Virgin Gorda... First Visit-Part Six

Travel discussion for Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and beyond!
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lprof
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Virgin Gorda... First Visit-Part Six

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Our last full day on Virgin Gorda came much too soon. This was The Baths day! We wanted to avoid the crowds and were at the top of the Baths around 8:30; the ticket window was not yet open, so we started on down the path.
http://www.bvitourism.com/activity/baths-national-park

The sun was shining… a beautiful day! Soon we met a couple walking up the path, and then I saw a two foot long brown snake crossing the path… I had read that non-poisonous snakes were on Gorda Peak, and I can unequivocally say that snakes are on the island… I wish I had gotten a pic! There are also some large brown lizards that turn blue around the island; the ones we saw were about 12-14 inches long.

This one was on a rock beside our cottage... who knows why he turned blue... the warm sun or because he saw me???

The path made for an easy trip down to the beach, and it had been freshly raked… very neatly! A park worker was continuing the raking at the bottom of the path when he was interrupted by a phone call; soon he was changing the caution flag to red… large swells today! No swimming in from the boats (there were only a few overnighters there) or from the beach.

This time of day provided some very good photo opportunities and the location was awesome.

To enter the Baths one crouches through an opening between these rocks… I made it into the first room, but decided that my balance issues would prohibit my going any further. My husband and maybe 4 or 5 other couples went in a short way but didn't stay long or go the entire route, only one young twosome went on.

A good map of the Baths is here: http://www.scubamom.com/bvi/thebaths/
More of our pix:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/floridalin ... 850271403/

Somewhat reluctantly we decided to move on and headed back up the path… not a bad climb.

Several cabs were unloading when we reached the top… going early was a good decision.

The copper mine ruins were on my list and that is where we headed next… not very far from us at all.
Seeing Virgin Gorda from different ends of the island provides interesting perspectives. The copper mines ruin sits right on a tip of the island. I had to wonder where else there copper might be found, and the miners from a century ago came to mind as well.

After the rain band of hard rain passed, our goal was one more lunch at Hog Heaven... definitely worth the trip! By the time we got there the rain had stopped; I grabbed a dry seat on the side and watched another rain band crossing to Sir Richard's place on Necker Island and moving toward Anegada where a couple we had met at Guavaberry had gone for the day. I could have sat there forever! My lunch was the same as the last time... BBQ sandwich and cole slaw... once again fantastic!

Later in the afternoon, we ventured down to Spring Bay again, this time, by using the public access path in the National Park instead of going across the rocks from Guavaberry's beach.
Someone had told me to watch out for the 4 foot waves when I played in the tidal pools. I know that Jost van Dyke has a Bubbly Pool and that some have been hurt there, but I really thought he was joshing.
The Crawl is a lovely small pool at Spring Bay.

On this day with swells it looked a little different. Not 4 foot waves, but visibly rough!

We really loved this beach!

One of our most interesting and delicious dining experiences this trip was CocoMaya in Spanish Town. It was after dark when we arrived and a few were at the bar and tables. Once again, the friendly serving crew made us feel very welcome and that they wanted us to have the best of times.
http://cocomayarestaurant.com/

The crescent moon was hanging low; a gas fire pit on the beach was flickering; light music was playing; the rhythmic flow of the surf was heard… our table was inside, yet on the edge, by the beach, of the open room. Delightful!

We chose some tapas. And desert. All were very, very good and well presented. By the time we had finished, most tables were full, seemingly with "boat" people. Find this place in the daytime first… it isn't difficult, but there were not many lights in the parking area.

I apologize for the slides,bites, and blurs... not really! :)

Part one of Virgin Gorda ... First Visit:
http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/virgi ... =6&t=26275
Part two of Virgin Gorda... First Visit:
http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/virgi ... =6&t=26283
Part three of Virgin Gorda... First Visit:
http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/virgi ... =6&t=26284
Part four of Virgin Gorda... First Visit:
http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/virgi ... =6&t=26287
Part five of Virgin Gorda... First Visit:
http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/virgi ... =6&t=26294
... no longer a stranger to paradise
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toni
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Re: Virgin Gorda... First Visit-Part Six

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Thanks so much for taking the time to write the reports;appreciate all the links to places too! Going to enjoy checking out some of the restaurants next month :D
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lprof
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Re: Virgin Gorda... First Visit-Part Six

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toni wrote:Thanks so much for taking the time to write the reports;appreciate all the links to places too! Going to enjoy checking out some of the restaurants next month :D
Toni, I think you'll have a great time on Virgin Gorda. I hope to add a few impressions and thoughts for my last report... I think you may have to do the dining reviews!
... no longer a stranger to paradise
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shoemak38
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Re: Virgin Gorda... First Visit-Part Six

Post by shoemak38 »

thanks for the lunch time reading sounds like you had a great trip :wink:
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lprof
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Re: Virgin Gorda... First Visit-Part Six

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shoemak38 wrote:thanks for the lunch time reading sounds like you had a great trip :wink:
Thank you! The trip was one I would happily repeat any time! Hope you enjoyed your lunch!
... no longer a stranger to paradise
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