We're back almost two weeks already, and I have VOB’s…the vacation’s over blues. Had an awesome, awesome time!!
Flights and ferries were fine. We love doing the stay overnight thing at our local airport, even though it’s only about an hour from home…makes that early morning flight departure less stressful, and the price is minimal with the Ramada Inn park and fly option. AA from Hartford/Springfield to SJU to STT. Arrived STT at 2:10, took the 2:45 ferry to West End, and Sandcastle picked us up in their boat at the Jolly Roger. The weather for our first week at Sandcastle was windy and not always sunny, but definitely not bad. The second week was more suited to "baking” in the sun.
Sandcastle was wonderful as usual. Busy with daysailors coming in on Sunday and Monday, Memorial Day weekend...not quite so busy the rest of the week. Meals just great...their soups and salads are to die for. The staff is wonderful, and it’s like “coming home” to be welcomed by them. Had great times with lots of friends. Spent most of our time just hanging out on the beach and in the water. Saw Staci Jo (sj13) and her hubbie of one year, Brady. A bunch of us had toasted their marriage with painkillers last year as they were having their wedding in Florida. Lots of good times chatting with them and the rest of the Lousiana contingent, bigger than ever this year! We had a very serious ring game competition one evening and had to continue it by flashlight!
We walked over to Ivan’s to meet up with Sharon (sharnightqueen) and catch up on our lives. One day, our friends, Vicky and Bobby, from Mississippi, came in on their charter boat, and surprised us. And a bunch of us from Sandcastle went to dinner at Ali Baba's for barbeque one night, and then continued the fun at Foxy's. The Soggy Dollar has some yummy lunch items (ummmmm…great tuna melt) but we had to try Seddy’s for lunch one day. Had the lobster quesadillas …yum! Walked down there with most of the Sandcastle crowd, which proved to be an unforgettable afternoon. Rueben Chinnery was playing guitar, and we were all enjoying our bushwhackers, painkillers, rum punches, beer, whatever. There was a lot of craziness including a dance contest, a musical chairs competition, and some cross-dressing involving a black brassiere top with fringe, and a teensy bikini bottom that thankfully had a skirt piece. Reuben was right in the groove with an extra silly "bamboo banana" song. We followed all that silliness with a few hours of revelry in the water down in front of Gertrude’s. My stomach hurt from so much laughing!!
We hated to leave Sandcastle but we still had a second week on Tortola, thank goodness!! We stayed at Mongoose Apartments. As with Sandcastle, it feels like coming home! Great to be welcomed by Sandra and Ellie, Michelle, and her daughter. Mongoose is adding another building with 2 more units. We were so comfortable in our spacious unit with it’s wonderful balcony overlooking a huge palm plant that fills our doorway and gets more lush every year. We love walking down Mongoose Lane to and from the beach, and listening to all the “jungle” noises. One night coming back from dinner in our rental vehicle, something huge was crossing the road in front of us. It was white, and the size of an opossum, but it was a crab!! Unbelievable.
On Tortola we really just relaxed and didn't try to be on the go much. We did a lot of vegging on the beach with our good friends, Heather and Bob, who had also been at Sandcastle, and we did some nice dinners together. Enjoyed a visit with Mal and Candace in the “sky lounge”. Went to Brewer's Bay one day (met up with RickinAtlanta and Belinda there…great to see them again!). Nicole's cheeseburgers were great as always!
Snorkeling conditions this week were top-notch…clear, clear water and plenty of sun. I saw an octopus in Cane Garden Bay, and plenty of gorgeous fishies, but, sadly, no turtles this time.
The TTOL gathering of sorts was held at Stanley's this year. We missed some of the folks by showing up on the late side, as I just had to do one last snorkel on our last day. We had a great time and the lobster was wonderful…one for the two of us was plenty! Thanks to Mal for arranging with Stanley's to have enough for everyone. Stanley’s was doing a great job keeping all of us happy with drinks and food. Had a great visit with Gene and Cindy, and saw QueenFifi and her gang. Sorry we missed you, TortolaLola and Gary.
Quito had his new CD opening celebration that evening, but we didn't want a late late night. The good thing was we had heard him and the band practicing during the afternoon....they sounded great! We had heard him solo earlier in the week, too. We’re really enjoying his new CD.
We had great meals...Bananakeet…with Rueben playing, Elm BBQ, Cruz Ins in Carrot Bay - awesome pizza with shrimp and mushrooms, Myett's with the steel band playing, Quito's, and the lobsters and “Stanley’s Specials” at Stanley's.
Although we put relatively few miles on our rental vehicle, and didn’t do a daysail, I think this was our most fun, relaxing trip ever. It’s the people that make it so memorable. We were saying on the drive home from the airport that we can't remember ever being hugged so much, or laughing so much in a two-week period!!
We’ve re-upped for next May at Sandcastle, and plan to mix it up with a stay on Virgin Gorda (first time) for a few days, as well as a few more on Tortola. We go to come back!
Connie (aka periwinkle) and Lance
