Monday, June 18, 2012
Peter Island Friday
One of our favorite islands in the British Virgin Islands is Peter Island. It's directly across the Sir Francis Drake Channel from our house on Tortola. All that's there is a stunning resort. We'd taken Liz and Jeff there on their previous visit to the BVI and it was on the list of things to do again. That's when you know it's a must-see! The ferry ride from Tortola is $20 per person, but the babies ride for free.
Once we arrived on the island, we took a collective deep breath. There's something so calming about Peter Island - the surroundings instantly relax you. A nice gentleman from the resort took us for a ride in his golf cart and dropped us off at Dead Man's Beach. We set up under some palm trees and enjoyed the cool breezes.
Since at least one of the babies decided to take a nap upon our arrival, we put Liz to work modeling some clothes for Michael's company, HIHO. This is the St. Barth's dress. Doesn't she look stunning?
Before we knew it, it was lunchtime. And off to Deadman's Beach Bar & Grill we went! The staff was so accommodating, as they rounded up not one, not two, but three high chairs! While Michael and Jeff had big, juicy burgers, Liz had the jerk chicken wrap. I had the blackened mahi mahi sandwich, and Alison had a yummy salad.
Michael had a few more products to shoot, but I got behind the camera to snap this sweet sibling pair. (They too are wearing HIHO, Jeff in a long-sleeve suntek shirt and Alison in a lycra perfect for the water.)
We headed to The Dove for dinner that night!
Once we arrived on the island, we took a collective deep breath. There's something so calming about Peter Island - the surroundings instantly relax you. A nice gentleman from the resort took us for a ride in his golf cart and dropped us off at Dead Man's Beach. We set up under some palm trees and enjoyed the cool breezes.
Since at least one of the babies decided to take a nap upon our arrival, we put Liz to work modeling some clothes for Michael's company, HIHO. This is the St. Barth's dress. Doesn't she look stunning?
Before we knew it, it was lunchtime. And off to Deadman's Beach Bar & Grill we went! The staff was so accommodating, as they rounded up not one, not two, but three high chairs! While Michael and Jeff had big, juicy burgers, Liz had the jerk chicken wrap. I had the blackened mahi mahi sandwich, and Alison had a yummy salad.
Michael had a few more products to shoot, but I got behind the camera to snap this sweet sibling pair. (They too are wearing HIHO, Jeff in a long-sleeve suntek shirt and Alison in a lycra perfect for the water.)
We headed to The Dove for dinner that night!
It was a lovely way to end the week...PEI mussels, a middle course of tortellini, Dove steaks and prawns. We couldn't possibly order dessert!
Labels:
Thursday, June 14, 2012
CocoMaya on VG
After two fun-filled days, we opted for a low-key day on Wednesday. We ran some errands in town, took the girls to the park, and relaxed at the house.
Later on, we headed out for an "adults only" evening on Virgin Gorda. The ferry companies run a late ferry on Wednesday nights, so we caught the 6:45pm boat (which was really more like 7:30pm - gotta love 'island time.') Our destination? The new restaurant, CocoMaya! And when I say "new" I mean new! As in only open for 4 days!!!
The restaurant was on the cover of the Property and Yacht magazine this month, so we knew what to expect from the photos, but the beauty of the restaurant took our breath away. It's essentially a massive, upscale cabana on the beach. The ambiance is warm and intimate despite the cavernous feeling of the restaurant. Love the juxtaposition!
The staff could not have been more helpful with their cocktail recommendations and personal anecdotes about the menu. You could tell the owners made a genuine effort to train their staff, which was predominantly made up of local Virgin Gorda islanders.
I tried the champagne cocktail that had hints of ginger and peach, and it was very refreshing and not too sweet. When it came to ordering dinner, we had been warned that the portion sizes were small, almost tapas-like. So between the four of us, we ordered seven or eight dishes. Some of our favorites were the soft-shell crab sushi roll, the duck nachos, the snapper curry, and the beef short rib empanadas. The food arrived in two rounds which was perfect.
We enjoyed a bottle of sauvignon blanc and topped off the meal with a walk around the property that included a view from the "VIP lounge," a turn on the bar/porch swing and shuffle in the sand around the fire pit.
It was a lovely evening! And before we knew it, our taxi driver was there to take us back to the ferry dock to catch the 10:30pm ferry home...
We will definitely be going back! Soon!
Later on, we headed out for an "adults only" evening on Virgin Gorda. The ferry companies run a late ferry on Wednesday nights, so we caught the 6:45pm boat (which was really more like 7:30pm - gotta love 'island time.') Our destination? The new restaurant, CocoMaya! And when I say "new" I mean new! As in only open for 4 days!!!
The restaurant was on the cover of the Property and Yacht magazine this month, so we knew what to expect from the photos, but the beauty of the restaurant took our breath away. It's essentially a massive, upscale cabana on the beach. The ambiance is warm and intimate despite the cavernous feeling of the restaurant. Love the juxtaposition!
The staff could not have been more helpful with their cocktail recommendations and personal anecdotes about the menu. You could tell the owners made a genuine effort to train their staff, which was predominantly made up of local Virgin Gorda islanders.
I tried the champagne cocktail that had hints of ginger and peach, and it was very refreshing and not too sweet. When it came to ordering dinner, we had been warned that the portion sizes were small, almost tapas-like. So between the four of us, we ordered seven or eight dishes. Some of our favorites were the soft-shell crab sushi roll, the duck nachos, the snapper curry, and the beef short rib empanadas. The food arrived in two rounds which was perfect.
We enjoyed a bottle of sauvignon blanc and topped off the meal with a walk around the property that included a view from the "VIP lounge," a turn on the bar/porch swing and shuffle in the sand around the fire pit.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Three Babies. One Love.
On Tuesday, we headed out with the Campagna clan to the beautiful Jost van Dyke. We took the Mystique day sail again...I cannot speak highly enough of this boat! It is in the Voyage Charter fleet out of Soper's Hole.
(Funny side note: Once we had boarded, and we were awaiting the safety briefing, one of our fellow passengers looked over at me and said - "Do you have a blog? I googled the Mystique boat this morning looking for their phone number and your blog popped up. That must be Anna Drake!" While this isn't the first time I've been recognized from the blog, it's the first time in a long time. So, thanks for reading nice lady from South Carolina!)
Soggy Dollar Bar may have the best painkillers, but One Love makes the best bushwhacker!
We also ate lunch at One Love and it was delicious. We shared a few savory lobster quesadillas. How sweet are little Charlotte and Vivian??? They adopted the chill vibe of Jost van Dyke and acted as if this was something they do every day.
We also introduced Liz to the dark and stormy drink. Have you had one? It's made with three simple ingredients: 1 part Gosling's Rum (that's the dark) 1 part Ginger Beer (that's the stormy) and then a squeeze of fresh lime. Here's the finished product:
It was another gorgeous day in the BVI and another splendid day sail on the Mystique. Thanks to our captain, Nico and hostess, Celia for making it so wonderful!
Don't you just want to dive in and take a swim? Aunt Alison did - here she is enjoying the cool waters.
(Funny side note: Once we had boarded, and we were awaiting the safety briefing, one of our fellow passengers looked over at me and said - "Do you have a blog? I googled the Mystique boat this morning looking for their phone number and your blog popped up. That must be Anna Drake!" While this isn't the first time I've been recognized from the blog, it's the first time in a long time. So, thanks for reading nice lady from South Carolina!)
We set sail for Diamond Reef, where Jeff and his sister Alison enjoyed snorkeling, while the rest of us hung out on the boat.
The next stop was White Bay on Jost van Dyke. We took refuge in the shade of the sea grape trees along the beach. Oh yeah, and we quenched our thirst with bushwhackers!
We also introduced Liz to the dark and stormy drink. Have you had one? It's made with three simple ingredients: 1 part Gosling's Rum (that's the dark) 1 part Ginger Beer (that's the stormy) and then a squeeze of fresh lime. Here's the finished product:
Beach Party
On Liz and Jeff's first full day, we headed to Smuggler's Cove on the west end of Tortola. (No big surprise there! It is, after all, our favorite beach!)
Some of our friends on island, who also have babies, met us there for a picnic! See our fancy blue tarp? That was the boy's attempt to provide some additional shade for the babies. Aside from scaring Anna Drake, as it loudly flapped in the wind, it worked pretty well!
We all brought something to share and it turned out to be quite a spread! Crisp apple chicken salad, shrimp risotto, pesto pasta (with fresh-from-the-garden basil, picked that morning! Yum, yum Lisa!), mustard seed green beans, and so on... All of it was delicious! Since the beach bars closed there a few months ago, we had to improvise!
Michael snapped some sweet photos of the Campagna girls...
This next one is my absolute favorite. Miss Vivian on the left was having fun splashing in the sea!
It was a fantastic afternoon! And tomorrow? We'll be visiting that island off the in distance...Jost van Dyke!
Some of our friends on island, who also have babies, met us there for a picnic! See our fancy blue tarp? That was the boy's attempt to provide some additional shade for the babies. Aside from scaring Anna Drake, as it loudly flapped in the wind, it worked pretty well!
We all brought something to share and it turned out to be quite a spread! Crisp apple chicken salad, shrimp risotto, pesto pasta (with fresh-from-the-garden basil, picked that morning! Yum, yum Lisa!), mustard seed green beans, and so on... All of it was delicious! Since the beach bars closed there a few months ago, we had to improvise!
Michael snapped some sweet photos of the Campagna girls...
It was a fantastic afternoon! And tomorrow? We'll be visiting that island off the in distance...Jost van Dyke!
Liz & Jeff Arrive Plus Twins!
If you've been reading Our BVI Adventure since the beginning, then you may remember one of our first sets of visitors...Liz and Jeff! Liz and I were sorority sisters together.
Well, since they were here in March of 2010, they've expanded their family by two! Twins, Charlotte and Vivian joined the Campagna clan in February of last year! All four of them, plus Jeff's sister, Alison made the trip from New Jersey to the BVI, by way of St. Thomas.
Here's Liz holding dear Charlotte as their ferry docked in Road Town.
Well, since they were here in March of 2010, they've expanded their family by two! Twins, Charlotte and Vivian joined the Campagna clan in February of last year! All four of them, plus Jeff's sister, Alison made the trip from New Jersey to the BVI, by way of St. Thomas.
Here's Liz holding dear Charlotte as their ferry docked in Road Town.
We have a lot of fun things planned, including a trip on the Mystique, a visit to Peter Island and a few "adults only" dinners to the new CocoMaya on Virgin Gorda and of course, the Dove.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Sushi on Tortola
Until the new restaurant Origins opened in the old Three Sheets building on Road Town's Waterfront Drive, there were only a few options if you wanted sushi on the island.
Michael and I had a date night recently and we broke away from our routine (the Dove) and tried it. The sushi was delicious! We mostly had versions of salmon and crab rolls, but all had their own distinct flavors.
Michael and I had a date night recently and we broke away from our routine (the Dove) and tried it. The sushi was delicious! We mostly had versions of salmon and crab rolls, but all had their own distinct flavors.
And if the weather is nice, take your cocktail or glass of wine to the top floor where you can see a great view of Road Town Harbour.
Where did May go???
Much of May was filled with travels for the Daniels family, so my apologies for the lack of blog posts. We left the BVI on the third of the month and returned two and a half weeks later.
And despite the champagne-induced headaches we all had on Sunday, we rallied to throw a joint baby shower for dear friends Cristall and Lisa, who are expecting a girl and boy respectively.
So, what did we miss in the BVI? Our friends, the Shands who have a house on Great Camanoe were here visiting!!! Their visit to the BVI unfortunately overlapped our trip to the states, nearly completely. We were so sad to miss them, but fortunately they'll be back in June! Anna Drake needs to meet her island grandparents! Ha!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)