Blogs from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Central America Caribbean
Pictures from trip
Published: March 4th 2012Central America Caribbean » British Virgin Islands » Tortola
February 21st 2012
Leaving cane garden as the cruise ships look set to be arriving here today. Headed up to monkey point for some snorkeling and sailing. Another beautiful day here. Looks like we may get some rain though.... read more
Penns landing marina, Tortola bvi
Published: February 18th 2012Central America Caribbean » British Virgin Islands » TortolaFebruary 18th 2012
After a long flight to Miami and then on to puerto Rico, we left San juan a plane the size of my mini van. I got to ride up front. The views were spectacular and we were able to plan our saito from the virgins Islands up to puerto Rico. Our luggage did not make it so we are sailing down to the westend marina to pick it up from customs this morning. It takes with a pleasant 4 hr sail or a treacherous 2 hour drive. The new boat is awesome. Wehave the best night sleep in years and were woken up by what seemed like 1000 cockerels crowing. Afater we rename the boat with our new decals we are off to get the luggage. Luckily our taxi driver yesterdaystopped at a store so webought ... read more
Tranquility
Published: February 18th 2012Central America Caribbean » British Virgin Islands » Tortola
Cayamo Pt 2 - to Tortola
Published: February 25th 2011Central America Caribbean » British Virgin Islands » Tortola
February 16th 2011
Better had sort this final bit out as much as I can – likely only with general thoughts about it at this point cos it ended almost a week ago! Maybe some general thoughts of cruising. The idea of doing it has previously not appealed at all – and not too sure, even with this programme, that I would be dying to do it again – until I see the next list of artists on the boat of course. Previously John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett have been on the boat so a real hot bill like that might draw me again. Its an expensive gig to get to after all, despite all the attractions of being able to see someone like Richard Thompson on this occasion three times, one of them with Loudon Wainwright which was ... read more
British Virgin Islands
Published: April 4th 2011Central America Caribbean » British Virgin Islands » Tortola
February 1st 2011
British Virgin Island Richard Branson owns an island here. We see it in the distance. I had been warned that after a few days cruising one island would begin to look like another. So far this has not been true. Each one had their own individual characteristics. Perhaps by the time we arrive at Tortola coupled with the speed at which we move from island to island and limited amount of time on each it is inevitable that one begins to blend into another. This is a shame because they all have their own attractions and individuality depending on who colonized them. We decide to do our own thing and set off to explore Tortola on foot. For the first time we begin to feel like travellers instead of tourists and it is a welcome relief. ... read more
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Published: July 13th 2010Central America Caribbean » British Virgin Islands » Tortola
May 9th 2010
We docked at Wickham’s Cay Dock for our 2nd to the last port of this fantastic cruise this morning at 8:00. We were signed up for the Virgin Gorda and “The Baths” tour at Spring Bay, which departed the ship at 8:30. The weather is again unbelievable! The British Virgin Islands are serene, seductive, spectacularly beautiful, and remarkably laid-back. Tortola, the largest member of the chain, doesn’t have many historic sights, but is abundant in natural beauty. It is very active these days, especially when the cruise ships anchor or dock in Road Town. Beaches are never more than a few miles away, and are the best on the north shore of the island. The island has a spine of steep green hills with roads that can be very steep and twisting. Our tour left the ... read more
February 2nd 2010
Tortola Sunday We went to Road Harbour, Tortola to get some supplies and a fishing licence for Alan. It is the capital town of Tortola, and has a big marina, shops, a ferry port and a very big cruise ship dock. While it is not without some charm, it is not really a place for yachts to linger, except when recharging the supplies. We anchored in the entrance, there were several other boats there. Anchoring is always quite funny, first adjoining boats watch nervously to see where you are going to put your boat, worried that you may be too close. Of course they are right to be worried, when we were in the med, and even here , we too often have a charter boat anchor very close to us and as we listen for ... read more
Happy Holidays from the Virgin Islands!
Published: January 2nd 2010Central America Caribbean » British Virgin Islands » Tortola
January 1st 2010
With the auto-pilot fixed and provisions put away in their place, The Rum Runner set sail, at a significant pace! On to the Virgin Islands to meet up with our mates, To celebrate Christmas and to fill our plates, With a Christmas feast of turkey and ham, And stuffing and gravy and a marshmallow yams. It was all delightful with laughter and cheer, Dinghy raft ups with friends and a couple of beers. We went diving and swimming and snorkeled around, There sure was lots of lobster and conch to be found. Then on to the New Year at Trellis Bay, Where fires burned brightly and Mako Jumbies Play! The anchorage was crowded and the winds did blow, But that didn’t stop the fun, the fireworks did glow. And that’s how we celebrated the holidays this ... read more
Getting to BVI
Published: November 4th 2009Central America Caribbean » British Virgin Islands » Tortola
November 5th 2009
Getting to BVI from Denver is not the easiest travel itinerary. The airport is located on Beef Island, Tortola. One option is to fly through San Juan, Puerto Rico. We were warned about flights being delayed and canceled, so it's best to fly into San Juan and spend the night before flying to Beef Island (not so bad really!). A second option is to fly to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and take a ferry to Tortola. The third option is to fly directly from Miami to Beef Island, but these flights are very expensive. We went with option #2, which cost us about $500/person in flights + $35/person one-way for the ferry. We spent one night in St. Thomas and one night in Tortola on each end of our trip, so another $250/person ... read more
