Limin' Drivin' and Writin'

Taken from my car window

Cane Garden Bay offers some unique sunset photo opportunities. When the sky is clear, the colors are vibrant and reflect resplendently upon the water.

Getting a driver's license was easy this time as I only  needed to renew my old one.  The only test was for vision and I could even use the same photo. Why not look 2 years younger?

The Internet here is not very dependable.  Lime is the service provider for the island and I like to say that they are "liming" or out at a party instead of working on better Internet service. Limin' is a Caribbean slang term that is the namesake of a publication here in Tortola. 


Quito's is a popular hangout at Cane and they hosted the Music Festival on the Beach.  It seems to be a watering hole and a calypso cafe for locals and tourists alike.  On my previous tour here I was critical of the local music, but now it seems I was just listening to the wrong bands.  Quito is a fine musician and Trinidad may not be the only music mecca in the Caribbean.

I have put off diving until more sunny days are upon us. In the Caribbean that can be tomorrow easily.  The clouds are better than rain though and the trees I thought to be dead on the mountainside are flowering instead. Although unaware of the flower, it is good to know that dead trees do not scourge this tropical landscape.

Pygmalion brings his statue Galatea to life.

On This Isle'

 

On this isle' I find

A reason to wait

For life to unwind

To my final escape.

On this isle' I take

The time to repair.

Though time is at stake,

A deed I declare.

On this isle' I seek

Not freedom from love, 
But life's mystique
Has pushed me to shove.

On this isle' I build

The dream I desire.

My days shall be filled

With starting that fire.

 
On this isle' I take

A page from the Greeks:

She lives, she's awake!

Galatea speaks!

On this isle' I wake

From a dream so true.

A princess to take;

My love, where are you?


Please send your comments and join my blog.  Be a Wanderluster!  

 

         


 the Odyssey continues...

 

   

Cane Garden Bay

I am perched high above Cane Garden Bay where the view is no less than spectacular. The landlord offered me a jeep and place to stay where I cannot have guests but will get settled and move to a two bedroom tropical abode soon.  Pack your bags later wanderlusters as the Virgins will be here for you with a tour guide extraordinaire.

I must admit that Cane is one of the best beaches here and I should be very happy to be so close. It is but a 3 minute drive to the beach and
this weekend is the Cane Garden Music Festival.  I will be on the beach but could probably hear from my balcony.  Going to the beach is easy so I may arrive early and leave early.  The rum is bound to saturate all tourists and locals alike. I shall get home safe and listen to the island music from my balcony.

Quitos is a popular place here and music seems to be primary to food, drink and beach.  It is live most every night and it is where I met a fellow expat last time here.  She and I went through immigration together.  

Here is my 4WD ride in the BVI.

I would rather be nearer to town, but I usually do banking and shopping while there after work before traversing up the hill. It is Joe's Hill and what a ride!... I will video tape the adventurous trip soon for you wanderlusters so you can appreciate your simple daily drive to work . Let me just say, 4 wheel drive is necessary on the rock


Brewers Bay is nearby where the best burger on the island can be tasted at Nicola's on the beach.  I must admit they are quite good and this wanderer may just find his way there again soon but with mask, fins and snorkel as the reef there is a delight for the skin divers.

My landlord has a friend who needs a diver to cut the nets when he fishes so I will be rewarded with fresh fish, lobster and whatever else is available in the bountiful sea.

That is all for now wanderlusters.  Stay tuned.

the odyssey continues.....

ON MY WAY

                                                         BACK  in TORTOLA


The Labour Department is typically slow to approve ex pats but I now find myself in the Caribbean.  There is little for this wanderer to worry about as this has all been done before.  It's a real been there, done that except this time I get to do it  better.

Flying out of Detroit to St. Thomas (was just there hmmm) and then on a ferry to Tortola.  I enjoy watching the sea planes land and take off while waiting for the ferry.  The seaplane company is right next door to the ferry dock.

Sea planes are among my favorite Caribbean images.  They are reminders of nostalgic travel to exotic destinations of days gone by.  Before airlines traveled to these destinations, the only way to arrive was by boat or sea plane.  Although used as commuter planes these days, it is refreshing to see them take off and land right in front of you while waiting for the ferry. 

Customs is next but newbies are allowed $1000.  The ploy is to make sure that you claim everything to be very old and has little to no value. Duty is the problem with foreign countries and that is why little property is relocated.  St. Thomas is entirely different as ex pats bring nearly everything.

My employer will collect me at the ferry dock in Road Town and transport me to my temporary housing. I'll pick up a rental car the next day and begin searching for a permanent tropical abode.  This wanderer will be exhausted from a day of negotiating 6 bags along with heavy carry on luggage through airports, taxis and ferry docks.  Ahhh but the pleasure will be worth all the pain.

I made it through the medical vetting with a pleasant 3.5 hour hospital visit.  They are intolerable when it comes to details.  I did not cry but chuckled a bit at the process and how so many may have just turned around for home. Tomorrow I go to Labour and Immigration for a long day of vetting there. 

I stay in Cane Garden Bay for a month until I find my own place. 
The drive up from Road Town is quite an adventure.
The drive down to Road Town is about the same.

The view is spectacular but just about any where you live on the island there is bound to be a visual treat.

My landlord provides me with an ample supply of DVD movies and I will add MLB.TV to the media mix here. 

This wanderer viewed some properties today with a lovely BVI real estate belonger who had a right hand steering vehicle.  I kept trying to get in the driver side.  We found my Caribbean "charmer" but I may keep looking. This place suits me just fine for now. I am heading up to Sage Mountain this weekend. 

It is the highest peak on the island. I will lunch with a view of Tortola with camera in hand.

I have yet to get wet, but a dive will be soon scheduled. The lovely real estate agent that showed me places today is the daughter of a dive shop owner that I knew from my last tour here.  It is a small island for sure.

Here are some interior photos of my temporary residence.