to Road Town, we did a bit of souvenir shopping and decided to grab a quick bite before taking Madison to the airport. We grabbed food at Rotiman and were pleasantly. We sat and ate and got to savor the last bit of time all together. We then drove to the airport and gave Madison hugs goodbye.

We took the long way back down the island and stopped at the Callwood Rum Distillery. We did the tasting and heard a bit of the history. I was a fun little stop.

We then stopped and walked down Cane Garden Bay beach. It was really pretty and definitely had more things to do... we'll know for next time. One last perilous drive and parking session back to the house. We unloaded and changed and then hiked back to Smuggler's Cove for the last time. Nigel was having food issues, so we just beached and enjoyed drinks. He told us not to leave before coming back to the bar. So we swung by before hiking back and he chatted with us a bit. Then the last hike back. What a great ending to a great trip.

Virgin Gorda Day 1

 First and only full day here on Virgin Gorda. We actually all got up and out before 9 today. First thing on the docket was The Baths. We drove there, parked, paid to get in, then started hiking down. 

First turn off was Stoney Bay. Everyone was walking to the Baths so we decided to go the less traveled route first. Plus, once you start the trail through The Baths it's one way only. I'm so glad we took the little detour as we had the rocks and small beach all to ourselves.

After some pics and playing around, we got back on the trail to The Baths. And guess what, before The Baths, there's Devil's Bay and beach... just a postcard setting. We swam for a while, but the crowds started getting bigger and bigger as time wore on, so we decided to hit the caves. For anyone in TX, it's like the lower part of Enchanted Rock, but in the Caribbean at the edge of crystal blue waters. 

After the hike back up, we grabbed food and drinks and enjoyed the breeze. 

Then we grabbed a few groceries at the Rite Way and drove around the island. 

Virgin Gorda Travel Day

 Whelp, today was Madison's last real day on Tortola, as they leave on Saturday. So we stopped so that they could record the rough waves of Long Bay with the rocks and coral clacking together as they were tossed on the surf.

Then we drove to Road Town to do a tiny bit of souvenir shopping and bought ferry tickets. Then we pushed on to Virgin Gorda.

We got into the apartment, and tried to find a rental car... high season so we were finding everywhere was rented completely out. Finally Madison called and found one last car. After that, we walked to dinner and now on to bed to rest. It's been great fun, but I can tell everyone is tired, including myself.

Tortola Day 2

 Today started with a drive back to West End (Frenchman's Cay), to do grab breakfast (breakfast 2 for some of us) and do some shopping. Hit the coffee shop for bagels and smoothies. Then ate while a guy played the guitar and we people and yacht watched. 

We thought there would be an ATM, but nope. Seems like best bet is all the way to Road Town. So after shopping, we drive into Road Town and go to the Rite Way. The ATM didn't work for us, but the grocery store was fun... some dried fruit, a bag of Bigfoot (Bigfeet?) cheese puffs and drinks. Town was a bit more challenging driving for me, but we made it to a bank where we _could_ get money. Cool. Now we can go to Smugglers Cove and enjoy the libations.

We drive back, get ready for the beach, and walk to Smugglers Cove. Current was a bit stronger than yesterday, but water was still nice. We got drinks at Nigel's Boom Boom Bar (boom boom boom)... what a character. We asked when food stopped and he said 3... it was 3:30, but he said he'd do whatever we needed. Abigail and Madison ordered food, chicken and pork. It took a while... since Nigel's auntie basically had to reopen the kitchen. Price was 1/3 of places we've been and was by far the best food we've had. 

We sat and ate and drank. Abigail said he wouldn't let her pay, said for us to pay later. Everyone is starting to pack up at the beach so we walked back to the bar. We asked him his story and he had some stories. But first, pour everyone a round of drinks, this time including himself. He came out from behind the bar and we just talked and listened to stories. Now that was a memory. We told him we were going to Virgin Gorda, but that we will be back... and we will... boom boom boom (IYKYK).

Tortola Day 1

 We got up late... well, maybe just vacation normal. We all got ready to drive to the Rite Way on Frenchman's Cay. The drive seemed a bit easier as we get used to it. The views on the drive were spectacular. The harbor was nice and there were lots of boats, a few restaurants, and the supermarket. The supermarket was pretty nice and had everything we needed. We loaded up and made the drive back.

After unloading groceries and eating a bite, we got ready for full on beach time. We walked the steep hills down to Long Bay Beach. Beautiful beach, we sat, read, and played a bit in the water. The water was rough though. There was beautiful sand to a point, then coral and rocks, then sand again. The waves were so rough that when the waves receded you could hear the rocks and coral clacking together. Although challenging, it was really fun.

After a few hours, we decided to walk to Smugglers Cove. The walk was a bit of a hike, but we were rewarded. The beach was beautiful, but so protected that the surf was much much calmer. We really enjoyed the water there... plus, shocker, I'm now in a band with Nigel from the beach bar :) I played the drum to Kenny Roger's Gambler. The plan is to return... return with cash so that we could buy food and drinks and stay longer.

After that, the hike back to wash off and plan dinner and other outtings. 

Dinner was back to Long Bay Beach resort since the planned place was closed and we didn't want to get the car out :( .

Tortola Travel Day

 Travel day started today, or really around midnight last night. Abiagail and I Ubered to the airport in San Juan to meet Madison who was arriving. Got her, no trouble, and made our way back to Old Town. 

We stayed up a bit chatting and Madison munching on snacks, Finally to bed.

We check out at 11 and Uber back to the airport for the flight to Tortola, well Beef Island, just beside Tortola. 

After a really short flight, we landed and the driving adventure began. The airport is as far northeast as you can get and we had to drive the length of the island to the west end, Long Bay. We ended up taking the 'mountain' road rather than the 'coast' road, so the drive was like driving on steep ski slopes. Of course BVI, so driving on the left, but instead of British right drive cars, it's American left drive cars. Whew... luckily Abigail was co-piloting and saying stay left every 12 seconds and everyone helped me at turns, which are the worst.

We met the AirBnB host at a restaurant in Westend due to the difficulty in finding the rental house. We met and followed him to the house where he helped guide me parking. Whoa Nelly... one point parking or you were screwed. But, I eventually did it.

The house is nice, with three bedrooms.  We settled in then walked straight to Long Bay Beach. Man, so beautiful. The surf was large, but a really pretty beach. We played a bit and walked to a restaurant. We had drinks and waited until dinner where they slipped us in. We got to eat while serenaded by steel drums.

The walk back was a bit steep, but maybe that was just all the rum... we may never know. Then finally to rest.

Puerto Rico Day 1

 After a nice night, Abigail and I got up and walked for coffee and a little breakfast. We walked to Cafe Cuatro Sombras where they roast their own coffee. Coffee was good, so was the croissant with ham and cheese and guava butter or tomato marmalade. 

We walked back along Paseo de La Princesa to the ocean front. Great views and nice breeze off the ocean. We walk all the way around until they had the lower sidewalk blocked off due to rough waves crashing. So we walked up and back through town to the apartment. 

After Bailley ate, we headed out to start our only full day in San Juan in earnest. We walked uptown to the coast near the cemetery, Plait del Cemetario. Then we went through the park to the castle, Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Wow, what a fortress and what a fun time exploring it. Plus every view of and off of it was gorgeous. 

We walked on around the peninsula then back up to near the main church, Catedral Basilica Manor de San Juan Bautista, to stop for snacks and drinks. Maybe it was the snacks, but maybe it was the multiple rounds of mojitos, but we had a long great talk about everything and life in general. 

Then a short walk to get dessert... when your cookie comes with a 'shot', well, you're in a good place. Then to buy waters for the fridge and back to the apartment. 

Last excursion was to Don Collins cigar shop. The oldest surviving cigar factory in the Caribbean making handmade cigars (or at least that's what they say).  And then back to the apartment to rest. Probably not doing much else until dinner and maybe a trip to the airport to get Madison.