BVI was HOT! I mean HOT but hey, we went in August. I do not have a great tolerance for heat but it was a lesson learned and I just have to learn to get over that. We flew out of Dulles International airport in the wee morning hours, we actually watched the sun rise while waiting in line to get our boarding passes. We had a textbook flight to Puerto Rico and then took a 30 min. puddle jumper over to the Beef Islands on Tortola. We were going to spend 10 days island hopping and then stay the 3 last days at the Agape Cottages in Cane Garden Bay.
In the BVI there are some of the most beautiful islands ever! The snorkling can be great and the food is awesome! On a trip to Anegada we had the most fabulous lobster dinner on the beach. The snorkling isn't anything to brag about there unless you are willing to fight your way out to the breakers where the reefs are but not being the strongest swimmer and somewhat of a chicken I opted to just float around in the shallows and enjoy some drinks at the bar in Loblolly Bay.
A trip to The Baths in Virgin Gorda is a MUST if you go to BVI. It is so gorgeous and the snorkling is calm and wonderful. I loved everything about Virgin Gorda, The Bath and Turtle Rest. in Spanish Town was nice and all the restuarants are basically open air. You never know when a chicken or dog is going to just walk under your table but thats okay. Its called "a different culture". You can not go to the islands and expect it to be like the USA, it isn't so don't get upset about it. We had one determined chicken at Myetts in Cane Garden Bay that would pluck your feet if you didn't feed it. My husband grabbed it by the tail feathers and gave a light tug and it left us alone after that. He didn't hurt it but it moved on to another table. I think its great! The goats are plentyful too and help keep the vegetation down.
Also, expect to be on ISLAND TIME! If you are an adventurous person and not staying at a resort expect to be on island time. Service is slow and at a gentle pace, learn to like it and accept it. You will find that after your trip the rest of the world will seem rushed and fast paced to you. It was different and hard to get used to at first but it grows on you and teaches you to learn to take your time whether you want to or not.
PAINKILLERS! Is there a better drink?! Not on BVI! The painkiller was made famous there on I believe Yost Van Dyke, I could be wrong. It is smooth and topped with grated nutmeg. It has a number of ingredients in it but do not expect the islanders famous for it to give up their secrets, they won't! You can find recipes online but some vary a little here and there. Its okay, these things are special to BVI so you'll want to go back. We have found ourselves making a few at parties and wishing we were back in the islands.
Don't forget BUSHWACKERS, another watch out I'm sneaky island drink. These drinks are smooth but loaded with rum and too many can lead to walking off short peers and becoming someones dingy ornament. Enjoy them but remember you may not feel them until you stand and wonder how the rubber chicken factory got a hold of your legs. Good luck with all that.
In all the places in BVI we visited were:
Tortola, Sandy Spit, Anegada, Great Harbor-Yost Van Dyke (Foxy's & Soggy Dollar Bar), Willie T's, Norman Island, Peter Island, Cane Garden Bay, Virgin Gorda (this includes Spanish Town, Saba Rock, Bitter End Yacht Club & The Baths).
I've posted lots of BVI photos so enjoy! I won't continue to write on and on about it as the photos do a lot of the talking. I swear bareboat chartering is the only way to go and we'll go again!
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