BVI (Part 2)

Jost Van Dyke is the smallest of the 4 main islands that make up the British Virgin Islands. It is situated towards the western end of the island chain (opposite end to Necker Island owned by Sir Richard Branson). Although a British Territory the official currency is the US dollar and its permanent population is around 250.

The Island is famous for 2 bars, the first being Foxy's (situated in Great Harbour) where over many years visitors have left various pieces of clothing hanging from the rafters.

From Foxy's it is a short ride over the hill to White Bay and the famous Soggy Dollar Bar.

The Bar's name comes from the fact that the bay has no jetty and many visiting boaties just anchor close to the beach and swim in, paying for drinks with wet currency.

The Soggy Dollar is also where the very popular cocktail called a "PainKiller" was invented.

Relaxing back on board where our skipper made us all a "Bushwacker".

The Bushwacker was followed this magnificent steak prepared by chef Ian.

And finished up with coconut rice and marinated fruit.

All in all just another shitty day in paradise.

Cheers Ross and Bev

BVI Catamaran Tour 12-19 (Part1)

Our sea trip commenced the afternoon of 12 March and below you can a map of the various Islands we were going to visit.

Our boat was called Annie.

Tai was our Captain who flies up from Costa Rica for a few weeks at a time to captain Festiva Cruises.  She was a delight who keep us safe on the seas and made us most welcome.  Thank you Tai and it was a pleasure to meet you and we really enjoyed our time with you. 

Our Chief was Ian who provided delicious food and was very happy to share his knowledge and his recipes.  Beverley really enjoyed the chance to hone some of her cooking skills.  Ian has his own boat and is now enjoying his time back on his boat.  Thank you Ian we really enjoyed meeting you and thank you for taking such good care of us.  Your dishes were creative and delicious.

On arrival we were welcomed by Tai and Ian who made us feel at home.  Each afternoon we were provided with some of Ian's creations.  This was day one.  Ross and Wayne made a good looking couple.

Not to be out done Susan and Beverley had their happy snap taken as well.

Then it was lunch and salads were always welcome.

Our first shore stop was Peter Island Bluff.  This was an opportunity to get a shore and to enjoy a real shower . 

It was a very pretty and was our first introduction to the many white sandy Islands.  It was the first time for many years that we had the opportunity to walk on white sand.  It was also a chance to explore.

On 25 March it was Wayne's birthday so this is the happy group going out to dinner.

More to follow.

Beverley and Ross

US Virgin Islands (Part 3)

The population of  the US Virgin Islands are US citizens, however being a Territory they are not permitted to vote in US elections.  This is also the same for the British Virgin Islands. Charlotte Amalie where we were staying is an interesting place to investigate.  This day we saw some more Danish homes.

We also visited a very old Lutheran Church.  A majority of the population here are members of the Lutheran Church or the Pentacostal Church.  Our tour guide Henry, told us that the Pentacostal Church was very relaxed regarding its members standing up and singing, reading a verse of scripture and so forth.  This photo shows the entrance to the Lutheran Church.

Inside the Lutheran Church you will see that it rather plain and has seating very reminiscent of years gone by.

100 years ago when the US VI's were owned by the Danish, The Royal Danish Administrator lived at Fort Christian.   Today it is a National Trust building.

It is a very regal Red Palace.

From here we traveled to the British Virgin Islands.

Best wishes,  Beverley and Ross

US Virgin Islands - St Thomas

 St Thomas is one of four Islands within the US Virgin Island's group.  It has a population of some 55,000 and its main source of income is tourism.   Most of their food and supplies are imported so compared to SAT, TX it is rather an expensive place to visit.  The folks here are passionate about their chilly based sauces and the people appear very happy and friendly.
We stayed at the Windward Passage Hotel and enjoyed the food and atmosphere of the place. 

For breakfast/brunch we walked about 2 blocks from the hotel and ate at the Petite Pump Room where we met Mary a very happy and helpful woman and enjoyed the view below from the deck.

Over the road from the Hotel we saw the Texas BBQ which it turns out is owned by a Texan and his Australian wife.  We did not bother to try this out as there much more interesting foods to enjoy.

This fruit stand below sadly has very little local produce from St Thomas as its mostly imported.  However, it is all good.

For the modest sum of $40 for the 4 of us we did the Island Tour.  The mode of transport can be seen below.

 

 The view on the way to to the very top of the Island provides some magnificent views.

There are many million dollar homes to be seen.  All building supplies are freighted in from mostly Florida and many of the homes located on the side of hills have one level they rent out to tourists and this is how they provide their income.

 Our tour bus took us to the very top of the Island to the home of the World Famous Banana Daiquiri.

 Here you can see the expert making ours.

 Susan and Wayne enjoying theirs.  It caught up with you after a while.

This is inside the store and whilst they show the flags of many nations we did not see the Australian flag but we did see the NZ flag.

 
 As you depart the store you can call into Caribbean Pirate Bar.

The views are spectacular and this was just the beginning of our trip

More to follow.

Beverley and Ross

St Thomas (Part 2)

We continued our trip down from the top of the Island and on the way back to the town of Charlotte Amalie we stopped at this scenic lookout.  

The view was not a disappointment.

It was rather windy as evidenced by Beverley's windswept hair.

We ate at several restaurants around the town and the Green House was a great spot to eat.

 On Friday's it's lobster day.

The Lobster did not disappoint.

The view from the restaurant added to the atmosphere of the meal.

100 years ago next year the The US Virgin Islands was bought by the USA from Denmark to protect themselves from German invasion during WW1.  So many of the buildings are Danish in design.  Next year there is a huge celebration with lots of visitors from Denmark planning to join in this big event.

Best Beverley and Ross

Fat Tuesday

We decided to celebrate Fat Tuesday at the Fish City Grill in San Antonio.
For those who are not aware of the origin of Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras, here is a "Soldier's five". Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”. This is the last day of the season and is the culmination of festivities. This is followed by Lent / Ash Wednesday.

 The staff were getting into the swing of things.  They decorated the restaurant as well as themselves.

 The food selection was interesting.

 As you can see the staff really got into the spirit.  Here is the largest craw fish we have ever seen.

Javier joined into the spirit of the day.

Ross enjoyed his shrimp and ham dish.

A very pleasant way to enjoy a late lunch.

Happy Fat Tuesday to you all.

Cheers Beverley and Ross