U.S. Virgins

                             Wanderings in the U.S. Virgins

My second tour of Virgin Gorda has been interrupted by a side trip to the U.S. Virgins.  I visited a handful of resorts and restaurants on St. Thomas and St. John.  You may not know that all drive on the left as in the BVI.  I never really understood this. The BVI uses American money and the USVI drive on the left.???

Tour/Party Boat on St. John

Sport Fishing Boat on St. John

St.John is the prettiest U.S. Virgin Island. I did not spend much time here.  I was only vetted with all of the other visitors from the BVI.  Being a U.S. citizen allowed me to pass through without being photographed and interrogated like the other visitors.

I do plan to get back here to see Caneel Bay and other resorts.


Upon arriving in St.Thomas, it was clear that Africa's dust was having an effect on the temperature and air here.  I was on the east end of the island known as Red Hook.  The other ferry dock is right in Charlotte Amalie.

There are some beautiful properties here and one stood out to this wanderer.  It is called Secret Harbour.  I have no photo as I am keeping the secret...... oh just click the link and take a look.  It is a modest hotel with a spectacular palm studded intimate beach.

The Ritz Carleton St. Thomas

My next trip will be back on Virgin Gorda with a stop at Mosquito island where a hotel development is in construction phase.  This time I will arrive in Spanish Town of Virgin Gorda and ferry over to Mosquito.

Ship's Log 1772

Ship's Log 1972

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the Odyssey continues.......

The Prettiest Virgin and Positions

 PRETTY VIRGIN

I sure hated to dress in a suit for a day in Virgin Gorda.  Lots of ferry rides as most resorts I needed to see were not accessible by road.  Although I was working, I did take a few photos.  Below is a whirlwind tour of some of the nicest properties in the Caribbean. 

I first visited the beautiful Oil Nut Bay               Needs a Nanny

Oil Nut was being built when I was last here. I heard that locals get discounted rates, so weekend getaways are possible if anyone wants to visit me here in the BVI during the off season. Keep in mind that the ocean is warmer for snorkeling and diving.

Today I would choose this property over any other, but I have yet to see Nail Bay Resort which is on my agenda. 

 The service at the resort was incomparable.  I only had breakfast but my sparkling glass of water was always being filled and I was treated as a guest even though all knew I was but there on business.  They are even adding more facilities as evidenced by the construction occurring. 

This is how I arrived to Oil Nut Bay.  I was picked up by the resort on their ferry Hercules.  The sprawling beach, verdant grounds and sparkling pools were visual treats for this wanderer.  

I then ferried back to Bitter End to catch a boat ride to Biras Creek
Biras has has 4 horses for riding the spectacular grounds. Bicycles and hiking trails complement the equestrian activities. 

Looking for food service staff

The Iguana is not on the menu.  

Biras Creek also treated me as a guest so imagine how they treat the paying clientele. As they so aptly say, "You may want to come back as a guest."  

They summoned their boat for me to head back to Bitter End and I left with a feeling of great respect for the hospitality and tourism industry when a such a level of customer service is shown.

Biras Creek has a fine marina with a very safe anchorage.  Larry Page, Google Guru keeps his boat here as his island, Eustatia, puts his yacht at risk.

Larry Page's Eustatia Island

Very Nautical: Bitter End Yacht Club
Even though Bitter End Yacht Club seems to be Grand Central Station as you need to be there to get anywhere.  I finally settled at the BEYC for a while to meet with them and have lunch.  BEYC has a menagerie of shops, restaurants and gift stores.  It would be a great family vacation for wanderlusters and those who like sailing, diving and the charm of Caribbean Nautical.

It was a rough day with all the boat rides and taxis.  I look forward to a day to play in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda.  The weather was not ideal all day as well.  At least I did not pay to play on a cloudy day.  Working on such days is easier to accept.  Spring has been a mix of sun, clouds and rain.  I guess no different than most places.  The rain sure keeps the island beautiful.

I will be back in Virgin Gorda in 2 weeks to meet with GM of another premier property on the island and then to Mosquito Island (another Branson property) I am sure to eventually meet Sir Richard Branson during these visits.  

The BVI is getting a new Governor. Seems the stints are for 4 years so Gov McCleary must step down.  Yes, McCleary is his name and he stands very tall.  

He may share part of my name but I have been told I resemble the King of the Netherlands. I have been told this since I was but a poor child and he was then a wealthy prince.  

King Willem Alexander

Well these islands are the territory of her majesty and the only thing royal in America is Burger King.






MORE POSITIONS

Who wants to be an Executive Assistant, tour guide, wedding and event planner for Peter Island Resort?  After checking That Place out you may want to come live in paradise...That Place

Sir Richard Branson is developing his Mosquito Island and there will be many hospitality and retail jobs.  By the way, the mosquitoes are no worse there. It was not named that because of the abundance of little pests.

Look for better photos when the tropical sun cooperates as usual.

PLEASE SEND COMMENTS AND JOIN AS A WANDERLUSTER.  SCROLL DOWN TO THE END OF THE BLOG AND CLICK JOIN FOLLOWERS/WANDERLUSTERS.

The Odyssey continues.....

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?


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 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.

Followers Now Known as Wanderlusters

 NOMADS NO MORE

I have concluded that my followers should be known as Wanderlusters.  From the word wanderlust which means to have a desire to travel as this explains:

 

He undertook this globetrotting adventure for two reasons: to feed his  wanderlust  and to ponder his own final resting place.  

 

Hopefully my stories, photos and videos will feed your wanderlust as well.   Nomads no more and my wanderings will now feed your wanderlust to join the intrepid souls who chase dreams and follow their hearts.

 

Scroll down to the bottom of the entire blog and join as a follower/wanderluster.  

 

Thank you Wanderlusters .....you are about to be teased with a taste of the tropics.  Stay tuned.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the Odyssey continues. 

Preparing for Paradise

HERE WE GO AGAIN

I am just waiting for Immigration to process my application and then I will plan to return to the island. 


Here is a photo of my last view.

I actually lived on the far side of Soper's Hole

I hope to have 2 bedrooms so guests can stay comfortably without paying high hotel costs. My next place may be on a beach as I want a boat to dive from and to hear the ocean waves. My employer is providing temporary housing and rental car until such tropical abode is attained.


No, I will not be living like a “Jimmy Buffet song” as I will work here as well as survive on this rock, but the pleasure will be worth all the pain.

I know the rock well and will 

Required Work Permit

transition easily. The pains of
the immigration process may 
be avoided somewhat as I suffered 
through it once before. They say 
you either laugh or cry.

 I'll be getting another Virgin Island Drivers License. My last one is shown below. They are only good for one year, as they want the fees associated with renewal on an annual basis. 

I received Her Majesty's Immigration documents today.  It seems the process has changed somewhat. No police report now needed.  No worries about that stolen Japanese TV from my great filling station hold up.  I hope there are more changes that make expatriates keep from drowning in despair instead of the rum.

the odyssey continues.....

The Odyssey Resumes

BACK TO THE ISLAND

The Odyssey resumes.  I return to my island home in Tortola. The Alaska experience was memorable and it is a nice place to visit, but I do not want to live there.  My pirate blood runs too thin. The Music City was better and comfortable but this Yankee had a dream to chase. I followed my heart back to the islands.

More pirate tales, photos and videos to follow.  All comments are welcome.

I will be re joining the Royal British Virgin Island Yacht Club.
 I met the new Commodore last time here and hope to get
 involved in Club activities. I will hopefully be moving to a
 beach condo and getting a boat for diving or a hillside place
 with a view of the ocean. Any nomads who visit will get to go to the famous Baths of Virgin Gorda, the pirate haunt of Norman Island and the beaches of Cane Garden Bay. 

The Odyssey resumes....

The Odyssey Ends

Zeus commanded Odysseus to leave his Penelope to wander on a spirited Odyssey.  When he was away, many men showed attention to Penelope, telling her that he would not return.  She remained faithful to Odysseus who did in fact return to her.

I too left my Penelope to wander and must return to her. The wanderings cease. The Odyssey ends. 

the Odyssey ends.

North Side Wanderings

My wanderings took me to a strange lair on the north side of Tortola.  It was dusk and the air was hazy, heavy and hot.  We walked up to the beach and heard the crashing waves and felt a cool breeze that comforted this wanderer.  As night fell, we settled into Bomba's Shack for a full moon party.


Bomba Shack






Brewers Bay Tortola



I wandered to Brewers Bay for a day of snorkeling.  It was good to return to my element, but I long to dive deeper with a tank of compressed air strapped to my back.

Ocean Star

A wooden schooner has graced Soper's Hole lately.  Ocean Star with its two wooden tree high masts harkens back to sailing days gone by.  The boat appeals to this wanderer as an example of real Caribbean charm.  It is a refreshing change from the ubiquitous white "chlorox bottle" boats. 

Though not for a sail,                                                      

Do I seek a breeze.                                                         

Not from squall nor gale,

Just the cool air please.                                                                                     

It lifts my spirits high.
It's ice on my back.
It allows me to fly
In a vapor attack.

A tropical breeze

Of salty sea air;

It rustles the trees

And flows through my hair.

It kisses my face.

It keeps me at ease,

In a fresh embrace.

That tropical breeze.

......the odyssey continues