Virgin
Gorda 1999-2000
| Once again, we've returned from a wonderful trip to 'our island which never disappoints us. This year we welcomed the year 2000 with BVI friends from NY and NJ. The pictures below will help you to understand why we always return. |
The dogs (Scruffy, Bo, and Tut2) remind us of Augie (our 11 year old mixed cocker spaniel) and give us lots of laughs on the beach. This year Scruffy let Christine (Tina's daughter) bury her in the sand while laying on her back...what a laid back dog. Wish we'd gotten a picture to share.
We arrived on the last plane to land on Virgin Gorda (about 2 minutes before sunset!)on Dec. 24th, taxied to Guavaberry and were greeting old friends within the hour! Had our first meal at the Bath and Turtle restaurant in Spanish Town. Good band (though loud!) and laughter at a group off of one of the sail boats that put on quite a show on the dance floor. Ate rotis and enjoyed getting back into the swing of island time.
This year we spent most of our time relaxing on Spring Bay Beach with the rest of the gang who return to this lovely spot each December. Walked almost every morning from Guavaberry to the dock near Fischer's Cove and back meeting the friendly cows along the way. This year we had a new experience -- a family of pigs and some cows who visited us right by our house. As always, the water, boulders and beach provided just the kind of R and R we needed.
We went to the Sunday evening barbeque buffet with Darlene and John (insert picture) and Linda and Roger (insert picture) at Old Yarde Innwhich is held by their attractive pool. The food was good and there was lots of it... chicken, ribs, fish with baked potato and corn as well as a wonderful, fresh salad bar. Good value and great entertainment during and after dinner as well.
We wanted to try Saba
Rock Resort for lunch one day after all of the online discussion about
it. We had a great afternoon. Darlene and
John, Linda and Roger, and Dottie
and Herb accompanied us. 
On another day we checked out Nail Bay Estates which was hard not to do, since there are signs all over the island pointing you there. It was a long drive on a very narrow bumpy, sometimes dirt, road just past Paradise Village. The units were attractive and the pool and views spectacular. However, we decided that we couldn't stay any place where beach access was a hike away and the road would be difficult at night.
We stopped at 
on the way back from Nail Bay. Always have to get a Savannah Bay
fix while we're there. It was a very windy and relatively cool day,
so we didn't go in the water but enjoyed walking on the beach. Unfortunately
the path was strewn with trash. Looked like noone had been by to
pick it up in quite awhile.
Other favorite haunts are the Mineshaft
Cafe 
and Mad Dog's
(for lunch and drinks). This year we spent New
Year's Eve at the Mineshaft. Great buffet with ribs, chicken,
turkey, and swordfish, lots of salads and carrot cake and chocolate cake
for dessert. My Painkiller came in a mega-glass and lastest most
of the evening! Great music all evening and, of course, a wonderful
view from the deck of the fireworks at Little Trunk Bay.
We watched the ball drop on Times Square in the office of Guavaberry....since, of course, we had the luxury of a week without telephone, TV or computers...what joy!
Before we left, we took a few pictures of sailboats to encourage our sailing friends to join us in the BVIs.
As always, our week in Paradise ended too soon. We left early the morning of Jan. 2nd to catch a 10 AM plane at the VG airport. Had a looong trip home! First flight was cancelled, then we had an unplanned trip and wait on Beef Island, followed by lost luggage in San Juan. But...the luggage arrived two days later....all dirty laundry...and we got home safely, tanned, tired, and already counting the days until next year. We leave on Dec. 22, 2000!!
Hope you enjoyed our brief trip report. Feel free to email us with questions/comments.
January, 2000
