Kim and I left for the BVI December 20. Kim had planned the trip so when
she told me we were going to Tortola - I agreed and had no idea where it
was. As the trip approached I found out we had to go through San Juan,
PR so we decided to take a three extra days on the front end to visit PR.
After some delays we got in to San Juan late 12/20 and rented a car. Much to our
surprise, PR is not that as English friendly as we thought and our three days there
was a comedy of trying to read signs and find people who spoke enough English to
point us in the right direction. Our trip was off to a bad start when at 1am we are lost
and get pulled over by the bad ass San Juan SWAT team because I am driving
down a one way street - the wrong way. No kidding - six BIG boys get out of the van
with M16's and greet me to San Juan. Thankfully they spoke good English (one of
the few law officials we met that did) and with a little help they got us to our hotel.
Thursday morning we left there early and head on our journey around 3/4 of the
island. We drove to the northeast end of the island and visited the El Younque Rain
Forest - and found some English on the signs!
The view to the NE from our way up the mountain.
We found this on the way up as well but no one to get both of us in the shot....
We spent about two hours in the rain forest with many views that were
gorgeous.
We found this on the way up as well but no one to get both of us in the shot....
We then headed on our way south along the east coast. We took a break from
our drive at a little roadside Cantina on the SE coast to have some cold beers
and enjoy the views of the Caribbean sea.
The people of PR were very nice and festive with Christmas approaching. As
we are enjoying our beers we hear sirens and the loudest rendition of Felice
Navidad I have ever heard coming up the mountainside road. As we go out
front we are greeted with this...
Puerto Rican's love their music - vehicles were following throwing all kinds of
things at the locals who came out to join the party as it passed by. From here
we drove to the city of Ponce and stayed the night and then headed north the
next morning back to old San Juan for Friday night festivities. We visited this
place Friday afternoon at the entrance to SJ harbor.
Looking West.....
Looking East...
Friday night we strolled the streets of old San Juan and
had a blast drinking beers, Mojitos, and Pina Coladas.
Early the next morning I saw the fleet leaving
the harbor.
We go to the airport and waited for our short flight to
Tortola. The airport was a blast with groups of
dancers and musicians strolling through the
concourse.
After a short flight, we clear customs (with no luggage!) and
taxi to our villa at Cane Garden Bay. This is what we are
greeted with!
The views from our villa are awesome. Overlooking
Cane Garden Bay we can see the Jost Van Dyke, and
the USVI off in the distance. We enjoyed every sunset
from our balcony smoking Cubans and drinking Rum,
wine and beers of course!
This was view from the top of the mountain looking
down on Cane Garden Bay. This is looking NW. Jost
Van Dyke is to the left.
One day we took the ferry over to Virgin Gorda to visit the
Baths. These part of the island had huge boulders strewn
across the landscape, and seascape, from the volcanic
activity that formed the islands.
We explored all the caves and trails through the area.
Afterwards we enjoyed lunch...and yes I had the flying fish sandwich!
After getting back to Tortola we explored the island a little more and
enjoyed this view of what the locals called Hurricane Hole. To the lower
left this bay went in to the island about a 1/4 mile and is where the locals
will put the vessels during Hurricanes. Off in the distance, center, is
Dead Chest...yo ho ho 15 men on Dead Man's chest...with Peter Island
to the right. Dead Chest is where Blackbeard stranded 15 men with a
bottle of rum and a pistol. They tried to swim to Peter Island. Peter Island
has Deadman's Bay - you can guess whether or not they made it.
From the pictures you can tell these islands are dominated by the
blow boaters. With consistent trade winds blowing from the east it is
no wonder. Cane Garden Bay finally had a Sportfisher show up.
And this luxuary motor yacht named "Prime Time" that
coincidently has a 31" Jupiter as it's dinghy.
We visited and snorkled at Brewers Bay one day which was one of my
favorite spots. The bay is mostly Coral so boats can not use if for
mooring.
Kimmy looking for pieces of eight....
The locals don't like you messing with the coconuts....
On the last day we rented an old 24' Mako and ran over to Jost Van Dyke.
We pulled up and snorkled at White Bay and found several rental boats
from St. Thomas enjoying the beach as well.
As we pulled in to Great Harbor for lunch we saw this
serious fishing boat.
We had drinks and food at this cool bar called Foxy's - with
some interesting decor.
Our last night we enjoyed another awesome sunset.
Thanks to DBAD I took a 7' St Croix travel rod and a Shimano 2500 with 10lb power
pro and an assortment of soft baits and jigs. I would hit the beach early in the
mornings and try for the bonefish, Permit, and other fish that were in the bay.
I had some success with the small bonefish but lost all my line due to
the 100lb tarpon I kept hooking in to. What a great time for about 30
seconds before I would have to part ways to keep some line.
Kim made a new friend while I was fishing.
