Our B.V.I. Adventure

Down on the Farm

2012-02-10T20:47:00.000-04:00

On Friday afternoon, Michael and I took Anna Drake to the BVI's annual Farmer's Week. It was such a cool, breezy afternoon.

Farmer's Week is held on the grounds of the Agriculture Department each February. It gives local farmers a chance to share their crops with the community and even engage in some friendly competition!

I loved exploring the tent where the prize fruits and vegetables were on display. (We were dying to try the first place homemade ginger beer!)

Here's Anna Drake on top of the winning pumpkin!

We also showed her the bunnies, ducks, goats, pigs and cows.

I think she had fun, don't you?

We may have to go back tomorrow when more vendors will be selling their fresh fruits and vegetables. I talked Michael out of an impulse buy of sugar cane... What would we do with it??? I might have to search for some recipes that call for it.

There's Something About Mary

2012-02-06T16:07:00.000-04:00

If you want to know what it is, you'll have to watch this new video by the BVI Tourist Board.

I'm interested to know what people who've visited here think of this promotional video. Is it an accurate representation of the islands? I'm also interested to know what people who haven't been here think... Does it lure you in?

It definitely portrays the BVI as a friendly place, but it doesn't necessarily show off the islands from the water, which is one of the most beautiful ways to see this place. There are a few beach scenes, but I'm not sure those video sequences capture the essence of the BVI.

The video is well shot and edited. Although, I had to watch it twice because at the end, when the voiceover lady says, "Just one of nature's little secrets you WILL discover in the British Virgin Islands." I swear, I thought she said, "just one of nature's little secrets you WON'T discover in the British Virgin Islands." The emphasis on the word "will" threw me off a bit! Big difference in the meaning! Ha!

New Newbie

2012-02-06T15:47:00.000-04:00

Local publishing company, aLookingGlass, has just released the second edition of BVI Newbie. You may remember the first edition of this fantastic publication came out about a year after we had moved here...

We still found it very helpful, so we had to pick up the 2012 edition to see what new information it holds. I caught our own little newbie reading it before falling asleep the other day...

One new feature in the 2012 publication is the pull out map in the back. And I love this graphically driven section on what you can expect to find on the roads here:

I have come across ALL of these "vehicles" and hazards at one time or another. Even Sir Richard Branson's controversial lemurs made the Newbie guide!

The publication also addresses something I know I get questioned about all the time - the cost of groceries!

This list is pretty accurate. Last night Michael went to the grocery store to get a few items I forgot on our last shopping trip and sure enough the bottle of wine ($7.00) was one of the least expensive items. It was less than the milk he bought, and cheaper than the detergent!

Saturday's Sunset

2012-02-04T23:57:00.000-04:00

One of the things I missed most about the BVI was the beautiful sunset here... This is the view from our balcony.

It was so quiet in the channel when Michael snapped this photo on Saturday. I'm not sure where all of the boats disappeared to! As I'm writing this, I can count at least a dozen boats in this same space.

The best views are from the west end of the island, where you can see the water swallow the sun. We are determined to witness the sunset from Bananakeet one day. It is a restaurant perched on the western tip of Tortola. I can't believe we've never been!

My "British" Husband

2012-02-02T16:25:00.000-04:00

So, we've been back in the BVI for what - all of two weeks? And already, my Tennessee-born-and-bred husband is speaking British English. While he may not have the accent down, he is throwing around their colloquialisms as if he's is William and Harry's brother from another mother.

In addition to describing everything as "brilliant" and "gorgeous," he is swapping out some common words for their British-English counterparts. Some real-life examples:

"You can go ahead to the car, I'm going to hit the loo before we head home."
(LOO = RESTROOM)

"Our mozzie screens let in a nice breeze, so we don't need the aircon."
(MOZZIE = MOSQUITO)
(AIRCON = AIR CONDITIONER)

"Jonny and I are getting the internet sorted; looks like all we need is a new router."

(SORTED = FIGURED OUT)

(ROUTER = ROUTER, but Michael is saying "roo-ter" like rooster, without the s!)

"We need to see what types of nappies Rite Way is stocking..."
(NAPPY = DIAPER)

I'm sure there are more, but since I speak American English exclusively I am at a loss for other examples! Ha!

BVI Baby Boom

2012-02-01T17:25:00.000-04:00

Michael and I are really fortunate to have returned to the island of Tortola in the middle of a baby boom! Babies are everywhere! There are so many other expats with new babies around the same age as Anna Drake, who just turned three months old!

A friend of mine told me about a play group organized by some expat women. Anna Drake and I have been twice so far. Here she is trying out one of their bumbo seats:

There were dozens of babies and toddlers there!

It was really great to be able to talk with other moms, some new like me and others more experienced. I have a feeling we will soon become "regulars" at play group, especially as Anna Drake becomes more playful herself!

Signage Sunday: The BVI Railroad

2012-01-29T12:42:00.002-04:00

We are slowly but surely getting adjusted to driving in the BVI again. (We drive on the left side of the road here.)

It's much easier to adjust the second time around since everything is so familiar. There is one new red light in town. There are only a handful to begin with, so this addition is significant.

For those familiar with Tortola, this light is at the entrance of Wickhams Cay II, where Deli France, TICO, House and HIHO are located. This is also the entrance to The Moorings.

Anyway, back to the "Signage Sunday" portion of this post...
During our drive back from the pool on Sunday, I noticed a funny bumper sticker on a large truck.

It made me laugh. I'm glad to know this truck stops at ALL railroad crossings (since Tortola doesn't have a railroad!)

Beach Baby

2012-01-21T11:49:00.001-04:00

We spent much of Thursday and Friday running around the island trying to reconnect phones and internet. So far, we're one for two... Still no internet at the house. We're working with our neighbors to find a solution that works for both us!

On Saturday, we were determined to get to the beach! We met our friends, Paloma and Scott, for lunch at Islands on the West End of the island. They too have had a baby recently! We were so excited to meet their bundle of joy, Jude. He is a doll! He and Anna Drake are just a month and a half apart.

After lunch, we lathered Anna Drake in baby-approved SPF 50 lotion and headed to Smuggler's Cove, our favorite beach. She LOVED it. Here are some photos of our beach excursion.

Her yellow swimsuit is too big for her, but the smaller ones haven't arrived on island as of yet. We shipped one box of baby things, and of course, her swimsuits and hats are in that box.

She liked the way the water felt on her legs. We didn't take her all the way in...maybe next time. We want to make sure the water is warm enough.

And the last one...

This will surely be one of MANY baby beach days!

We're Baaaaaaaaack!

2012-01-18T19:12:00.000-04:00

The eyes of the skycaps lit up as we approached the Jet Blue counter Wednesday morning. Count 'em. Five checked bags, two of which weighed more than 50 lbs.

If you look even closer you can see I'm toting our miniature schnauzer, Milly, in the airline-approved pet carrier. Then, of course, there's Anna Drake, nice and protected in her car seat/stroller contraption, complete with paparazzi shade. We brought along her boppy (the pink pillow thingy) and her diaper bag. Just the essentials for a 3 hour flight to San Juan!

Not photographed is another roll-on bag and a sail bag with all of our laptops, iPads and who knows what other gadgets! Oh, and did you spot Michael's Baby Taylor guitar in this BVI version of PhotoHunt? The guitar plays like a regular guitar, but it's small enough to fit in the overhead bin!

While those that worked for the airline and even the TSA were more than happy to help us each step of the way, we were catching some looks of disbelief from our fellow travelers. When I happened to make eye contact, I would give a smile that could be interpreted as "Yes, we're really doing this." We owned it.

Anna Drake did great on the first flight to San Juan. She had her own seat which was great, because she could sleep in her carrier some, then in our arms. The best part? There were no tears! She was so good, Michael and I were able to watch Crazy Stupid Love in flight! (Such a good movie!)

The next leg was a bit trickier, and not just because we were flying with an infant and a dog. It was because of all of the luggage... We fly CapeAir from San Juan to Tortola. The plane is small. (It's a Cessna 402 if that means anything to you.) It's very small. Like 8 seats small. They assign you your seat based on your weight and place the luggage accordingly. Somehow, ALL of our stuff made it!

Once we touched down in Tortola, going through Immigration and Customs was surprisingly a breeze! And we caught a taxi to the house. While friends had offered to pick us up, we knew we would require a huge van to transport us and all of our belongings!

Going to sleep that first night back on island was surreal. The windows were open; the breeze was blowing. We all slept soundly, including Anna Drake!

Coming Soon!

2012-01-04T12:07:00.000-04:00

After a six-month hiatus from both the BVI and blogging, we will be returning to the island in two weeks! I'll resume my regular blogging, but it won't just be a BVI adventure...

In October, Michael and I welcomed into the world a beautiful baby girl, Anna Drake Daniels! We were back in the states for the birth, surrounded by family and friends in Tennessee. Here she is! A week late, she weighed 8 lbs 15 oz and measured 21 inches long!

We love double names, so we are calling her "Anna Drake." If you've sailed the BVI, you may guess what inspired the middle name. That's right, the Sir Francis Drake Channel! We wanted to pay homage to the BVI in some way, recognizing this special time in our lives.

While we've enjoyed our time in the states immensely, I think we are ready to return to island life (or at least the warmer temperatures!)

So, look for some amusing posts as I blog our journey back to Tortola. Can you imagine? We'll be getting on an airplane with not only a three month old baby, but our dog (remember Milly?), and more than 200 lbs of luggage! Are we insane???

Happy New Year!

St. John & Beyond

2011-06-19T17:23:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, we did what any good host and hostess would do...

We personally escorted our guests, Cristall and Will, to their next destination: The Westin on St. John in the USVI. The Harkins were blessed with magnificent weather during their stay. We thoroughly enjoyed the ferry ride out of West End, as did this seagull that soared above the boat most of the way.

When we weren't ducking from the bird overhead, Michael and Cristall took turns posing at the top of the ferry...

The pool at the Westin was the perfect way to spend our Sunday. We had lunch on the beach and recommend the fish tacos and Caribbean pulled pork sandwich to anyone heading there on vacation!

It was hard to say goodbye to Cristall and Will, but it was time for the two of them to explore St. John on their own... So, it was back to Tortola for us, not before getting Mexican food at Margarita Phil's to take back to Tortola! (We can't resist! We go there every time!)

Cristall and Will, we loved having you here! You are welcome back anytime!

Signage Sunday: Bathroom Humor

2011-06-19T13:53:00.000-04:00

This sign hanging in the restroom at the Jolly Roger always gets a laugh from our guests. We took friends, Cristall and Will there on Friday night for lobster and you can thank Will for venturing back into the restroom for this shot!

Virgin Gorda Kind of Day

2011-06-18T16:16:00.000-04:00

Saturday was a perfect day weather-wise for a trip to Virgin Gorda. We caught the 10:30 ferry and headed to the fat island. This was Cristall and Will's first time to experience the Baths and they did not disappoint.

After the hike through the monoliths, grottos and pools, we reached the stunning Devil's Bay. The turquoise water was sparkling especially bright on this Saturday.

Our next stop? Little Dix Bay for lunch and an afternoon swim, make that an afternoon float.

Here, Michael and I are doing our best to relax...

We highly recommend the Baths/Little Dix Bay itinerary for visitors looking for a great day on VG that combines the active hike and swim through the Baths, followed by the yummy lunch buffet at the resort and beach time.

Jolly Good Time!

2011-06-17T15:18:00.002-04:00

On Friday night, we took Cristall and Will to the Jolly Roger so they could enjoy the fresh Anegada Lobster for which the BVI is known. They loved it! Jolly Roger grills lobster during season and serves a yummy seafood pasta as well. It is all delicious!

Our friends, Richard and Louise, met us there too. And thanks to the strong breeze, we stayed cool on the deck.

Here's a photo of the six of us!

There was a live band on Friday night, so we just had to hit the dance floor! I have to admit, my 5-month-pregnant-self felt a little funny out there bustin' a move...ha!

And lastly, here's a great shot of the boys. (And no, they didn't color coordinate their Skittles-inspired shorts!)

Tomorrow we're off to Virgin Gorda!!!

Cristall & Will Arrive in the BVI!

2011-06-16T14:02:00.000-04:00

Our friends from Atlanta caught a one-way flight to St. Thomas and hopped on the ferry to Tortola on Thursday! While this wasn't Cristall and Will's first trip to the Caribbean it was their first visit to the BVI.

Their journey was so quick and easy, until it came time for me to pick them up. I had thoroughly explained the process of hailing a cab from the St. Thomas airport, making sure they specified the correct ferry dock to their cab driver (Charlotte Amalie, if you're wondering) . I also offered an in-depth explanation of the immigration and customs process once they arrived in the BVI and strongly advised that they make every attempt to sit near the exit of the boat, so they could be first in line...something our friends Ashley and Gordon learned the hard way after a 50 minute wait when they arrived here back in February.

Well, Cristall and Will followed my directions to perfection. I, however, was too busy snapping photos of their ferry and got confused. They must have slipped off of the boat without me noticing!

I watched as all of the other passgengers disembarked, hoping to spot them. After everyone was off the boat, I called Michael to let him know that Cristall and Will hadn't made the ferry. I reread Will's email and he clearly wrote that they were on the 3:30 boat! So where were they? Why hadn't I seen them? I headed back to the car to wait for Michael. Maybe there were two ferries and they were on the second boat...

Unbeknownst to me, Cristall and Will breezed through immigration and customs. But when they emerged, no one was there to greet them!

It wasn't until Michael showed up 10 minutes later that he spotted the lost tourists standing at the other end of the parking lot. I felt so horrible!!! The good thing is, this rocky start to their vacation was not indicative of how their BVI adventure would go! Barfly, Smuggler's Cove, Jolly Roger, The Baths, Little Dix Bay, St. John...we packed it in over the long weekend!

My BVI Birthday

2011-06-11T10:10:00.001-04:00

Turning 32 was a lot easier thanks to the love and top-secret planning by Michael and dear friends, Richard and Louise. Michael threw me off by taking me to the Peter Island Ferry Dock on Tortola. (This is where he took me last year...) While waiting on the dock, Michael snapped this side photo of me...this is what 22 weeks pregnant looks like I guess!

But the Peter Island ferry never came. Instead, our friends Richard and Louise pulled up in their boat, Lady Sol! What a fun surprise! Off we went for Cooper Island; here's the crew!

Before we enjoyed a yummy lunch at Cooper Island's Beach Bar & Restaurant, they had me open my birthday presents. I was completely blown away...Louise and Richard gave me the most beautiful teardrop earrings (see below). They're made of the Caribbean semi-precious stone, larimar. Gorgeous!

And if you notice what I'm holding in my hands, an iPad2! Michael teamed up with my parents and in-laws to surprise me with it! He had me completely fooled... He had been keeping me out of the guest bedroom all week, even closing the curtains so I couldn't see in the room from the porch. Since he led me to believe the gift was large in physical scale, I didn't think there was any way he'd be able to transport it to Cooper Island. He's so sneaky!!!

After lunch we enjoyed a nice swim and snorkel off of Cooper Island. Louise and Richard then dropped us off at Peter Island to spend the rest of the evening. It was a perfect birthday! So grateful to have such loving family and friends!!!

New Ferry: Scrubbed

2011-05-21T21:37:00.000-04:00

Scrub Island's brand new ferry - that Caty, Matt and I had just ridden days before - ended up on the rocks yesterday.

Our friend Vanessa shared this photo on Marina Cay's Facebook page. (You should like Marina Cay on FB, if you haven't already, by the way!)

I remember thinking that our ferry captain cut it a little close to these rocks on our most recent journey, but figured they knew what they were doing... Makes me nervous to think about it. I found this story about the incident on BVI News. Thank goodness the injuries to the passengers and captain on board were only minor.

Cistern's Full Clark!

2011-05-21T18:00:00.000-04:00

After a week full of rain, I sure am ready to see the sunshine!

While they were pockets of sunshine, the BVI was pretty much a soggy mess all week long. Don't believe me? See what the guys over at On-St John did to "capture" the story...

As far as the cistern is concerned, we're pretty confident we have enough rain water to hold us over for awhile. There was a concern earlier in the week over a "ribbit" sound we heard echoing from the corner of the living room, where the lid to the cistern is. We looked inside but didn't see anything. Maybe he hopped out on his own??? Let's hope!

Our Baby Adventure!

2011-05-20T11:05:00.000-04:00

We have some exciting news to share with Our BVI Adventure readers... Michael and I are expecting a baby! My due date is October 20th, which we just had to write in the sand in true BVI fashion.

I have a wonderful doctor here on the island. A lot of people have asked me about the level of care available here, and so far my prenatal care has been more than adequate. However, for the birth of the baby, my doctor has advised me that we should go to either the primary labor and delivery hospital in San Juan or a hospital in the United States, if insurance allows. Michael was disappointed; he thought we could do a water birth at Smuggler's Cove. (Kidding!) More seriously, there is a large community of expat women on Tortola who've followed a similar track with their pregnancies, which I find especially comforting.

Michael and I couldn't be more excited. We're thrilled, actually! We were able to share the news in person with my sister when she visited a few months ago. She was shocked, but extremely receptive to becoming an aunt. She will be the world's greatest, no doubt! We told the other family members via Skype, which was also a lot of fun!

I hope this news explains my sporadic blogging over the last few months. Now that I'm through the first trimester, I am returning to my regular posting schedule (if you can even call it that!) While this blog will remain a blog about our BVI adventures, I can't promise that a few baby adventure posts won't creep in. Just rest assured that I won't be posting any baby bump photos that resemble this one! :)

Small World Gets Even Smaller

2011-05-15T10:46:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately the rain during Caty and Matt's visit kept us off the beach for a few days, but that's the perfect reason to head to St. John for a little retail therapy. Who needs sunny skies when you've got boutiques that take American Express? :) We also stopped in the local pub, St. John's Brewers - a must if you like hoppy beers and flavors like mango and coriander mixed with citrus.

The delicious Mexican Food at Margarita Phil's and the great finds at St. John Editions however weren't the highlight of this day...

Michael ran into a fraternity brother from his days at the University of Tennessee! Shane and his girlfriend Anna, who live in Nashville, were staying on St. John for a fun-filled week of limin' and scuba diving.

What a small world! These guys hadn't seen eachother in at least four years!

Rockin' Out on JVD

2011-05-14T10:18:00.001-04:00

On Saturday we hopped on a boat from King Charters and headed for Jost van Dyke. Matt and Caty hadn't been to the bubbly pool before, so we knew that had to be our first stop. One of the cool features of the bubbly pool is the man-made rock formations placed all around the pool. Check out this gravity defying feature!

The waves were huge as they crashed over the rocks and filled the pool with bubbles that would make your finest bottle of Veuve Clicquot jealous. Matt posed for this action shot, just before be swept away. Take a deep breath!

The water was refreshing and once again, the bubbly pool did not disappoint!

Fun fun! After a nice lunch at Foxy's Taboo we headed for Soggy Dollar Bar on White Bay.

Caty and Matt Arrive!

2011-05-13T09:59:00.000-04:00

We were so excited to welcome back Catharyn and Matt for their second visit! (Technically, this is their third BVI adventure, since they honeymooned here months before we moved to Tortola!) They were happy to be back, and if you're wondering about what's in Matt's right hand...

Caty and Matt brought us a radiator for our car! Yep, we bought it online and shipped it to their house in Tennessee. They packed it up and checked it as a piece of luggage! It was definitely the quickest and most cost effective way to get the needed car part to the BVI. :) They simply declared it on their customs form. Thanks y'all!

We have a lot on tap for their trip, including a trip to Jost van Dyke! First stop, the bubbly pool!

Signage Sunday: Rodent Dessert, Anyone?

2011-05-01T19:45:00.000-04:00

We were having a nice lunch at Le Grand Cafe the other day and my eyes kept being drawn to the mirrored display on the wall, where the desserts were listed...not necessarily because I have a sweet tooth, but rather the misspelling of one particular chocolate treat.

Do you see it? Here's a closer look:

There it is! Chocolate mouse cake... Better than red velvet rat cake I suppose. :)

Da Tree Men No More...

2011-04-17T19:45:00.027-04:00

We had a "last supper" of sorts on Sunday night. (I hate these - they don't get any easier!) This time we were saying good-by to Da Tree Men's lead singer, Adam. He's moving back to Miami.

Adam was the first friend we made on Tortola. I remember that hot December night when Michael and I arrived on Tortola. We dropped our things off at the house and went into town for dinner. Adam, who Michael had met at work during his first two weeks down here, texted and invited us to meet for a drink.

It's funny to think back on that night... We knew so little about eachother, but the commonality was this: We had just left all things familiar and found ourselves navigating this island none of us knew all that much about!

Adam started Da Tree Men and definitely left his mark on the music scene in the BVI with the creation of bvimusic.com and the dozen or so songs about the BVI. It's amazing how far they've come since their first paid gig at The Elm. In just a few short months, they ended up playing for Sir Richard Branson on his private island! With Adam's departure, the band is no more...

Well, I suppose there's still hope for some sort of reunion tour.

Do you have a favorite Da Tree Men song? Mine is a tie...Virgin Gorda and Bushwhacker. Of course, who can forget Cane Garden Bay and Jost van Dyke?

Cheers Adam! All the best in your post-BVI adventures!

Marina Cay & a Water Shortage

2011-04-07T09:14:00.001-04:00

As we arrived in London and headed for Oxford, my parents woke up to a beautiful day in the BVI. Even though they hit the town the night before, with dinner at BarFly and the sounds of Da Tree Men (minus Michael) at The Elm in Cane Garden Bay, they were no worse for the wear and headed for a day on Marina Cay. And a beautiful one it was!

Little did my parents know what awaited them back at the house...an empty cistern. Thus began their true BVI adventure! Our neighbors Jonathan and Danielle had lived through their own water scare a few months prior and were able to assist.

The next day, a water truck found its way up Kingston Hill and its hose found its way through our house and into the cistern. Ten thousand gallons of water and $650 later, the cistern was full...but that doesn't necessarily mean the water was flowing! At least not yet.

Because the pump had continued to run until the discovery of the empty cistern, there had been some damage to the pipes. What to do now? My oh-so-resourceful parents remembered that our friend Tony who lives in our old house just down the hill is not only handy, but has experience with the mechanics of pumps and such. Within a few hours, Tony had the water running at Gecko Manor II!

He was most definitely the hero of this BVI adventure!

St. Thomas

2011-04-06T20:54:00.000-04:00

My parents accompanied us to St. Thomas on Wednesday. After a quick lunch, we parted ways and headed for the airport to catch our flight to JFK and then onto LHR.

My parents stayed for an afternoon of sightseeing. Here they are along the waterfront:

They were even able to snap a photo of our airplane as we headed north!

My Parent's Arrive!

2011-04-06T09:09:00.000-04:00

My parent's arrived on Monday afternoon! They'll be here for 10 days. They're actually going to be house-sitting and looking after Milly while Michael and I travel to England! Our friends Louise and Richard are getting married!

We've been telling people for months that we're going to London for a "special wedding in April" and you wouldn't believe the looks we get from people who think we mean the ROYAL wedding! We think Louise and Richard are right up there with Kate and Prince William!

It turns out we'll miss the royal wedding by two weeks, but we're hoping to see the preparations!

So, if you'll bear with us, Our BVI Adventure will be Our UK Adventure for the next week! We'll be sure to post what my parents have been up to as well... This will be their first time navigating the island of Tortola on their own!

Off to St. Thomas to catch our flight!

Noisy Neighbors

2011-03-30T17:23:00.001-04:00

The other day while I was working from home, I heard the cries of goats. Milly, our miniature schnauzer, went crazy! She was barking non-stop which caused the goats to run up our hill!

A few were seperated from the pack and when I walked out my front door, I found them lurking on our patio! Not sure who was more startled!

Just another BVI day! And after our nearly sleepless night a few months ago, we were glad to have the goats appear in the daylight!

SHARK!

2011-03-17T08:14:00.000-04:00

On Whitney's final afternoon in the BVI, we went down to Cane Garden Bay to soak up a little sun. Little did we know, we would see our first ever shark!!! Fishermen were drawing attention from cruise ship tourists as they were bringing in their catch for the day.

It was an ideal BVI photo opp, until we heard the words "Shark! Shark!" Sure enough, a small Caribbean reef shark was caught in the fishermens' net!

I've been swimming and snorkeling at beaches all along Tortola's north side and I've never seen a shark... But sure enough, that's exactly what these fishermen had found!

Here's a better look:

Yikes!

Cakewalk!

2011-03-12T20:45:00.001-04:00

During our boating trip we spotted the most amazing yacht! Other than the Russian-owned "A", this boat may be the largest one we've seen in the BVI.

Just off of Norman Island, Cakewalk, measuring more than 280 feet, caught our attention. We looked it up online and it's the largest yacht built in the US in the last thirty years. It can accommodate 14 guests comfortably with seven cabins and six different decks.

Check out this close up shot of "the garage" (I think it's called a bay on a yacht, but looked like one decked out garage to us!) The crew was getting ready to take some of Cakewalk's passengers to shore via this smaller boat.

I also read that Cakewalk has a large library on board complete with fireplace and grand piano, plus a jacuzzi tub, and helicopter pad. WOW! It must have been here in the BVI for the Superyacht Regatta and Rendevous.

JVD, SDB, and the WT

2011-03-12T20:08:00.000-04:00

We wasted no time and headed out on the boat on Saturday. Our neighbors and new friends, Jonathan and Danielle had company visiting as well, so we had a nice big group. It was a day of acronyms...

Our first stop was JVD (Jost van Dyke) and the bubbly pool. You may remember our first trip here was just a few weeks ago with Ashley and Gordon. And we thought the pool was "bubbly" then??? Well, that was nothing! Check out this photo:

The waves were enormous as they came crashing through the rocks and filling the pool with bubbles. The area where we'd previously been able to hold on as the water rushed over us was unrecognizable. The waves just kept on coming.

Our next stop was SGB (Soggy Dollar Bar) in the always beautiful White Bay. The painkillers were delicious, but if painkillers aren't your thing, you need to try a raspberry therapy! Jsut ask "the Oldtimer" for one of these specialities; he's sure to help you out! The raspberry therapy is Whitney's favorite drink here.

{From left, that's Whitney, Michael, yours truly, Rachel, Danielle and Jonathan}

Our last stop of the day? The WT (Willy T's). Whitney snapped this photo of the jumpers as we arrived at the infamous floating bar.

We packed a lot into one day, but a fun BVI day it was!

Whitney's Arrival!

2011-03-11T13:32:00.022-04:00

Still leading the pack with "most visits to the BVI," my sister Whitney made her way to Tortola on Friday for her Spring Break.

In addition to the traditional arrival shot, we snapped a photo of her airplane as it made its descent onto the runway.

Since she's an old pro, she navigated her way through immigration and customs in no time!

A Satirical Look at Water in the BVI

2011-03-10T07:54:00.000-04:00

Living on an island like Tortola means that water is an issue... And by water, I mean the crystal clear stuff that likely flows freely from your nickel finish Kohler faucet, or that the warm soothing stream that sprays from your showerhead.

As I've blogged about before, there are essentially two sources of water: 1) town water provided by the Communications and Works Ministry via the Baugher's Bay desalination plant (pictured below) and 2) cistern water.

At our new house, we have the latter which means we are at the mercy of mother nature. If she rains, our cistern fills up and we have water. If it doesn't rain, we are at risk of using every last drop of our 10,000 gallon tank, which is stored underneath the house.

But not all residents have cisterns; most Road Town residents are completely reliant on the town water, which can be even more frustrating than a couple of weeks with no rain. Town water service is often disrupted for one reason or another.

One local columnist for the BVI Beacon took a closer look at the critical issue and what's being dubbed a "modern-day miracle." This is a must-read, especially if you like satire...

Exit Survey: Shane & Kaley

2011-03-06T23:25:00.000-04:00

Of the five Pusser's locations, which ones did you visit on your trip? (Soper's Hole, Marina Cay, Charlie T's Lobster House, Leverick Bay, Road Town Pub)

Answer(s): Charlie T's Lobster House for delicious lobster & Road Town Pub for our first Roti

True or False. Driving on the left side of the road feels as weird as I thought it would.

Answer(s): Per Shane (as the driver & a man), false. But as the passenger...my eyes were peeled for him to cross over to the right side out of habit. However - in his defense, the stayed left throughout the trip!

Shane not only drove in the BVI, but he drove without either me or Michael in the car, offering friendly reminders about the roundabouts and speed bumps. He and Kaley made their way to the grocery store to get the ingredients for a delicious dinner that they prepared for us!

What was the most bizarre thing you saw on Tortola?

Answer(s): The two hen gang bangs that we were fortunate enough to witness or Charlie Sheen's interview on the Today show...um, WINNER!

Can't believe this guy below didn't make the list for "most bizarre." HA!

Favorite dining experience on the island?

Answer: They were all wonderful, but if I had to pick just one? Barfly...a pork tostada, calamari, olive & mussel spread under the stars! Couldn't be beat!

Which "island drink" will you be craving next week when it's a rainy 52 degrees back in Knoxville?

Answer: And as you predicted, it was 51 degrees and raining today and am definitely craving a Bushwhacker!

Which Da Tree Men original song was your favorite?
a) Bomba Punch
b) Cane Garden Bay
c) Jost van Dyke: Tropical Paradise
d) Bushwhacker
e) Virgin Gorda

Answer(s): Couldn't come to a joint decision on this one...Kaley's favorite is Cane Garden Bay, and Shane's is Bushwhacker.

What surprised you most about life in the BVI?

Answer(s): Most coveted position on the island: Ms. Delta Petroleum! The grocery store chicken counts: 4 breasts / over 20,000 frozen wings available for purchase. And of course the tree growing out of Michael's car!

It was great having Kaley and Shane here. One of our most pleasurable experiences was a late afternoon SUP in Brewer's Bay. Even though it was their first time trying stand-up paddle boarding, Kaley and Shane did great! They never fell, not even once!

How Low Can Da Tree Men Go???

2011-03-02T09:52:00.001-04:00

During their weekly gig at The Elm Beach Bar in Cane Garden Bay, Da Tree Men dropped it down low for a group from Chicago. Dressed in 70's costumes, these people knew how to have a good time! Even our guests Kaley and Shane got in on the fun by holding the limbo stick! Check out the video.

It was such a fun night!

Kaley and Shane Arrive!

2011-02-26T09:07:00.000-04:00

Our friends from Knoxville, Kaley and Shane flew into St. Thomas on Saturday. They planned to take the ferry to Road Town, but when they caught a cab from the St. Thomas airport, it headed for the Red Hook ferry dock instead of the Charlotte Amalie ferry dock.

Fortunately Kaley was able to text me and let me know that they wouldn't be arriving in Road Town at 5pm, but rather at Tortola's West End at 2:30pm. That was fine with us, because we had planned to be on that end of the island during the day anyway.

Instead of picking them up and taking them to the house, we suggest a quick change and a trip to nearby Smuggler's Cove! They were game. Here's Kaley searching her luggage for her swimsuit and cover up in the parking lot!

Getting in the wrong cab turned out to be a great move. They got to Tortola much faster and enjoyed their first BVI beverage on the beach.

Now that's the way to start a vacation!

Caribbean Design Inspiration

2011-02-23T08:19:00.000-04:00

We are slowly but surely decorating our new house, Gecko Manor II. Last week, new draperies went up in the bedrooms and living room. I knew packing my sewing machine and shipping it to the BVI would be a good thing...eventually! Despite collecting dust for a year, it worked just fine. {I'm still trying to find the right time of day to photograph them; with the bright sunshine beaming into the room, it's difficult!}

We moved into the new house in November; the holidays soon followed which meant my decorating focus was the 9 foot fraser fir. But I'm happy to report, we're back at it! Just like this blog, the accents in the living room are a little bright!

And when I am in need of a little design inspiration, I check out the blog of fellow Caribbean dweller, India Hicks. {That's about where our similarities end...I was not a model for Ralph Lauren, nor was I a flower girl in Princess Di's wedding...Ha!}
If you recognize the name, maybe it's because her father was David Hicks, who's described as the most influential interior designer of his generation. What I wouldn't give to get my hands on some of his bright geometric pattern fabric!!!
India and her husband live in the Bahamas. They have four properties for rent there, each one as unique as the next. She's not only a model, a mom and Sugar Mill shop owner, she's the author of Island Life, a book about inspiration interiors of island homes. I think that book would look pretty good on my coffee table. Hmmm...

Soon, I'll have to take you inside the two home stores we have here on Tortola: House and Arawak Interiors. Maybe they have a copy of Island Life. Without these two stores, I'm not sure what I'd do! They not only source furniture and fabrics, they have the best hostess gifts!

Exit Survey: Ashley & Gordon

2011-02-18T16:39:00.001-04:00

Ashley and Gordon enjoyed a nice long weekend in the British Virgin Islands. We were so happy to have them as our first visitors of 2011! (My family was technically here in 2011, but we consider them our last visitors of 2010. Ha!)

Well, here's their exit survey!

Of the five Pusser's locations, which ones did you visit during your BVI adventure? (Road Town, Soper's Hole, Pusser's East, Marina Cay, Leverick Bay)

Answer(s): Road Town & Marina Cay

Approximately how many cruise ships did you see pass by Gecko Manor II?

Answer: Well, we should ask how many times did Milly bark??? A cruise ship wouldn't pass without her letting us know about it!

{Here are Ashley and Gordon on the porch...where we would let Milly bark away at the ships as they passed by!}

How would you best describe the bubbly pool on Jost van Dyke?
A) Boring...
B) Fun!
C) A must see.
D) A little dangerous!
E) None of the above

Answer: Definitely C) a must see. But watch out for the machineel trees!

What was your most memorable meal in the BVI?

Answer: The Anegada Lobster (whether grilled, on a pizza, or on top of pasta)

In the battle of the island drinks on White Bay, who wins the match-up: Soggy Dollar Bar Painkiller vs. Jewel's Party Punch?

Answer: Jewel's Party Punch

Of all the islands you visited, which one was your favorite? (Sandy Cay, Jost van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Great Camanoe, Marina Cay, Norman Island, Cooper Island, or Tortola)

Answer: Sandy Cay

True or False. The girls dominated the board games the entire weekend.

Answer: Gordon says "We'll let them think they did..."

What advice would you give to any travelers who fly into St. Thomas and take the ferry over to Tortola?

Answer: Make sure you move toward the exit of the boat as the boat docks. This way you will be at the front of the line when departing the ferry. Otherwise, grab a few drinks for the 1+ hour wait at Customs.

Great survey Glovers! Michael and I loved having y'all here! One of my favorite days of their trip was the excursion to Virgin Gorda.

We enjoyed a decadent lunch at Little Dix Bay, then explored the Baths...

We couldn't have asked for better weather! They're surely taking some nice sun tans home with them! Love y'all!!!

Whale of a Tale!

2011-02-18T12:11:00.000-04:00

We have yet to see one with our own eyes, but we've heard the tales of whales (yes, whales as in Free Willy) splashing about in our Caribbean waters.

On Tuesday, one such whale was spotted and better yet, photographed by the first mate on a local charter boat. The photographer's name is Joe Zachary.

Check it out!

That's Jost van Dyke in the background, where we spent our Saturday. Unfortunately, we didn't see any whales... But when that day comes, you can bet I'll have my camera ready!

The only similar spotting we've had is a few dolphins off of White Bay on Jost van Dyke. This photo was taken about a year ago...

Thanks to IslandGirl over on StThomasblog.com for sharing this whale of a tale!

Morning Rainbow

2011-02-18T08:23:00.000-04:00

We had hard rain on Tortola overnight.

And with our metal roof, the loud sound of the downpour was enough to wake us from our slumber. Combined with the bright light from the nearly full moon, it was hard to go back to sleep!

But getting out of bed this morning was easy, because this is what we saw right outside our window:

Here's another shot:

The water in the channel is extremely still, which is very different from the last several weeks.

Another benefit from the rain? Our cistern is likely about to overflow! Stored beneath our house, it holds 10,000 gallons of water which we use for everything around here (well, except drinking water!)

For a home this size, the cistern is pretty large, holding more water than the two of us would ever need in a month. The estimated use for one person is 2,000 gallons per month. Oh, that reminds me...I should go start the dishwasher!

B.V. Eye Candy

2011-02-17T09:06:00.000-04:00

Some of the most beautiful photographs taken of the BVI are by none other than "Island Jim" - the producer of OnlineBVI.tv that I've blogged about in the past.

He regularly posts still photographs on his Facebook page, like this one from Cane Garden Bay at sunset:

If you're a faithful reader of Our BVI Adventure and want a little more BVI in your life, definitely become a fan of his Facebook page. This next photo is my absolute favorite:

Just gorgeous!

Banner Night!

2011-02-16T09:46:00.000-04:00

A new shiny banner provided the perfect backdrop for Da Tree Men's gig at The Elm on Wednesday night.

They played one of their newer cover songs or "an orignal by somebody else," as Pier likes to say into the mic. It's called Kingston Town and it was written and recorded by UB40. I really like the melody and Pier's voice fits it perfectly.

Kingston Town

The night seems to fade,
But the moonlight lingers on
There are wonders for everyone...woo ho
The stars shine so bright,
But they're fading after dawn
There is magic in Kingston Town

(chorus)
Oh Kingston Town,
The place I long to be
If I had the whole world
I would give it away
Just to see the girls at play

When I am king,
Surely I would need a queen
And a palace and everything, yeah yeah
And now, I am king,
And my queen will come at dawn
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town

(repeat chorus)
Oh Kingston Town,
The place I long to be
If I had the whole world
I would give it away
Just to see the girls at play, yeahhhh

When I am king,
Surely I would need a queen
And a palace and everything, yeah yeah
And now I am king,
And my queen will come at dawn
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town

She'll be waiting in Kingston Town, by now
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town, oh ya
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town, oh ya

Snorkeling Sunday!

2011-02-13T08:34:00.000-04:00

We headed back out on the water Sunday, this time just across the Sir Francis Drake Channel to the Indians.

This is one of our favorite snorkeling spots and it did not disappoint!

There were so many Parrot Fish, but they were a little camera shy...

We also scored a mooring just off of Norman Island and explored the caves there. Very very cool.

After stopping off at Cooper Island for a lunch that consisted of mahi mahi sandwiches and chicken rotis, we headed for Marina Cay and Great Camanoe to visit with the Shands. Here's our group at the iconic red phone booth:

We had the best day, and even saw a flying eagle ray on our way back to Nanny Cay!

The Bubbly Pool

2011-02-12T09:26:00.001-04:00

Saturday was a day full of firsts for us! We rented a boat from King Charters, instead of our usual Contender from Island Time. We got the keys, fired up the engines and headed for Jost Van Dyke.

We stopped off at Sandy Cay for a swim and walk on the nearly deserted beach.

For lunch, we headed to Foxy's Taboo. We had never tried it before, so it was great taking Ashley and Gordon somewhere new! Our grouper sandwiches were delicious and Michael had the signature Taboo salad which was very refreshing.

After lunch we took our cocktail menu which had a map to the bubbly pool on Jost van Dyke and set out on a 15 minute hike.

The bubbly pool was amazing! We took turns swimming up to the opening of the pool, slipping our fingers into the grooves of the rocks and holding on for dear life, as a huge wave came crashing over the rocks and into the pool.

We highly recommend this little excursion to anyone looking for some adventure! Just ask the bartender at Foxy's Taboo for the map (and make sure to return it when you get back!)

Oh, and one last word of caution - watch out for the poisonous trees on your hike to the bubbly pool. There are warnings of these trees painted on rocks throughout the hike. These machineel trees can cause serious harm to your eyes and skin, especially if standing under one during the rain. Yikes!

Fortunately, we avoided the trees and had a safe trip there and back! Now if only we'd brought a bottle of bubbly to enjoy at the bubbly pool...maybe next time!

Ashley and Gordon Arrive!

2011-02-11T08:58:00.002-04:00

Our dear friends Ashley and Gordon arrived in the BVI on Friday afternoon! You may notice that the background in this photo taken upon arrival, doesn't look like the others...

That's because Ashley and Gordon flew into St. Thomas and took the ferry over! So, instead of picking them up at the airport, we retrieved them in Road Town!

Some advice if you'll be traveling this way... Make sure to find out from the boat captain on which side of the boat you'll be exiting once you arrive. Ashley and Gordon weren't the last ones to get off of the boat, but they weren't the first either. SO, they had to wait in a very long line as the one Customs agent on duty looked at everyone's paperwork.

Ashley said when she got up there she couldn't believe there was only one agent and that he was flipping through the paper's classified ads as he was doing his job. Welcome to the BVI Ash! {We weren't that suprised when she shared that little tidbit!} Remember to pack not only the sunscreen, but patience when traveling here! Ha!

We have a lot of fun things to fit into their long weekend! More posts coming soon!

Are you "bless" too?

2011-02-11T08:38:00.000-04:00

Who knew MacGyver a) lives in the BVI and b) drives a converted Mistubishi truck? Well, Adam found him driving in Road Town just yesterday!

Oh, and just so you know, MacGyver is "not lucky, he's bless."

Super Stealth Yacht

2011-02-10T22:55:00.000-04:00

Did you spot the mega yacht "A" in the KIA commercial that debuted during the Super Bowl on Sunday night?

It doesn't look like the commercial was shot in the British Virgin Islands, but the yacht is most definitely the same one that we spotted in the BVI just a few weeks ago!

Off the Rock

2011-02-09T11:58:00.001-04:00

Michael and I got off the rock this past weekend. While it was hard to leave THIS:

It was completely worth it! The purpose of the trip was to surprise my grandmother for her 90th birthday! She was surprised, and not just by my appearance... Her three children, six of her seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild all surprised her with a birthday party! What fun!

It was a cold weekend in Memphis, especially for me! I think my blood has thinned after a year in the BVI We even got some of the white stuff!

{Can you tell I was excited? Ha! And yes, I realize that I look a little ridiculous with a tan in the snow!}

Huge thanks to my sister for keeping my travel plans a secret, my Aunt Karen and Uncle Max for their hospitality, Brian and Beth for allowing me to stay at their home even while they were out of town, and lastly my in-laws for mailing some winter clothes to Memphis for me! I had nothing - no coat, no sweater, no scarf! Ha!

On Shaky Ground

2011-02-02T13:08:00.001-04:00

"Did you feel it?" That question is being asked by people all around Tortola and its sister islands today.

Apparently, an earthquake hit around 8:40 a.m. The earthquake measured a magnitude of 5.4 on the Richter Scale, but it was far enough away that no damage was reported. I didn't even feel it! Michael was already at his office in Road Town; he said he didn't feel it either.

Pusser's in the WSJ TODAY!

2011-02-01T21:10:00.001-04:00

Did you see it? The Wall Street Journal did a story about the "ulitimate webcation" and featured Pusser's many webcams scattered throughout the BVI!

Michael made contact with the reporter, Ralph Gardner, back in December when he pitched him a story about Pusser's rum cake. The reporter was responsive to the pitch, but wanted to first focus on the webcams and the mini-escapes they provide Caribbean enthusiasts who find themselves snowed in up north somewhere!

Michael set up an interview for him with Charles Tobias (founder of Pusser's). The two got along splendidly; both share a sense of humor. At one point in the article, the writer compares Charles to John Wayne and recounts a particular coversation he overheard during one of his follow-up interviews...that conversation was between Charles and Pusser's "tech guy" which happens to be none other than Pier, Da Tree Men's basist! Ha! I imagine the last place he thought he'd end up today was in a Wall Street Journal article.

I have to give major props to Michael for making this happen! Gardner says a story on the rum cake will eventually follow. Two-for-one possibly! Now, who wants rum cake? I suddenly have a craving!

"The Kid"

2011-01-29T10:00:00.001-04:00

There's a large grassy field on Beef Island where a herd of goats can always be found. Their coats are a shiny black and tan. On Saturday the herd made its way to the parking lot. One of the kids got away from the others...bless his little heart! Listen for his little "baah."

Le Grand Cafe!

2011-01-27T09:49:00.001-04:00

There's a new old restaurant in Road Town. Formerly Le Cabanon, Le Grand Cafe recently changed its name, menu, etc... While it's still a hot night spot, with live music and/or dj, the lunch and dinner crowds have evolved.

Michael and I met there on Thursday and were delighted with the choices on their lunch menu. Everything looked delicious as the plates passed by our table, from the mussels to the croque monsieur. Michael went with the beef carpaccio and I had the tomato, goat cheese and basil panini.

Both were yummy!

We highly recommend Le Grand Cafe for a lunch-time treat. We had dinner there a few weeks back and it too was delectable. Anegada lobster bisque to die for! Bon appetit!

BVI Newbie: The Guide

2011-01-24T14:15:00.000-04:00

BVI Newbie, the guide for new residents and visitors just hit newstands this week.

This 83-page book is full of great information for "newbies" like us and it's presented in an entertaining, (dare I say cheeky?) sort of way. Don't you just love the mascot???

From sections on the immigration & work permit process and finding a home, to healthcare and tropical weather warnings, BVI Newbie pretty much covers it all!

And no worries, if you find yourself thousands of miles away from the nearest BVI business which currently has stacks and stacks of these colorful little books, you can read it online right HERE!

All I have to say is, "Where was this a year ago when we were moving to the BVI?" Ha!

The Cure for the Common Cold: Wakeboarding

2011-01-23T20:17:00.000-04:00

So after nearly two weeks of sniffling and sneezing, coughing and wheezing, Michael and I ventured out for a day on the water. It was exactly what we needed to get over this sickness that's been ailing us lately.

Michael wasn't sure he was going to feel like wakeboarding, but once we were out there, he got right up. He even attempted to "high-five" a mooring ball with the board. (Look for it about 40 seconds in...)

Louise and I went for a swim while the guys took another round on the wakeboard. This is James catching some air:

And Graham with a hand grab:

We ended with lunch on Cooper Island, which was delightful as always. Thanks to Louise and Richard for another great day on the water! A day in the sun and saltwater was definitely the best way to get rid of the cold that wouldn't go away!

Stealth Yacht

2011-01-20T10:27:00.001-04:00

This unusual yacht can be seen moving about the British Virgin Islands this week. I remember seeing it last year. The stories about the yacht swirled over dinner... "I heard a Russian billionaire gave the yacht to his super model wife as a wedding present." "No, I heard they're not married, but he did name the boat after her." "Yeah, it's just her initial 'e' so no one knows who it is." There is some truth in all of these tales...

Maybe you already know all about this yacht from reading an article in the Wall Street Journal a few months ago. Oh, to be reporter Robert Frank on that assignment!

{photo credit: Todd VanSickle, BVI Beacon}

Andrey Melnichenko - the owner of the yacht with the single letter name "A" - is a Russian billionaire. A few fun facts about the yacht:

- 394 feet long

- 3 pools on board

- A rotating bed in the 2,500+ square foot master suite

- 44 security cameras

- Wallpaper made from stingray hides (yikes!)

- 35 member crew

- $300 million price tag

And would you believe that Melnichenko is about to have the second largest Russian yacht? He will be de-throned when Roman Abramovich's 540-foot yacht named Eclipse hits the water soon. We'll be sure to snap a photo when the Eclipse glides through the Sir Francis Drake Channel!

Signage Sunday: It's all in the wraist!

2011-01-16T22:58:00.002-04:00

The next full moon party is coming up on Wednesday, so this post is quite timely... This sign is leaning on the infamous Bomba Shack, where one of the two major full moon parties is held.

Other than the extraneous "a", this sign is helpful and informative. (Can't say the same for the "take pictures" sign to the left. What???) Bomba Shack is known for its tea and during full moon parties, $50 gets you a band to wear on your "wraist" so the guy brewing the tea will fill up your Bomba Shack mug with the mushroom concoction as many times as you'd like!

Playing the Part of Tourist

2011-01-11T17:02:00.000-04:00

It's amazing to me how drastically the weather changes around here...

For the most of December, and even into the first week of January, the waves on the north side of the island were consistently BIG. Remember the video from Smuggler's Cove??? When we were "body surfing"???

Well, imagine our surprise when we went to Smuggler's over the weekend and saw this:

It was so calm you could SUP! I went out in the water to get a closer shot, when Michael and I were approached by a tourist who asked if she could take our picture.

I wasn't really up for explaining the story about living here, why we came, how we like it, etc...so I said "Sure! Where y'all from?" She said "New York. And whatta bout yous guys?" We said "Tennessee. Thanks for the picture!"

Part of me felt badly for misleading her, but figured I offer to take photos of other people all the time, it was just some good karma coming back our way...

Haunted House

2011-01-08T12:08:00.000-04:00

Now that all of our company is gone, the house is quiet. Eerily quiet.

Just the other night Michael and I were sitting on the couch watching a bowl game (or some other nonsense) when we heard the sound of shuffling feet. It sounded like it was coming from upstairs...

But when we went upstairs to check it out, the sound was coming from downstairs. Confused, we turned on all of the lights hoping to catch a glimpse of who or what was making this noise.

Nothing. We didn't see anyone or anything. Could it be...a ghost???

We tried to go to sleep, but then we heard it again. Milly heard it too and started to bark - the shuffling feet sounds were getting louder. This time the motion sensor light in our driveway came on. Michael went to the window at the top of the stairs, but didn't see anything. He double-checked all of the locks and tried (unsuccessfully) to go back to sleep.

We tossed and turned all night, waiting for the next creepy sound. We may have slept a total of five hours combined, before morning came.

The next night as we were locking up the house, we heard the sounds of shuffling feet again. Michael ran outside and there was our mysterious ghost! Face to face, the two stood there in the driveway. Michael yelled for me to grab the camera...we needed photographic evidence! But by the time I got there, the ghost was gone.

I asked Michael, "WHAT WAS IT!?!?"
His reply: "Our ghost is a GOAT!!!!"

I couldn't believe it. We lost a precious night's sleep because of a goat!?!? We have seen our fair share of free-roaming goats on Tortola...it makes sense looking back on it. What fools are we?

If there's something strange in your neighborhood...who you gonna call? GOAT busters!

Exit Surveys: Mom, Dad & Whitney!

2011-01-06T21:58:00.000-04:00

Michael and I were so fortunate to spend time with both of our families this Christmas. Here's what my family had to say about their BVI adventure!

What was your favorite beach day and why?

Mom: Trunk Bay with Milly digging for gold.

Dad: Probably Smuggler's Cove, the second time when the crowd was smaller, but Jost van Dyke (aka Dick van Dyke, in American) was a close 2nd.

Whitney: I'll always love Smuggler's Cove the best, but this time I'll have to say the beautiful Trunk Bay, since it was new to me.

{Trunk Bay - we were the only ones there!}

Which of the following best describes the roads on Tortola?

A) Smooth as silk...

B) Steeper than I remember.

C) Potholes, potholes and more potholes!

D) More speed bumps that one can count!

E) None of the above.

Mom: B) Steeper than I remembered, especially on the way to and from Cane Garden Bay!

Dad: All of the above, except A & E. And "scary" is the best adjective.

Whitney: Definitely D! Every ride is a bumpy one!

We attended a total of "tree" Da Tree Men gigs during your visit. What song did you find yourself humming afterward? Or singing in the shower the next day?

Mom: Jingle Bell Rock, because the Bell Lady did a fantastic job!

Dad: "She wants a Bushwhacker, Bushwhacker, Bushwhacker..."

Whitney: Bushwhacker

And here Whitney is having one the very next day! "She likes the coconut cream, and the coffee liquor..."

How do the accommodations at Gecko Manor II compare to the old house?

Mom: I love Gecko Manor II for the beautiful kitchen, view, feeling of space and bedrooms upstairs.

Dad: Much better, good hot water all the time, spacious rooms and brand new!

Whitney: Sooo much better! Cooler, more space, more privacy, huge kitchen!

Matouk's hot sauce. Take it or leave it?

Mom: LEAVE IT! I don't get it. Why would you put something on your food to burn your mouth?

Dad: Take it in a BIG way. I only bought two bottles, but it's a great new taste for me.

Whitney: Didn't try it.

Which Pusser's locations did you visit on your trip? (Road Town Pub, Pusser's East, Soper's Hole, Marina Cay, Leverick Bay)

Mom: Road Town, Soper's Hole, Pusser's East and Marina Cay. Marina Cay is my favorite of all the Pusser's because I am a romantic and I love the story of the young couple coming there so long ago, the unique location and the fact that you have to take a boat to get there!

Dad: We ate at Pusser's East and Road Town Pub (see photo below) and visited the stores at Soper's Hole and Marina Cay. I also liked the bar and live music on Marina Cay.

Whitney: None - it's a first! (I did pop into the store at Road Town though.)

What was the most bizarre thing you saw while vacationing in the BVI?

Mom: The brown pelican sitting on the red phone booth while we were getting our photo taken on Marina Cay.

Dad: Has to be the "Christmas House" covered with lights, blow-up Santas, and movies playing on the concrete wall in the driveway.

Whitney: Hmmm... I'm used to the roaming farm animals and the crazy driving, so probably the typo on the billboard where the beauty queen exclaims, "Blah, blah, blah..." :)

We had such a great visit! One of my favorite days was the afternoon on Jost van Dyke, and the New Year's Eve party at the Last Resort, oh and the yummy lobster dinner at Jolly Roger, and the relaxing day on Scrub Island... I could go on and on!

Saying goodbye is never easy, but staring down a company-free January, it was especially hard...even Milly was upset to see her relatives go.

Mailbag

2011-01-05T16:01:00.000-04:00

A few things that you may not know about the BVI...

There are no mailboxes at the end of the driveways here...no mailmen driving little trucks around the island delivering mail...no house numbers...and very few marked street names!

So, how do we get our mail? Well, as you can see in the photo below, it's through Michael's company's P.O. Box.

I was delighted when he came home from work yesterday with a huge stack of Christmas cards! We had received a few before Christmas, but I was afraid we'd been crossed off most of our friends' Christmas card lists this year. :( I loved opening them all. Almost all of them featured beautiful photos of our friends, their children, pets, wedding, vacations, etc.. Thanks everyone!

Oh, and another unrelated side effect of not having a home address? "It's not delivery, it's Digiorno." There is no such thing as pizza delivery on the island. So next time you pick up the phone to call Domino's, think of us! There are times we wish we had that little luxury!

The Queen Honours Two BVI Residents

2011-01-04T10:09:00.000-04:00

And if you're an avid reader of Our BVI Adventure, then you have been introduced to both of them!

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II recognized the founder of Pusser's Rum, Charles Tobias as a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his contributions to the British Royal Navy and the community in the BVI. And fellow BVI resident and friend, Lorna Smith was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to the government of the British Virgin Islands!

What an honor for both of them! Congratulations!!! If interested, check out complete list of honorees, that includes Annie Lennox and Steve McQueen.

Exit Survey: Sharon & Dennis

2011-01-02T12:50:00.001-04:00

Our apologies...
This exit survey is somewhat delayed. With the craziness of Christmas and the back-to-back house guests, this post has been sitting in the drafts folder for more than a week!

We had such a great time with Sharon and Dennis and we're so grateful that their trip could be extended due to Mother Nature! Not only were we able to share Christmas together, but Michael's parents celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary while in the BVI...Happy Anniversary you two! {Thanks to the staff at Charlie's at the Moorings who made it so special! Dinner was delicious!}

Onto the exit survey!

Which Pusser's locations did you visit on your trip?

(Road Town Pub, Leverick Bay, Pusser's East, Marina Cay, Soper's Hole)

Answer(s): We visited Pusser’s East, Marina Cay and Road Town Pub. The lobster was out of this world at Marina Cay!

Here's photographic evidence:

Approximately how many cruise ships did you see pass by Gecko Manor II?

Answer: I believe there were approximately 18 cruise ships and a few awesome sail boats!!

How do the accommodations at Gecko Manor II compare to the old house?

Answer: OMG!! A HUGE DIFFERENCE! We actually felt like we were in the states.

What is your favorite song that Da Tree Men performed?

Answer: Hey Jude! They rocked the night we saw them perform – all their music was great, but Hey Jude was the best!!

Which of the following would you recommend to holiday travelers going through security at the airport?

A) Pack a lot of patience!

B) Smile and greet all TSA agents with "Merry Christmas!"

C) Break into a cold sweat and faint.

D) All of the above

E) None of the above

Answer: Breaking out into a cold sweat and fainting really does get you through the line faster, but then you have to deal with the EMTs who will discourage you from flying.

(Bless his heart! Dennis got off to a rough start in the Atlanta airport, but he forged ahead and got on the plane - BVI bound! Within 24 hours we had nursed him back to health. Nothing a painkiller can't fix!)

True or False...

Even though we swapped snow for sand, it still felt like Christmas, even in the BVI!

Answer: TRUE!! When we saw Santa at Soggy Dollar and his three "hoes" it certainly felt like Christmas!! What a fun day!

Much love to my in-laws!!! A daughter-in-law couldn't ask for a better pair. And a huge thanks for our Christmas gifts... We love our Kindles!

RumShopRyan names top Island Lifestyle Blogs

2011-01-02T10:26:00.000-04:00

OurBVIAdventure is honored to be on the list of Top Island Lifestyle Blogs of 2010. What a way to end the year! Thanks Ryan!

BVIMusic.com got a shout-out along with several other wonderful blogs, like No See Um's and Rum Therapy!

New Year's Eve Party

2010-12-31T21:13:00.001-04:00

The Last Resort threw a fabulous party on Friday night for New Year's Eve. The circus theme was carried out to perfection! Partygoers may have docked at Bellamy Cay, but they stepped into the Big Top as soon as they arrived...

The bar was painted in bright blues, reds and yellows complete with stripes and stars. And just as the advertisements promised, the night was "intents" and featured costume-clad band members, twinkling lights, bearded ladies and more ringmasters than you could count!

The most impressive of all stunts? The bass player, Geoff, performed while balancing on stilts! He could most definitely hold his own with the jumbies over at Trellis Bay!

The leadsinger, Al, even climbed up a ladder and played a guitar solo atop a 15 foot platform (more than once!) As midnight approached, we gathered on the lawn to watch confetti and fireworks shoot out from a large canon on top of the restaurant! We had the best time!!! We always do at The Last Resort, but they really pulled out all the stops for the party under the Big Top!

Happy New Year from Our BVI Adventure!!!

The Things People Do in the Sand

2010-12-31T11:10:00.000-04:00

How did you ring 2011? We went to the Last Resort's Circus-themed party, but more on that later...

First I must share this hilarious photo we snapped at Smuggler's Cove, earlier in the day on NYE. Not sure it needs much explanation...although I'm guessing her son or daughter will demand one when he/she finds this photo in a few years!

Happy New Year!

Rum Cake Rencounter

2010-12-29T08:35:00.000-04:00

Pusser's recently won a head-to-head contest for its rum cake hosted by Uncommon Caribbean, a blog that celebrates the "undiscovered charms" of the Caribbean.

Tortuga has long been THE rum cake in the Caribbean, but as the results of the contest show, Pusser's Premium British Navy Rum Cake is giving old Tortuga a run for its money! As Uncommon Caribbean points out, it all comes down to rum.

Pusser's rum cake is laced with 3 ounces of Pusser's Rum, as opposed to Tortuga's rum cake which doesn't exactly specify how much rum or rum essence is used...

So, if you're a fan of cake and you like rum, then this is the cake for you!!! We gave several of them as Christmas presents this year - with a warning, of course. Don't eat and drive!

Cheers!

"On St. John" On Jost van Dyke

2010-12-26T09:07:00.001-04:00

We had the pleasure of meeting the guys behind the blog, On-St John the other day. If you haven't checked it out yet, let me give you a reason...

Sharon, Dennis, Michael, and I are stars in their Christmas video! (Just click the link to see it - I can't embed it here.) We ran into them on Jost van Dyke at the Soggy Dollar Bar...the perfect backdrop for a hilarious rendition of "Winter Wonderland," don't you think?

While we can't say much for the singers (ourselves included!), these guys are talented videographers. They're also owners of a villa on St. John!

Day 374: More Family Arrives!

2010-12-25T23:30:00.002-04:00

My parents and sister arrived on Christmas Day!

What we thought would be a slow travel day turned out to be a pretty busy one! The airport was packed! Fortunately, all of their luggage made it which meant we could exchange Christmas presents on Christmas night! Oh, and look who accompanied us to the airport to greet them... Can you spot little Mills in the back seat? :)

Oh, and I must give a quick "shout out" to Margaret from New York! She came up to me in the aiport, as we were waiting on my family. She said she had been reading Our BVI Adventure in advance of her trip to the BVI! It was great meeting you Margaret and thanks for reading! Hope your BVI adventure is a great one!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T08:14:00.001-04:00

Did you know that the Griswolds have a house in the BVI? Check it.

{Click photo to enlarge!}

Complete with a movie projector and loud speakers blasting "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," this holiday decor rivals anything I've seen!

And aren't we lucky? The people who live in this house are our neighbors!!! Merry Christmas everyone!

The Night on Necker

2010-12-23T10:26:00.000-04:00

Remember that mammoth gig Da Tree Men were practicing for??? Well, Thursday night was the night. The band boarded a boat bound for Necker Island!

The gig? A Christmas party for Sir Richard Branson and family! Necker is his private 74-acre island. We were all a bit nervous - well, everyone but Pier. He was calm, cool and collected...must be a Jamaican thing! Regardless, we took the edge off with a beer on the way out there. We also toasted Joanna (bottom left) since she was responsible for the booking.

None of us had been to Necker Island before and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The grounds were stunning! The band played on a stage that overlooked the beach and pool area. Behind the hammock is a large table where dinner was served.

Everyone was so friendly, especially Richard's son, Sam who introduced himself to us and thanked Da Tree Men for being there. Most of the party guests were his friends, so it was a young and hip crowd. Adam brought two guitars, so Sam joined the guys on stage for a few songs. And he wasn't the only one! We had a harmonica player and yours truly played the jingle bells! Da Tree Men performed a few Christmas songs, including Mele Kalikimaka, which was a huge hit.

It was such a fun night - we completely lost track of time! Before we knew it, it was half past twelve and we were heading back to Tortola. Whew! What a night!!! So proud of Da Tree Men!

Anniversary Survey

2010-12-22T12:53:00.004-04:00

First of all, a HUGE thank you for all of the submissions to our Anniversary Survey. It was wonderful to hear from so many people from all around the globe! We are going to do our best to answer all of your questions and we have a special video reveal for the giveaway, so make sure to read (and watch) all the way to the end!

The survey is divided into three categories: About Us, About the Past Year and About the BVI. Let's start with that one...
About the BVI
Question: What is the most similar about the culture of the BVI and the US, and what is the biggest difference?

Answer: The most similar...let's see...this is a hard one. We share some of the same holiday traditions, which is evident now as we see Christmas decorations dotting the island, and rows of little bikes and other toys lined up outside the department stores. Even though it's 80 degrees and sunny, the Christmas spirit is very much alive in the BVI right now. And similar to the pomp and circumstance associated with the 4th of July in the states, the Emancipation celebration we witnessed back in August was impressive. We could most definitely identify with the pride of the people on display that day.

The biggest difference has to be the drive, or lack thereof. I'm reminded of a certain passage from "Don't Stop the Carnival" that really sums it up:

The West Indian is not exactly hostile to change, but he is not much inclined to believe in it. This comes from a piece of wisdom that his climate of eternal summer teaches him. It is that, under all the parade of human effort and noise, today is like yesterday and tomorrow will be like today...the idea is to take things easy and enjoy the passing time under the sun.

Michael and I - like so many other expats here - arrived in the BVI and marched in that parade of human effort and noise, until we turned around and realized the culture of the BVI prohibits the locals from joining in! The best way we've learned to cope with this stark difference is to adopt the old adage, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" So in a way, we've become more like them. This change was most recently realized when we met some new expats. We just nodded and listened as they shared their first impressions of the island with us. While we shared those exact experiences and felt the same frustrations, we are much more mellow now.
Question: What could you tell us about finding a place to live in the BVI?
Answer: The housing situation in the BVI can be a challenging landscape for expats looking to rent. If you're a buyer, there are quite a few houses on the market right now and great real estate agents to show you around. (Louise at Coldwell Banker is highly recommended!) From large estates with guest houses and maid quarters to small cottages or even condos are available for sale. Apartments for rent, on the other hand, are harder to come by... It's not that there isn't a plethora of options, it's just that so many of the houses have the most ridiculous furnishings or finishes. This is something that you have to see to believe!

Question: What's involved in obtaining a work permit?
Answer: Obtaining a work permit in the BVI is more often than not a very long and daunting process. The BVI protects it workforce which means expatriates (non-belongers) must go through a few rigorous rounds of applications in various offices to obtain a work permit. The entire process - from start to finish - took Michael 10 weeks to complete and for my "dependent status" it took another 9 weeks after that! A full medical exam is required, along with criminal records from the state from which you are leaving and the state where you were born. You will need a handful of passport photos and a whole lot of patience. One of the most frustrating things about the work permit process??? The bizarre hours the different departments keep. It goes something like this:

The medical office accepts immigration/work permit papers on Wednesdays from 9 - 2 and 8:30 - 11:30 on Thursdays, except for the third Wednesday and fourth Thursday of the month.

The labor department accepts final applications between the hours of 11 - 3 on the second and third Tuesdays.

While these are a bit exaggerated, it's not by much as anyone who's been through the process can attest! Oh and lastly, while waiting for your immigration status to be finalized, you must leave the country every 60 days. For us, that meant a few day trips to St. Thomas and St. John here and there.

Question: We know from past experience that the cost of goods is considerably more than here in North America, and the selection of available goods is different. But what more can you share with us?
Answer: One thing that may surprise you about the cost of goods in the BVI is that beer is cheaper than Coca-Cola. Pretty much anything that has a "sin tax" in North America is dirt cheap here. Liquor, wine, and cigarettes are extremely affordable, while a bag of Ruffles potato chips may run $7, as opposed to the $3.99 you might pay in your local grocery store.

Question: Is the BVI more Caribbean or more British? Or is it a mismash?
Answer: The BVI is more Caribbean, but in it's own BVI-way. If you've traveled in the Caribbean you know that each island, from Jamaica to Grenada, has its own identity. And the BVI is no exception. However, the majority of expatriates are British, but I don't think that population defines the island as much as the BVIslanders do...that's just my opinion.

Question: Why does the BVI use the US dollar?
Answer: I'm not really sure why the BVI uses the US dollar, and I can't seem to find a definitive answer...we are close in proximity to the USVI, so maybe that's why? I did find out when the BVI started using the US dollar.

With the breakup of colonial rule in the eastern Caribbean in 1956, the BVI declined both amalgamation with the USVI and membership in the now defunct West Indies Federation of British Islands (1958–1962). Constitutional reform in 1967 established the BVI as a British dependent territory, with a locally elected legislature and chief minister, and also established the US dollar as the official national tender.

About the Past Year...
Question: Has Milly made any friends?
Answer: Yes! Our dear Milly has made friends with a few dogs on our hill. One in particular is named Molly. They met when Molly was just a few weeks old and have been friends ever since.

Question: What's been your most hilarious moment on the island?
Answer: Goodness! There have been so many! One particular night comes to mind.... It was the middle of June and we were at the Tamarind Club with Felicity and Jerry when the boys decided to go swimming to cool off. In nothing but their boxer shorts the boys jumped into the pool! Well, for Jerry his boxer shorts were white Calvin Kleins!!! Felicity's face was about as red as a fire truck when he emerged from the water! Ha!

Here are the boys sipping their rum and cokes!

Question: What's the most beautiful thing you've seen or experienced?
Question: What is the most memorable moment of the past year?
Answer: These two questions have the same answer. The most beautiful thing we've seen and experienced in the BVI is the sea life! Watching dolphins swim in White Bay on Jost van Dyke...snorkeling with parrot fish at the Indians...holding our breath as a barracuda swims beneath our boat...squealing with delight at the sight of a flying eagle ray! These are all moments we'll never forget!

Question: What has been the hardest thing about life on Tortola?

Answer: Life on any Caribbean island comes with its share of challenges, but on Tortola, we've survived a hurricane, a subsequent power outage and lack of water. That was one of the most challenging weeks of our life, not just this past year!

Question: What's your favorite food and/or drink that you've discovered in the BVI?

Answer: This one is pretty easy...Anegada Lobster!!!

Question: How many bottles of Pusser's Rum have you consumed in the past year?
Answer: In our old house, we actually kept track by placing empty bottles on top of our kitchen cabinets. We had a "home team" (Pusser's) and an "away team" (Mount Gay). It was neck and neck there for a while. It's probably been 1.75 bottles/month, based on an average of 2.25 visitors/month. Ha!

Question: What was the hardest lesson to learn? And the most pleasant discovery?
Answer: One lesson we learned the hard way was the difference between a sidewalk and the side of the road. Parking on one is legal and the other is illegal. The problem is telling the two apart. A few $100 parking tickets later, we figured it out.

The most pleasant discovery was the Tamarind Club. We had lived here almost two months when we finally made it to this special place. I remember it well - fried green tomatoes were on the specials menu! And we heard the word "Y'ALL!" (The owners are from Georiga, you see?)

About Us...

Question: Will you ever jump off of Willy T's in nothing but your birthday suit? Or have you already?

Answer: Uh, no. ;) While we have jumped off Willy T's, we are far too modest to jump sans bathing suits. That doesn't mean we don't enjoy watching the occasional exploit! Right KK???

Question: If you could have a daily supply of one thing from the US that you miss, what would it be?

Answer: Well, we drink coffee from our Keurig Single-Cup Brew each day, and we rely on our guests to bring us boxes of our coffee K-cups. It sure would be nice if each and every morning we woke up to a new supply. Another another thing I would love is a Chick-fil-A drop every once in a while!

Question: If you and Michael could magically transport yourself back to Knoxville once a month - but for only two hours - what would you do each and every time without fail that you can't do on Tortola?

Answer(s):

This is really fun to consider!

During football season, we would tailgate on G-10 and maybe catch the first quarter of a game in Neyland Stadium! (Preferably it would be the Florida game in September so I could cheer on my Gators!)

I would love to go back - once a month - for a long lunch at Taccer del Saco!

For Michael, he says he would spend his two hours getting his hair cut by a proper barber.

On a hot summer day, we would also love to splash in the pool with our nieces, Avery and Gracen.

Question: What is your favorite island drink? (Carib, Presidente, Painkiller, Bushwhacker)

Answer(s): We both really like Presidente, which is imported from nearby Dominican Republic. Michael prefers the painkiller to the bushwhacker and I'm just the opposite!

Question: How do we get our own Da Tree Men t-shirts?
Answer: First, you need to buy a plane ticket to the BVI, come stay with us at Gecko Manor II, attend a Da Tree Men show and buy a t-shirt during their break. Total cost: $678.98. It's really a win-win. ;)

Now, onto the giveaway! We put the names of the entrants on little pieces of paper, put them in my sun hat and drove to Smuggler's Cove. Michael will take it from here...

Full Moon over Marina Cay

2010-12-21T07:12:00.000-04:00

December's full moon fell on Tuesday night this year! Lucky for Sharon and Dennis, we had planned on having lobster at Marina Cay which is directly across from Trellis Bay where the Full Moon Parties are held.

Here we are on the ferry!

It was a windy night which meant embers from the balls of fire were flying everywhere! The jumbies were entertaining the crowd and dancing to the music.

All of the shops at Trellis Bay were open during the party. That's really what makes Trellis Bay so unique. The Caribbean Artisan Network is based there, along with Aragorn's Studio which brings artisans together from all around the world.

Waves, Waves and More Waves!

2010-12-17T09:17:00.000-04:00

Despite a cold front moving through the BVI, the water at Smuggler's Cove was still warm enough for swimming. Check out this video of the boys body surfing on Friday afternoon...

Smuggler's Cove is our absolute favorite beach and we highly recommend it to folks traveling to Tortola. May we also suggest limin' with Stephen - he's the bartender to the left, when facing the beach. He's there almost every day and makes delicious drinks, as well as barbecue chicken and ribs.

Band Practice

2010-12-15T08:04:00.000-04:00

Michael's band has a mammoth gig coming up next week so it's practice, practice, practice...even with our company here.

Before heading up to Da Tree's Nest (Adam's house), we took Sharon and Dennis to dinner at Pusser's East. It's been so cool here these past few days, we were a little chilly sitting outside on the deck. Now, before you roll your eyes, our weathermen used the words "cold front" to describe the system that moved in. Sharon and Dennis weren't complaining. A cool breeze sure beats the 8 inches of snow they left back in Tennessee!

{The conch fritters at Pusser's East are really yummy, BTW!}

Since the band's mammoth gig is a private Christmas party, they've added a few holiday tunes to their repitoire, including Mele Kelikimaka! Christmas Vacation, anyone? They're going to be playing at The Elm on Sunday night, so I"ll have to get some video of their performance of that song.

Even though Da Tree Men were all business at practice, they did play Sharon's favorite dancing song - Mustang Sally! Thanks Pier!

Day 366: Sharon & Dennis Arrive!

2010-12-14T22:56:00.000-04:00

Michael and I are so blessed to have our families visiting us this Christmas.

His parents were scheduled to arrive this coming Saturday, but were able to escape the cold a few days earlier since the snow in Tennessee shut down the schools in Sharon's district. Here they are at the airport!

We got back to the house just in time to take in a beautiful sunset...

Faithful readers may remember that Sharon and Dennis visited in April with Michael's grandparents. While we packed a lot into their schedule during their last visit, there's plenty more to see and do!

Lastly, if you haven't read our Anniversary and Giveaway post, scroll down and enter to win! We're putting together a prize packed with treats from the BVI. All you have to do is submit a question to our Anniversary Survey. And thanks so much to those of you who've emailed me! Who new we had readers from Minneapolis, Sarasota, and Palm Desert?!?

Our Anniversary & a Giveaway!

2010-12-14T11:31:00.000-04:00

365 days in the BVI.  Wow.

It was exactly one year ago today - in the early morning hours of December 14th - that Michael and I left our home in Knoxville with suitcases in hand.  A crate of our belongings was already on a ship making its way through the Caribbean sea. Our life was about to change drastically.  We were feeling a mix of emotions...excited, somewhat scared, and sad to leave family and friends.  I remember looking at Michael when our plane landed in sunny San Juan and saying something like "We're really doing this..."

Transplanted from a place where all things were familiar and comfortable, we landed on Tortola without much more than a sense of self and each other. We rented a car and Michael drove us "home."  Grocery shopping on Day 1 seemed too overwhelming so we went to Pusser's in Road Town for dinner. {Remember, this was before the new Rite Way!}

This date on the calendar has completely snuck up on us! To mark our anniversary, we are unveiling a new design for Our BVI Adventure! You like? Too much pink? :)

We'd like your help with Our Anniversary Survey! Similar to the exit surveys we give our guests, we'd love to turn the tables a bit and answer your questions. What do you want to know about life in the BVI? What have I missed?

And to incentivize our dear readers, we're giving away a BVI package full of treats from all over the island...
A bottle of Pusser's Rum, Da Tree Men t-shirt, local spices from Sunny Caribbee, just to name a few!

All you have to do is submit a question either through the comment section, Facebook, or email (ameliadaniels @ gmail.com). We will do a follow-up post that will include our answers to your questions and announce the winner of the random drawing! Sound like a plan???

Lastly, a huge thank you to all of the family and friends who've supported us during this year away from home. I received so many sweet messages from friends this past weekend, reminiscing about the bon voyage party, hosted by our dear friends Caty and Matt. Here are a few photos from that night...

I think I win the award for "most changed." {My skin color is much darker and hair color is much lighter thanks to the sun!} Ha!

Okay, submit those questions! We'll be accepting them all week, until midnight Friday! Thanks for joining us on Our BVI Adventure!

Da Tree Men Originals

2010-12-13T09:08:00.000-04:00

At a recent Da Tree Men gig, the band perfomed some of their original songs.

The first one is a new song, one that Our BVI Adventure readers haven't heard before. It's called "Virgin Gorda" and Adam wrote it for children. But as an adult, I love it too!

Here are the lyrics...

If I was a tree on Virgin Gorda,
Standing tall for everyone to see.
I'd provide the shade
While you drank lemonade.
If I were a tree on Virgin Gorda.

If I was a fish on Virgin Gorda,
swimming in the Baths next to you.
I'd swim right up to you,
And we'd play peek-a-boo.
If I were a fish on Virgin Gorda.

If I was a frog on Virgin Gorda,
Peepin' all the time just for you.
I'd hop right on your face,
Just to liven up the place
If I was a frog on Virgin Gorda.

If I was a bird on Virgin Gorda,
Flying high and lookin' out for you
I'd fly right over you;
And I swear I wouldn't poo...
If I was a bird on Virgin Gorda.

You know I'd fly...
High to Leverick Bay.
Relying on the wind as it changed,
Looking out for you along the way...

Funny and sweet - the perfect combination for a children's song, don't you think?

The band also performed Bushwhacker which is Da Tree Men's first single. If you've never had one, the bushwhacker is a popular frozen concoction that tastes something resembling an iced coffee, with rum of course. As you listen, the song really isn't about the drink itself, but rather "Tortola's favorite girl" who enjoys them all too often!

Signage Sunday: Fish Are Getting Fresh!

2010-12-12T10:22:00.001-04:00

Check out this chalkboard sign at The Elm Beach Bar... Notice anything amiss? I'd like to buy a vowel Pat.

There are actually two gems here. The lack of the letter "u" turns the grouper entree into something a little more obscene. The fish is getting fresh...wink wink! Keep reading and this hopeful little meal isn't a sandwich at all, but rather a sandWISH.

To end on a high note, it looks like they spelled "Caesar" right!

Day 358: Oh Christmas Tree!

2010-12-09T12:48:00.004-04:00

Over the past several weeks, Christmas decorations have been popping up all over Road Town. Michael and I were itching to get in the spirit ourselves, so on Day 358, we set out to get a live Christmas tree. And no your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, you read it right. We wanted a live tree, just like we used to have at home.

We'd heard that Bobby's (a grocery store) had the best selection in the BVI, so that was our first stop. We chose a tall tree from a large refridgerated container and we were on our way!

When it comes to Christmas, I'm a traditionalist. Since we started dating in 2004, Michael and I have always gotten our Christmas tree at the same lot in Knoxville - the one in front of Stir Fry in the Gallery shopping center if you were wondering. ;) And that was just the beginning...we also used to wear these hilarious Christmas sweaters year after year. We would take cheesy photos, documenting the entire process from selection of the perfect tree, cutting it, wrapping it and tying it to the top of the car...

Unfortunately, those sweaters didn't make it to the BVI. They must be in storage somewhere, along with all of our ornaments. {If you know me well, you know where this is going...}

A couple of weeks ago, I started making ornaments for the tree, based on ones I saw on MarthaStewart.com. The ornaments are made completely of paper and ink.

I designed them using Scrapblog and had them professionally printed. That's when the real work began. I had to cut the paper into squares, fold each side and then use a glue stick to attach all six pieces together. I also used a needle and thread to create an almost invisible loop at the top from which to hang the ornament.

Along with Christmas greetings and lyrics from some of our favorite Christmas songs. you'll notice black and white photos on the ornaments. This is a way to have our family members and friends around us, even though 2,000+ miles separate most of us. I can't help but smile when I look at the tree, filled with memories of the past year.

Here's a shot of the entire tree (minus the bow for the top that I hadn't yet made when I snapped this photo!)

Now all that's left to do is have a little party and pop some holiday bubbly! (Oh, and finish up my online shopping and get to wrapping!)

Even though it's 80 degrees outside it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the BVI!

Day 356: Recovery Mission

2010-12-07T11:00:00.001-04:00

A VISAR (Virgin Island Search and Rescue) helicopter was flying near the house on Tuesday. I can count on one hand how many times I've seen a helicopter in the past year, so I grabbed my camera and snapped this shot. I wasn't aware at the time that this helicopter was on a recovery mission...a very tragic one.

In the early morning hours on Monday, a boat carrying mostly Haitian immigrants wrecked on a reef at Brandywine Bay...less than a quarter mile from our hill. According to news reports, VISAR recovered the bodies of six adults and two children. Twenty others were either rescued or swam to shore; they are now being detained.

Haiti's Port-au-Prince is some 500 miles from the BVI. I cannot even wrap my head around the hardships these people endured which led them to flee...the feelings of desparation, fear, hope and defeat...and the terrible loss that they're feeling now. What a tragic end to what was already a dire situation...

Go Hermit Crabs! Go!

2010-12-04T22:11:00.001-04:00

What has to be one of the best executed fundraisers in the BVI was held on Saturday night at Peg Leg's at Nanny Cay. "Gaming Night", as it's called, benefits the Humane Society of the BVI and involves classic gambling games like black jack and roulette (all for a good cause remember!)

One of the most popular games? The hermit crab races held on the hour. That's right, we were betting on actual live crabs and their ability to expeditiously move from the center of the ring to the outer edge. First crab to touch the wall wins! This video is of the last race of the night...

What a fun night! We had some luck at the roulette wheel and won a few hands of black jack too! I haven't heard a total just yet, but with 200+ attendees there had to be quite a lot of money raised for the Humane Society!

Day 353: Retail Therapy by way of Lady Sol

2010-12-04T10:58:00.001-04:00

Amex in hand, we headed for the USVI on Day 353. Normally, this means catching a ferry from either Road Town or West End, but our friends Louise and Richard elected to take their boat, Lady Sol since the conditions were so perfect. Flat water and no wind made for a smooth (and more importantly dry) trip!

We "cleared" through Cruz Bay on St. John. This means we went through Customs there and got the necessary paperwork for the boat, which allowed us to legally motor in US waters. We grabbed a coffee at a charming little bakery and headed for Red Hook on St. Thomas.

Check out this member of the welcoming committee there...yikes! He gave me quite the startle! I think it's a he...

We hitched a ride on the open-air "dollar bus" - Charlotte Amalie bound!

We enjoyed a yummy lunch at W!kked in The Galleria at Yacht Haven Grande. The shops there include Louis Vuitton, Gucci, BCBG, just to name a few!

The big winner of the day, however, was K Mart, yes K Mart. When you live on an island where a generic microwave costs upwards of $250, it was fiscally responsible of us to shop there and stock up on essentials, from scotch tape to "toilet rolls." :)

The most gorgeous part of day came as the sun was setting over St. Thomas.

While boating in the dark isn't necessarily what any of us had in mind when we started out, it was a beautiful view. We had to go back through Customs in the BVI and settle up with the Duty Officer before navigating the Sir Francis Drake Channel, again, in complete darkness.

Richard did a stellar job as "captain" and returned us safely back to the docks at Nanny Cay.

You know, after writing this, I'm amazed at the energy expended in the name of retail. While it was the most enjoyable day, don't get me wrong, I just think about the lengths people (in this case, us!) will go to when it comes to shopping.

SO, if a short car ride happens to separate you from a mall or shopping center, will you do me a favor? Savor that convenient little drive, free parking, and selection of stores stuffed with the latest and greatest!

Reciprocally, we will savor the sunshine and warm temperatures this holiday season while many of you are bundled up and scraping ice from your windshields so you can take aforementioned trip to the shopping mall!

Merry Christmas!

And Mr. Movember 2010 is...

2010-11-30T09:21:00.000-04:00

Mr. William Callewaert! All of the contestants who've been growing their mustaches all month competed for the top prize for Mr. Movember on Tuesday night . The stache bash was held at Nanny Cay.

There were a variety of categories: Best Handlebar, Best Celebrity Lookalike, Classiest, Sexiest, etc...

{photo credit: BVI Beacon}

We had such fun watching all of the mo bros compete for prizes and ultimately raise money to promote awareness of prostate cancer and the need for men to be screened. All of the money raised during Movember will be donated to the BVI Chapter of the Red Cross.

{photo credit: BVI Beacon}

What a fun event! If Michael were able to sport facial hair at work, he would've made a great mo bro!

Day 346: A Farewell

2010-11-27T16:22:00.002-04:00

Michael and I are experiencing something right now that is unfortunately quite common in the expat community... We are bidding farewell to other expat friends who are returning to their home country.

It is with much saddness that we say good-bye to Gerry and Felicity. Gerry and Felicity were the first friends we made on Tortola, outside of the Pusser's family of course. So for our farewell dinner, we went back to the place where we all first met - Pusser's East.

When I think back on that night, I just have to laugh. This was in our first 50 days on the island and all four of us were sitting at the bar. Michael and I felt like single guys getting ready to approach the only ladies in the place. {Sorry Gerry, but you have to be a girl in this scenario!} We even had a quick pep talk before going over to them and may have even discussed using a pick-up line. Whatever we ended up saying to them - it worked! Because we all became fast friends!

Here's a great shot of the boys enjoying their Irish coffees at the end of a delicious dinner.

For the girls, we had our own little get together on Friday. A champagne lunch? Don't mind if we do!

In this friendship, we've shared some bits and pieces our respective cultures...

From us to them:

- a positive example of the Greek system of fraternities and sororities

- the difference between the NFL and college football

- the word Y'ALL (Felicity more than Gerry will likely find herself using the word back home!)

What they've shared with us:

- the phrase "to have a sneaky one" which means to have a last drink of the night

- the song, Fairytale in New York

- how to make soldiers, soft-boiled eggs and toast

- the after dinner drink, Baby Guinness which is a shot of Kahlua with Bailey's on top. There's zero Guinness in the drink, but it looks like a miniature glass of the dark beer.

But most of all, we've shared a lot of laughs as we navigated this little island together. While we will miss Gerry and Felicity terribly, we are happy for them to be reunited with their friends and families in Ireland. They've lived abroad for two years now, as Gerry worked for Digicel in Anguilla, St. Lucia and lastly Tortola.

After a whirlwind trip through South America (a belated honeymoon) and a stop in the Big Apple, the pair will return home, just in time for Christmas.

To Gerry and Felicity, we wish you the very best! Michael and I loved getting to know you both and we'll surely miss you around here, especially on those nights when we turn a "sneaky one" into a "sneaky three." Safe travels! Hope to see you soon - on your turf next!

Full of Gratitude...

2010-11-26T09:33:00.000-04:00

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

2010-11-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

What's wrong with that above sentence? Well, nothing if you are in the United States of America today, which sadly, we are not. I'm not going to let my latitude stop me! In fact, I've used this salutation several times already. We had a pre-Thanksgiving Feast last night with some of our American friends and I made a point to say it to everyone there. (Huge thanks to Larry, Gabby and Tony for sharing your culinary skills with us!)

This will be our fourth American holiday celebration in the BVI and if the "celebrations" for the last three are any indication, today won't resemble anything like a traditional Thanksgiving.

Let's see...where were we on Memorial Day? That's right - Michael worked and I took our visitors, KK, Lauren and JMac swimming with the dolphins then over to Marina Cay for an afternoon at the beach. Not bad actually.

Fourth of July? Oh, I remember! Michael's band had a gig at The Elm. That's the night Da Tree Men played the song, Jost van Dyke for the first time! Not necessarily patriotic...but it was fun!

And the only thing I remember about Labor Day was the water shortage we faced at the time.

As I type this, Michael is already at work...no sleeping in, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, lounging around or watching football for him. I will find away to keep one tradition alive and that's making my signature Thanksgiving dish: dressing. We've accepted the kind invitation of another group of friends and I get to bring the dressing tonight.

So, Happy Thanksgiving Y'all! Even though we are away from our families today {which I have to admit is a lot harder than I thought it would be!}, we have so many reasons to give thanks today.

I think Freeman Roger's list is a pretty good place to start...

Headlines

2010-11-24T08:33:00.000-04:00

As I was reading the various BVI online publications this morning, I ran across a funny headline...

"Armed men caught attempting to rob RT police station"

The story doesn't offer up much more detail than that. Three men broke into the police station in the early morning hours and were apprehended by a police officer - you guessed it - who was working there at the time.

Over on BVI Platinum the headline of the story refers to the robbery as a "police station invasion!"

Come on guys! Please don't make me submit this to Dumb Criminals.

Exit Survey: Travis

2010-11-22T10:46:00.006-04:00

Of the five Pusser's locations, which ones did you visit on your trip? (Road Town Pub, Pusser's East, Marina Cay, Soper's Hole, or Leverick Bay)

Answer(s): We only ate at Pusser's East but we did drive by the Road Town Pub 734 times. Okay, okay. It only felt like 734 times. It was probably closer to 16 or 20.

What restaurant has the sturdiest chairs?
A) Nanny Cay
B) Jolly Roger
C) Pusser's East
D) The Elm
E) None of the above
Answer(s): While the chairs at all these establishments are outstanding, the Jolly Roger is the best place to visit if you like chairs that look sturdy but are actually cracked. The cracked chair leg makes for a fun, although somewhat painful, slow motion ride to the floor. Let the good times roll. Literally.(He is so perfectly describing my slow and painful fall, not his own. I hit my head on the specials board which then fell over and pinned Travis in his upright chair! What a mess!)

What was your favorite wake-up call?
A) The roosters
B) The sun
C) Milly politely barking at my bedside, her way of asking for assistance in getting on the bed
D) The smell of bacon
E) None of the above (I'm not a morning person.)
Answer(s):
F) All of the above. It wouldn't be a Tortola morning without hearing the 1,931 voices of the Crowing Rooster Choir sweetly announcing the arrival of the morning sun. After hearing of the torrential rains of the "rainy season" I was thrilled to wake up to blue skies and sunshine every day of my visit. Ms. Milly is a rock star and the bacon, grits, waffles, and OJ at the Daniels Café are outstanding! All in all, the mornings were pleasant even though I'm not a morning person at all.

True or False:
The slide and overall pool experience at Scrub Island puts Dollywood Splash Country to shame.
Answer:
True. I did enjoy the slide, infinity pool, hot tub, company, and the serene setting overlooking the ocean at Scrub Island. However, there is something to be said for thousands of overweight, tattooed, bikini and jort clad rednecks prancing and dancing around in a waterpark induced high that tugs at my heart and brings a tear to my eye. It truly is a tough call on this one.

Finish the following sentence:
The thing that had changed the most since my last visit was...
Answer(s):
1) The accommodations at Chateau Daniels are much more refined and comfortable. They were good before but now they're outstanding!
2) The roads. Just when I thought the roads couldn't get any worse, torrential rains set in. Potholes galore. Enough said.

It was great having you here Travis! You are such the comic relief in any situation...even when I'm the one falling out of my chair!

Sunday Part 2: Wakeboarding!

2010-11-21T08:11:00.001-04:00

In the afternoon we accepted the kind invitation from our new friends, Louise and Richard to join them for an afternoon of wakeboarding! Michael loves this sport and until now, he hasn't had the opportunity in the BVI. Louise and Richard, both from England, have lived in the BVI going on three years now, but just recently started wakeboarding. You wouldn't know it though - just watch them go! First up? Louise!

Michael picked it back up as if no time had passed from his days on Lake Holiday...

This next shot is the only one I caught of any of the wakeboarders in mid-air! This was actually the last run of the day - Richard finished strong!

Oh, and you might be wondering - where are the photos of yours truly weaving in and out of the waves? Unfortunately there are none. There are several embarrasing videos of me attempting to wakeboard. I did manage to get up two of the seven attempts, but it was short-lived. Maybe next time?

Here's one last shot...love the sun in this one. That's Michael on the board.

Sunday Part 1: SUP

2010-11-21T07:57:00.000-04:00

After seeing Travis off, we went for a SUP on Sunday. It was the first trip for our new underwater camera. Check out the starfish we saw just off of Beef Island...

We also stopped off at a beach that's technically on Tortola, although it's only about 40 feet wide. We haven't come up with a name for this beach just yet, but we're working on it...

This beach has a clear view of the airport and we timed it just right! Travis's plane was scheduled to leave at noon and sure enough we were able to watch his take-off!

We also paid a visit to the conch mound again and I found a really pretty shell. I expect it will soon take residence on our bookshelf in the living room. I first need to get rid of the smell! (Blah!) A little bit of bleach and water should do the trick...

New Menu at Pusser's East

2010-11-18T09:02:00.016-04:00

Pusser's East recently unveiled a new menu and I just had to take Travis back there, considering it was one of his favorite restaurant experiences the last time he was in the BVI...

We started off with some cocktails: the Naked Lorna and the classic Bushwhacker. Andre was tending bar so these were extra delicious!

For dinner we both had the fish tacos, made with fresh, grilled mahi, cabbage, tomatoes, housemade pickles and new spicy aoli that was most definitely spicy! Yum!

Afterwards we headed to Nanny Cay where Da Tree Men were playing for the Carib 1500 - the largest and longest sailing race. The boats set sail on November 7th from Hampton, Virginia and arrived in the BVI on November 18th! Long trip!

This was Travis's first time hearing the band - I think he enjoyed it!

Oh, and the band became "Da Tree Men and a Lady" when a crew member of the boat Smidge got up and sang House of the Rising Sun. She killed it!

Day 336: Travis Arrives!

2010-11-17T17:55:00.001-04:00

Our friend Travis arrived in the BVI on Day 336! Whoo hoo! It was great to see him again. {Faithful readers may remember that Travis paid us a visit back in February.}

Other than family, Travis is our first repeat customer! Like so many of our friends who come to visit, he packed more than swim trunks and flip flops in those suitcases...

He brought us some of our favorites from the grocery store, like grits and the makings for jambalaya and gumbo. Can't forget the Keurig K-cups either! A few more of our bath towels. The most important import was the new underwater Olympus Stylus Tough camera! I was able to order it online at BestBuy.com and select "in-store pick-up by friend." How cool is that?!?

Underwater pics to come!

The Governor's Blog

2010-11-16T17:09:00.000-04:00

Who knew the Governor of the BVI had a blog? I didn't until today. Boyd McCleary became governor of the territory in August and through a few thoughtful posts he's keeping us up-to-date on his activities.

Just recently he visited Cane Garden Bay for a closer look at a glass recycling program there.

I recently had the pleasure of sitting next to his wife, Jenny at a luncheon for the Tortola Ladies Club.

Nautical Makeover

2010-11-12T11:32:00.001-04:00

So, not only have I been busy furnishing our new house (we're almost to the recap, I promise!) I've also been working on a blog redesign for Our BVI Adventure. Here's a little preview of some of the graphic art I created...

This stems from an art project that I did for the new guest bedroom. The vision in my head was a twist on the traditional nautical flag to accent the crisp white headboard. Instead of using red, I went with pink and in lieu of yellow, I chose orange.

My canvas? A white duck cloth, cut in 8'' squares. My medium? Craft paint. Not acrylic or oil. Craft paint. That's all I could find on the island! Oh, I also used masking tape to help keep my lines straight.

Here's how the art project turned out on the wall:
(Sorry for the grainy image; I took this shot with my iPhone.)

And if you're not up your nautical flags, each one represents a letter and this collage spells DREAM.

Once you see the new blog design, you may think I've gone "overboard"! {Pun intended!} That's coming soon...

November Rain

2010-11-11T11:54:00.000-04:00

I'm coming up for air to write this blogpost, as once again the BVI is experiencing heavy, heavy rains.

Just when you think you've seen the last of it, another cloud moves in. The BVI is under a flash flood warning until noon today; schools are closed; there's talk of mudslides...

Here's a photo Adam snapped in Road Town a few days ago.

Until the sun shines again, I've got this song stuck on my replay in my head. Go back to 1992 with me, won't you?

Exit Survey: Courtney

2010-11-09T11:36:00.002-04:00

Our time with Courtney went by way too fast! I think she would agree. We sure did pack a lot into her five days in the Caribbean. Let me count...she went to six different islands, well, seven if you include Beef Island where the airport is! Ha! There's Tortola, Scrub Island, Sandy Cay, Jost van Dyke, Norman Island and Marina Cay... Whew! No wonder we're exhausted!

So, here's the survey!

Of the five Pusser's locations, which ones did you make it to on your visit? (Road Town Pub, Pusser's East, Pusser's at Soper's Hole, Marina Cay and Leverick Bay)
Answer(s):
What is Pusser's? :)
Road Town Pub - loved meeting Charles and having my first Painkiller there and Marina Cay - gorgeous!

Favorite dining experience on the island?
Answer:
The buffet from the Nanny Cay boat show, served out of Styrofoam...yum yum! No really, Pusser's Marina Cay.

And here are the Marina Cay champagnes we had before feasting on lobster! Cheers!

What's the most bizarre thing you saw on the trip?
Answer(s):
As a "country girl" I didn't think the farm animals roaming the island were all that bizarre. So, I will go with a tie...
Marc whipping his shirt off at the Dove to show us his tattoos (captured this one on my camera!) and perhaps Michael dancing to "Son of a Preacher Man" on the catamaran.

Good thing there is photographic evidence of BOTH of these bizarre occurrences, so these won't be left up to the imaginations of Our BVI Adventure readers.

Of the following, which best describes your feelings toward kayaking?
A) Take it!
B) Leave it!
C) Kayaking? Never tried it. (Or at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)
Answer:
C, C, 1000 times C

What was the yummiest cocktail you tried in the BVI?
Answer:
"She wants a bushwhacker, bushwhacker, bushwhacker..."

What was the funniest quote of the trip?
Answer:
Compliments of sweet Sebastian, spoken in a lovely British accent as we were posing for a group photo (see below), he said to the guy standing in our shot: "Excuse me sir, but can you please f off?"

It worked! The guy moved and we got our group shot!

How would you best describe Michael's boating skills?
A) Expert, especially with his sense of direction!
B) Good
C) Safe
D) Novice
E) Michael? You mean, Captain Drinky Pants???
Answer(s):
Trip to Jost van Dyke? A.
Trip back to Tortola? Definitely E!
Love you MDD!

When are you coming back to visit us again?
Answer:
So, seems there are some good flights on Monday? Too soon?

In conclusion: What a trip!! Visiting your best friend, her husband that is also beyond adored (and can't forget my sweet girl Milly!) when you miss them like crazy would always be a blast...just doesn't hurt that those people, for me, live in paradise. I am ready to plan my next trip to see them and the other friends I made on the island. Longer than five days next time! Rest up my friends! Love y'all!

We love you too Courtney!

Scrub-a-dub-dub!

2010-11-05T14:14:00.000-04:00

One of the places Courtney really wanted to go on her trip was Scrub Island. She had read about our escapades there on the blog.

So, on Friday afternoon we headed for Trellis Bay to catch the ferry.

We arrived just in time for lunch. We also wanted to take advantage of the gorgeous pools and have a swim. (Okay, maybe a few trips down the slide too!)

And there she goes! Wheeeeeeeeeee!

Love this photo...truly captures the day!

Couldn't think of a better way to spend a Friday afternoon!

Day 323: Pink Bikini on Smuggler's Cove

2010-11-04T11:23:00.001-04:00

I bet you thought you were actually going to see a pink bikini, right? Well, that's it there on the left! Courtney enjoyed one of Stephen's delicious concoctions at Smuggler's Cove on Thursday afternoon.

We watched him make it and the "pink bikini" contains:
Two parts rum
One part orange juice
One part pineapple juice
Splash of Coco Lopez
Splash of Rose's Grenadine
Served on the rocks with an orange slice

It was gooooooooooooood!

Day 322: Courtney Arrives!

2010-11-03T22:58:00.016-04:00

On Wednesday, Day 336 of our adventure, our dear friend Courtney arrived in the BVI! This trip has been a long time coming and when she finally appeared through the sliding doors at the airport, we were so excited! Fortunately she had no flight delays and everyone at Immigration and Customs was so welcoming to her!

After a quick change back at the new house (a recap IS coming soon - promise!), we headed to West End for the opening night of lobster season. Michael reserved us a 4 lbs lobster! We couldn't do it alone, so Adam joined us. And it was delicious!!! The tradewinds kept us cool as we sat at the water's edge and savored every last bite.

Editor's note: Courtney's arrival photo is unfortunately stuck on the memory card of my camera. A little too much moisture so it's not working properly at the moment. Please forgive this omission!

Just to hold you over, here's one of my favorite photos of the two of us from her trip:

We're in front of the Caves on Norman Island...more to come about this excursion! Stay tuned...

Gro It. Sho It. Mo It.

2010-11-02T17:03:00.000-04:00

That's the tagline of - what has to be - one of the funniest events here in the British Virgin Islands. It's called Movember {pronounced Moe-vember.} Participants will attempt to grow a mustache - the creepier the better, I hear - and raise money for charity at the same time. It is a competition of course and the reigning Mr. Movemember wrote this funny piece about the event in the BVI Beacon.

On Sunday at the Tamarind Club, guys could pre-register and get a nice clean shave poolside. They want to make sure everyone starts on a level playing field. {Insert stache joke here.}

Michael's band, Da Tree Men played and entertained the crowd. My friend Joanna took this photo of Michael and Adam, two of "da tree" band members. She has a really awesome camera (a Canon I believe) and she's quite talented behind the lense!

It was the perfect end to the Halloween weekend. Swimming in the pool, listening to great live music (I'm not biased, am I?) and hanging out with friends make the perfect Sunday Funday.