Tortola

June 2002 and we venture back to the Carribean for a short week in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). We stayed on Tortola, the main Island in the BVI, at the Coconut Point Appartment Villas at Apple Bay on the North East Sides. Below are a few pictures to give you a flavour of our vacation:.

As with all of our vacations we spent most of the time swimming and snorkeling in the natural aquarium all around us. Our favorite swimming spot was Cane Garden Bay and the best snorkeling on the Island of Tortola was to be found at Brewers Bay both on the North coast. We spent one day sailing an the catamaran Patauche II to Norman and Peter Islands for snorkeling. Notables this year were the huge Terpon (4-6 ft long) herding a silvery cloud of spry off Brewers Bay and the Octopus off Peter Island.

Because of their excellent camouflage capabilities Octopus are a rare sight. Fortunately this one moved, we were able to then keep an eye on it and point it out to others in the group. Eventually diving down the 20 some feet to the sea floor, I scared the fluid beast enough for it to spread out and instantly turn a bluish white before it dived under a nearby rock.

We took great delight in sampling the local cuisine, eating out most evenings and at lunch time. I personally almost lived on Roti (flat bread with a split pea filling) and Curry. After sampling it at most of the island eateries the best Roti and Curry is to be found at...drum role...we have a tie..."Palm Delight" and "The Pub" (Rhode Town). We strongly recommend Palm Delight, a short stroll from our apartment in Apple Bay, for the tasty local cuisine, friendly service and value for money. Palm Delight became our regular evening dinning spot as it seemed to be for many of the local islanders. We also enjoyed Quito's in Cane Garden Bay, although more expensive the live music made it a memorable night.

An added advantage on this year holiday - we were on an old British colonial territory. The local TV had cricket - the West Indies beat New Zealand in a thrilling one day International, and the local shops had all sorts of British foods and chocolates for us to stock up on.

Last Update {June 2004}