TORTOLA

 

We had to tender into Road Town, Tortola today and it was another beautiful day.  We didn’t have a plan while ashore, so $15.00 to ride the open taxi bus around the island for 2 hours sounded like a wonderful idea.  We were taken all around the shores and overtop of the hills that make up this rather small island.  We had a stop at Cane Garden Bay – one of the most popular beaches.  We didn’t see the long expansive beaches that we saw on Antigua, but still the fine sand, beautiful azure waters and large palms.

There are lots of chickens walking around everywhere.  It seems strange.  I imagine there is a huge offering of chicken on the menus in the Tortola restaurants.  Haven’t seen any cats around, but lots of dogs.  Don’t think there is a spay and neuter programme on the island either.  All of the male dogs that I have seen are intact and they clearly have no leash laws.  The animals don’t seem to be a problem, they just wander around minding their own business.

Christmas has definitely come to the Caribbean Island and the trees that we have seen certainly have different decorations that we are used to seeing at home.  Starfish and shells are predominant and looking quite lovely on their trees.  We were able to enjoy some shopping and a drink while we had our 45 minute stop.  I had a rum drink called a Pain Killer.  Yes it was aptly named.  Perhaps not a drink to be had before lunch…but we are definitely on Island time and it was delicious.  Then back on the bus and back to Road Town.  We were able to walk around town for a bit and see the few stores that were open on a Sunday.  I was surprised – usually when a ship is in port, the day of week doesn’t matter.  There are merchants ready to take whatever dollars are willing to be spent by the tourists.  Different here, there were very few stores open – but enough to poke around in before it was time to catch the tender back to the ship. 

All in all it was a good day.  Back on the ship, I had some luck at a machine in the casino.  I won 80 euros on the Pegasus Machine!  So glad for that win.  I hadn’t spent much overall, but the machines were not even giving a trickle back.  To have this amount go back on the account, gets me back to even for the gambling I have done!  Now if only I could win enough to take care of the WiFi.
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So tomorrow we are having a beach day at the island beach on Catalina Island off the coast of the Domican Republic.  Not sure how long I will last there, but if there is shade and a cold drink I really want to at least get wet in the warm Caribbean Sea.