Buenos dias!
Well, we've just returned from a well earned end-of-winter break in Puerto Rico and St Croix - details of the trip are below. We've got a few pages for you to scroll through this month - might even take you up until lunch time! We've also (hopefully it works) added links to some of our photo albums in Facebook so you can see more pictures (if you want to). You don't need to belong to Facebook to do this, just use the links.
Read on!
Pics from the Last Rugby Game…and Mud bath
As promised, we managed to do a few dodgy deals with the media over here and secured a couple of never before seen pics of Rugby BVI style…
Beach party at Lavaflow.
As we sometimes spend a little bit of time at the beach, we get to know the lifeguards quite well.
One of them (Steve) had a birthday the other week and it was a beach party at Lavaflow beach which is a very nice little beach that not many people go to. They don’t go because it’s a bit of a trek down to the beach and most people here are predominantly lazy.
It was an evening event so, after dinner we bundled up the kids and headed for Lavaflow. From the top of the hill we could see a fire down on the beach so with torch in hand, we headed for that. It was all very cool. Nice hot fire on the sand. The stars were out. Plenty of drinks. Hot food even! Jake and Sam found someone’s Marshmallows and had a lot of fun roasting them in the fire (with Michelle and Aimee supervising) and delivering them to all in attendance. Eventually all the running around and having fun became a bit too much for Jake and he promptly curled up on a mat on the sand and went to sleep. Sam was having a ball and no way was she going to sleep! Luckily the next day was a holiday so they could have a sleep in… and an early night too! We eventually dragged ourselves away and took the kids home to bed. But it was a good time and we really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=17559&l=134c8&id=766998601
Sport
The Rugby Review
Nothing new to report this month. Everyone is still getting over the bumps, bruises and hangovers that the last two games presented us. However, there is talk of a Caribbean Tri-Nations being held over the next few months. BVI, St Kitts and St Maarten are trying to arrange something. Watch this space.
The Tennis Serve
Sam has moved up a level with her tennis and now goes on a Thursday after school with kids who are a little better than the beginners group the kids had been going to. Same Coach. Jake will continue with the beginners group for a bit longer. The attention span of a five year-old doesn’t quite cut it at the next level.
The Soccer Shorts
Dave has been asked to Co-coach the Cedar School Under 7’s soccer team. This starts in April so hopefully we’ll be able to bring you some results from that in the next issue.
The Surf Report
Jake continues to improve and is now catching waves on his own without too much trouble. There are some other kids a few years older that are really good and Jake sees himself following in their footsteps... or should that be wake?
Sam has a few attempts on the board but seems more content with the boogey board which she is mastering.
Michelle has had to work a couple of long weekend days so hasn’t had the opportunity to build on her ability. If the surf doesn't hang around much longer, it might have to wait until next winter. There is seldom any surf here in the summer.
Dave has been making the most of the ‘reasonable’ swell that has hung around for the last few weeks. The dumpings are becoming fewer and the decent rides are becoming more frequent. Maybe he’s starting to get the hang of it!
The Big Swell
On Wednesday 19 March a big swell was forecast for the North Shore of Tortola. The surf beaches of Josiah’s and Cane Garden are on the North shore. The local surfies are all barring up and looking forward to the biggest day of the season to date (apparently it’s been pretty sad this season). 12 to14 foot waves are predicted. There might be a few sickies pulled that day. Dave might just go and watch to see what develops. Those waves might just be a little too big for him at this stage.
The Rugby Review
Nothing new to report this month. Everyone is still getting over the bumps, bruises and hangovers that the last two games presented us. However, there is talk of a Caribbean Tri-Nations being held over the next few months. BVI, St Kitts and St Maarten are trying to arrange something. Watch this space.
The Tennis Serve
Sam has moved up a level with her tennis and now goes on a Thursday after school with kids who are a little better than the beginners group the kids had been going to. Same Coach. Jake will continue with the beginners group for a bit longer. The attention span of a five year-old doesn’t quite cut it at the next level.
The Soccer Shorts
Dave has been asked to Co-coach the Cedar School Under 7’s soccer team. This starts in April so hopefully we’ll be able to bring you some results from that in the next issue.
The Surf Report
Jake continues to improve and is now catching waves on his own without too much trouble. There are some other kids a few years older that are really good and Jake sees himself following in their footsteps... or should that be wake?
Sam has a few attempts on the board but seems more content with the boogey board which she is mastering.
Michelle has had to work a couple of long weekend days so hasn’t had the opportunity to build on her ability. If the surf doesn't hang around much longer, it might have to wait until next winter. There is seldom any surf here in the summer.
Dave has been making the most of the ‘reasonable’ swell that has hung around for the last few weeks. The dumpings are becoming fewer and the decent rides are becoming more frequent. Maybe he’s starting to get the hang of it!
The Big Swell
On Wednesday 19 March a big swell was forecast for the North Shore of Tortola. The surf beaches of Josiah’s and Cane Garden are on the North shore. The local surfies are all barring up and looking forward to the biggest day of the season to date (apparently it’s been pretty sad this season). 12 to14 foot waves are predicted. There might be a few sickies pulled that day. Dave might just go and watch to see what develops. Those waves might just be a little too big for him at this stage.
And you know what? They were huge. A few of the surfies from the Rugby club and around the place that Dave knows were all out in force with crazed looks on their faces and drool running down their chins. This is the biggest surf seen here in a long time. Dave checked out the surf beaches and they were all 'going off' apart from Josiah's which was too big and rough for anyone to try and surf. For more pics, check out Dave’s photo’s on:
View of josiah's from our house - normally it's flat.
Our Easter Trip
Intended route:
Tortola - St Thomas (USVI) by ferry. St Thomas – San Juan (Puerto Rico) by Seaplane. San Juan – St Croix (USVI) by Seaplane. St Croix – St Thomas (Seaplane). St Thomas – Tortola (ferry).
Before we headed away on our trip, we were invited to a small gathering at a friends new house to …sort of… break it in. We did that fairly convincingly and got home at a reasonably late (or should that be early?) hour – just a teensey bit worse for wear.
Up early the next day (groan!) and we make it to the ferry dock for our 9:30 ferry to St Thomas. As expected, it departs at about 10.10. We have a 12:30 flight from St Thomas so should have plenty of time. The ferry zips across to St Thomas and we expect to clear customs etc in pretty quick time. But alas, it cannot be. Two other opposition ferry companies have pulled a swifty and radioed ahead of us to book into the customs dock. We have to wait until both vessels and their passengers have been cleared before we can even dock. So, we circle Charlotte Amalie for about an hour and a half watching the clock count down towards our 11:45 check in time. The Seaborne planes leave from directly next door to the ferry dock. As we cruise around the harbour we see the planes being loaded and readied for departure. For once, we hope ours is late... Michelle managed to make a call to them on her Blackberry, explaining that we are but 50 metres away and hope to be there soon (“Look out your window” she says, “that’s us on that boat waving at you!”
She manages to Check us in over the phone (providing accurate weights for the family and the bags). We need to be at the plane by 12:15 latest. It’s now 12:20. Eventually (at 12:26) we are allowed to go ashore. We race thru to immigration and customs, clearing both in record time, arriving at the plane at 12:29.57. Few!!!!! That was way too close for comfort. We take off on our little seaplane and head for San Juan (Puerto Rico). We didn’t fly very high and got a good look at the various islands that we passed. On arrival, Michelle is suddenly overcome with all of the stress and pressures of recent events (one of which just might be the night before – but I never said that!) and lays down on the dock with head over side offering the fish some food much to the delight of other passengers and crew.
San Juan
Anyway, made it. Found our lodgings and had a good look around. We spent a day in Old San Juan which is full of historic buildings and forts…. and kites (it’s a tad breezy there). We spent a day at a pool and another day shopping in the biggest mall around (Plaza Americans). Sixty five million shops… and Michelle has to go to all of them. Well, she has been a little starved of shopping I guess. Just as well there was a movie theatre to occupy Dave & the kids as Michelle went to one shop twice and spent an hour and a half there the second time!
Sam asked a waitress in a restaurant whether the Easter Bunny came to Puerto Rico. “Si!” was the reply. And the very next morning, that crafty bunny had visited our hotel. Although they didn’t get to do the usual Easter Bunny hunt, the kids were pretty happy.
We rented a car for a couple of days and, after spending an hour finding our way out of San Jaun, (one way streets and many highways - if you miss the turn you're stuffed!), we spent one day at the Rain Forest which, once we worked out that you actually drive around most of it instead of walking, was quite good, despite the torrential rain. The waterfall was very cool (literally) as Jake will attest.
In fact he will attest to something else as well. On one of the forest walks he was overcome with the need to do something other than a number one. Three seconds notice doesn’t really cut it and he was walking funny for the remainder of the trip to the nearest public convenience, and Michelle will attest that that was a messy job – hence Jake’s adventure into the waterfall for a bit of a wash…
We also spent a day driving around the island on the way to a city called Poncé. Well, with a name like that, it’s worth a look. We decided to take the scenic route. Bad call. Three hours and lots of hills, bends, corners, missed turns, rabid dogs, stray goats, trash very little in the way of scenic bits, we arrive in Poncé. It is a very nicely laid out small city, especially when compared to the rat race of San Juan. It was even easy to find our way around. We took the obligatory ‘Ponce’ photo’s, had a look around and headed back via the motorway – only an hour and a half and lots more scenic!! Although, we had a similar event to the previous day. “Sorry Jake, there ain’t no toilets on this motorway either.” Same deal as before. Zero notice. Maybe the water wasn’t so good for drinking or something… Another clean up job on the side of the road and two very grumpy parents.
As luck would have it, we found an outlet ‘mall’ on the way back as well… yay… We found some food there while Michelle sprinted off to do the rounds of the Nike, Sketchers, Guess, Levi, and a whole bunch of other label stores. I suspect this place will get another visit next time we pass through San Juan. One thing Dave noticed about San Juan is that the majority of blokes appeared to spend more time and money having their eyebrows shaped and trimmed than any of the women. Hmmm very pretty.
The next morning the car is returned and we head back to Seaborne airlines for the flight to St Croix (US Virgin Islands). On the way we a got an impromptu show from a couple of ‘ladies of the night’ who had just come out of a hotel and decided to put it on for the blokes at the construction site across the street who were whistling and yelling their encouragement. We just happened to be in the crossfire. Jake commented on one of the ladies' ‘funny undies’ and Sam wondered why they were lifting their skirts and being silly. Michelle wished she would look the other way. Dave wished he had the camera.
Anyway, back into the wild blue yonder in the seaplane.
We also spent a day driving around the island on the way to a city called Poncé. Well, with a name like that, it’s worth a look. We decided to take the scenic route. Bad call. Three hours and lots of hills, bends, corners, missed turns, rabid dogs, stray goats, trash very little in the way of scenic bits, we arrive in Poncé. It is a very nicely laid out small city, especially when compared to the rat race of San Juan. It was even easy to find our way around. We took the obligatory ‘Ponce’ photo’s, had a look around and headed back via the motorway – only an hour and a half and lots more scenic!! Although, we had a similar event to the previous day. “Sorry Jake, there ain’t no toilets on this motorway either.” Same deal as before. Zero notice. Maybe the water wasn’t so good for drinking or something… Another clean up job on the side of the road and two very grumpy parents.
As luck would have it, we found an outlet ‘mall’ on the way back as well… yay… We found some food there while Michelle sprinted off to do the rounds of the Nike, Sketchers, Guess, Levi, and a whole bunch of other label stores. I suspect this place will get another visit next time we pass through San Juan. One thing Dave noticed about San Juan is that the majority of blokes appeared to spend more time and money having their eyebrows shaped and trimmed than any of the women. Hmmm very pretty.
The next morning the car is returned and we head back to Seaborne airlines for the flight to St Croix (US Virgin Islands). On the way we a got an impromptu show from a couple of ‘ladies of the night’ who had just come out of a hotel and decided to put it on for the blokes at the construction site across the street who were whistling and yelling their encouragement. We just happened to be in the crossfire. Jake commented on one of the ladies' ‘funny undies’ and Sam wondered why they were lifting their skirts and being silly. Michelle wished she would look the other way. Dave wished he had the camera.
Anyway, back into the wild blue yonder in the seaplane.
See more San Juan and other Puerto Rico photos here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=19376&l=32859&id=766998601
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=19393&l=8abd7&id=766998601
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=19376&l=32859&id=766998601
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=19393&l=8abd7&id=766998601
You can form your own opinion on this one...
St Croix
The beauty about travelling by seaplane means you’ll always end up close to the middle of town. This was no exception. We hopped off the plane at Cristianstead and walked no more that 200 metres to our hotel on the waterfront. Kids were happy, it had a pool!
We explored the town, found some food, some beer, something to go with the rum and generally relaxed and enjoyed the views, the drinks and the pool.
The next day we took a car for a lap of the island and checked out a few of the tourist attractions, including the Cruzan Rum Distillery, the Whim Museum (sugar mill) a few beaches and Fredericksted (the other main town). We also went to Point Udall - the most Eastern point of the United States. Wahoo!
Yes, we had to make tough decisions as well...
We found some more food on the way back and settled in for the night – although Jake and Dave popped down to one of the pubs for the crab racing, which unfortunately didn’t happen. We had managed to complete a lap of the island in one day and still had about three quarters left in the tank.
They ain't kiddin' about the burgers. Some good, law-abiding citizens of St Croix...
They did find a place that sold massive burgers. We went there for dinner the next night. Their burgers are the size of car tyres, only stacked three high. Biggest we’ve ever seen. Even the little kid’s burger that Jake had was bigger than McD’s or BK ever put out. Truly! A few of those and you would be well on the way to the 'Big Ass!' So after our feast, washed down with a few rums, we waddled away from there burping and belching but fairly happy.
We visited another Fort right in town which was quite cool to explore, and then caught a wee boat for a 2 minute ride to an island offshore with a nice beach - spent the rest of the day there relaxing and soaking up the sun. Back home the next day after having a couple more hours at the pool (the kids had to make the most of it as there's not too many opportunities at home!). We got off the flight at St Thomas, walked next door and managed to be away on the next ferry within about 10 minutes of arriving. The return travel went so much smoother than on the way out!
Home again. Maybe we’ll go to the beach tomorrow…
For more St Croix pics visit:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=19394&l=d8b4f&id=766998601
Weather Watch
The coldest registered temperature on the car’s gauge is now is a bitterly cold 19 degrees. That was on way home from rugby one night. Dave was almost tempted to close the windows and put the heater on, but he didn’t know how the heater worked – or if it worked so he battled on in the freezing cold and eventually made it home.
More Forward Thinking
On Wednesday 12 March, the Principle Works Department decided it was high time that the pedestrian crossings around Road Town were repainted (not that many people actually use them). So, what do they do? At 7:30 am they close off the main street and commence their painting. You may not be aware that there are only two streets that you can drive through to get from one side of town to the other. Both have pedestrian crossings. Both were closed at the busiest time of the day. There are over 12,000 registered vehicles on this island and about 11,000 drive through town every morning and night. Fortunately for us, the school is out of town and away from this madness so that wasn’t a problem. Michelle’s work is also on our side of town so it wasn’t as big a problem for her either. However, there were still a lot of angry people sitting in their cars on this day. Eventually the roads where ‘half’ opened (i.e. one lane) per street and people crawled off to work after spending over an hour trying to get less than one km. You’ve gotta love they way they do things around here.
Rat Count
The season is back on! Dave was sitting out the back the other day when a furry little critter makes a bee-line directly toward him, under his chair and off into the garden on the other side. Dave thought the rat might scurry off once he’d spotted Dave, but no. He just said “Afternoon!” and carried on his way.
The trap was subsequently set next to the main rat thoroughfare and Dave popped inside for a minute. On his return, bait was gone. Trap still set. Not happy. Next, the good old Rat Poison is laid. We will monitor the consumption of the bait over the next few days. And voila! The rat got too greedy. Not only did he eat all the rat poison, but he had another go at the trap… whack!!!! Clock another one up for the good guys.
We had a visit from the International Rat Commission the other day. They had issues with our scoring system, in that the Rats sat on Zero despite several near misses and successful attempts at stealing the bait without being caught. They also felt that leaving a Rat ‘doo doo’ on an unsprung trap was worth at least a bonus point.
We deliberated (ha haa!) their grievances and have since recalculated the tally to date.
The official score is now Us: 5 Rats, a bird and half a snake to Rats: 2.5
Cows
We had some cows visit the other day, which was quite timely. Dave has been working away out the back trying to establish a garden out of the rock pile with limited success.
The cows were sitting about looking like they owned the place and were in no hurry to move anywhere soon. The neighbor’s girlfriend had scurried away and locked herself indoors so she wouldn’t have to confront these wild beasts. Maybe she should have, because by the time Dave arrived home, they had eaten the neighbor’s prize rose which he was watching daily as it’s sole bud was about to bloom. They also ate his new palm tree and his ‘Birds of Paradise’ plant. Dave chased them up the hill with bucket and spade in hand.
The amount of manure produced by four cows was plenty to get started with. Dave managed to fill a large paint bucket (20 litres?) with some other deposits still to be collected. So, once he’s managed to get rid of all the rocks and stones, the soil might even be half decent enough to grow something.
Next Issue
In the next issue we’ll bring you … something. We'll look into the Soccer Shorts, check out the Tennis Serve and might even make a last desperate attempt at a surf report - that's if there's any surf. We might have to make it up, but there’ll definitely be something for you, promise!!!! In the mean time, just watch this video clip over and over...
Home again. Maybe we’ll go to the beach tomorrow…
For more St Croix pics visit:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=19394&l=d8b4f&id=766998601
Weather Watch
The coldest registered temperature on the car’s gauge is now is a bitterly cold 19 degrees. That was on way home from rugby one night. Dave was almost tempted to close the windows and put the heater on, but he didn’t know how the heater worked – or if it worked so he battled on in the freezing cold and eventually made it home.
More Forward Thinking
On Wednesday 12 March, the Principle Works Department decided it was high time that the pedestrian crossings around Road Town were repainted (not that many people actually use them). So, what do they do? At 7:30 am they close off the main street and commence their painting. You may not be aware that there are only two streets that you can drive through to get from one side of town to the other. Both have pedestrian crossings. Both were closed at the busiest time of the day. There are over 12,000 registered vehicles on this island and about 11,000 drive through town every morning and night. Fortunately for us, the school is out of town and away from this madness so that wasn’t a problem. Michelle’s work is also on our side of town so it wasn’t as big a problem for her either. However, there were still a lot of angry people sitting in their cars on this day. Eventually the roads where ‘half’ opened (i.e. one lane) per street and people crawled off to work after spending over an hour trying to get less than one km. You’ve gotta love they way they do things around here.
Rat Count
The season is back on! Dave was sitting out the back the other day when a furry little critter makes a bee-line directly toward him, under his chair and off into the garden on the other side. Dave thought the rat might scurry off once he’d spotted Dave, but no. He just said “Afternoon!” and carried on his way.
The trap was subsequently set next to the main rat thoroughfare and Dave popped inside for a minute. On his return, bait was gone. Trap still set. Not happy. Next, the good old Rat Poison is laid. We will monitor the consumption of the bait over the next few days. And voila! The rat got too greedy. Not only did he eat all the rat poison, but he had another go at the trap… whack!!!! Clock another one up for the good guys.
We had a visit from the International Rat Commission the other day. They had issues with our scoring system, in that the Rats sat on Zero despite several near misses and successful attempts at stealing the bait without being caught. They also felt that leaving a Rat ‘doo doo’ on an unsprung trap was worth at least a bonus point.
We deliberated (ha haa!) their grievances and have since recalculated the tally to date.
The official score is now Us: 5 Rats, a bird and half a snake to Rats: 2.5
Cows
We had some cows visit the other day, which was quite timely. Dave has been working away out the back trying to establish a garden out of the rock pile with limited success.
The cows were sitting about looking like they owned the place and were in no hurry to move anywhere soon. The neighbor’s girlfriend had scurried away and locked herself indoors so she wouldn’t have to confront these wild beasts. Maybe she should have, because by the time Dave arrived home, they had eaten the neighbor’s prize rose which he was watching daily as it’s sole bud was about to bloom. They also ate his new palm tree and his ‘Birds of Paradise’ plant. Dave chased them up the hill with bucket and spade in hand.
The amount of manure produced by four cows was plenty to get started with. Dave managed to fill a large paint bucket (20 litres?) with some other deposits still to be collected. So, once he’s managed to get rid of all the rocks and stones, the soil might even be half decent enough to grow something.
Next Issue
In the next issue we’ll bring you … something. We'll look into the Soccer Shorts, check out the Tennis Serve and might even make a last desperate attempt at a surf report - that's if there's any surf. We might have to make it up, but there’ll definitely be something for you, promise!!!! In the mean time, just watch this video clip over and over...
