01.07.05 Then, it was time to depart for warmer climes as we had done in
2004
and
2003
so we said good bye to Ben IMG_0601 and Jane IMG_0602 as Suzanne gathered her things IMG_0603 and the limo driver appeared IMG_0604 to load us into the car IMG_0605 and go pick up the Kramers IMG_0606 as we drove through the darkness IMG_0607 which was almost dark in the car as well as the driver provided us with some unique memories by not knowing how to turn on the lights and not having enough money (or E-Z-Pass) for the tolls. But we did get to the airport IMG_0608 and celebrated passing security IMG_0609 by stopping for coffee IMG_0610 before boarding the plane where I took this self portrait IMG_0611 and this picture of Suzanne IMG_0612 as we headed off IMG_0613 and my meal IMG_0614 looked better than Suzanne's IMG_0615 even in good light IMG_0616 though both benefited IMG_0617 from being buried. Before we knew it, we were looking down on San Juan IMG_0618 IMG_0619 and stretching the wing IMG_0620 because the runway was approaching IMG_0621 for our landing IMG_0622 and we found ourselves in the air terminal IMG_0623 where this map IMG_0624 told us where we might go as the American Airlines gate IMG_0625 told us how we'd get there though we'd have time to explore the shops IMG_0626 and walk the corridors IMG_0627 into and out of yet another shop IMG_0628 as I paused for a self portrait IMG_0629 and a profile IMG_0630 and another try IMG_0631 while Suzanne and Peter found a champagne at a good price IMG_0632 before we made our way to Domino's pizza IMG_0633 where the individual pan pies were waiting IMG_0634 but the service was painfully slow though we did get back to Seva IMG_0635 and Suzanne IMG_0636 so that Peter IMG_0637 and I could enjoy our water IMG_0638 and pizza IMG_0639 before heading back through the gate IMG_0640 to boarding IMG_0641 even as our luggage IMG_0642 got on the front of the plane for the hop to Beef Island Airport. The view looked good IMG_0643 as we got off the plane IMG_0644 at the airport building IMG_0645 and took the requisite picture of the airport sign IMG_0646 even as our plane was being refueled IMG_0647 and we waited in line for immigration IMG_0648 and then customs IMG_0649 before this woman IMG_0650 got us ready IMG_0651 to check out the local license plates IMG_0652 as our car was being brought forth IMG_0653 to ferry us around the island.

On the trip to the hotel, I proved IMG_0654 IMG_0655 IMG_0656 that a flash doesn't work through a car window as I tried to capture images of the Xmas directions at the rotary but instead ... At the hotel, the desk clerk IMG_0657 checked us in but then posed for a better picture IMG_0658 so that we could get to our room and I could notice that we overlooked the pool IMG_0659 as I tried to place myself in the room IMG_0660 IMG_0661 which had nice space IMG_0662 IMG_0663 and a semi-functional bathroom IMG_0664 even as Suzanne rested IMG_0665 while we waited for dinner.

Dinner began with the clinking of glasses of the drink they called the painkiller IMG_0666 which amused Suzanne IMG_0667 and Seva IMG_0668 and me IMG_0669 as I admired the plates IMG_0670 and ate my salad IMG_0671 as Suzanne had her fish IMG_0672 and the coffee IMG_0673 closed the meal as we wandered off to see our first palm tree IMG_0674 of the trip and viewed the lap lanes IMG_0675 IMG_0676 in the pool.

01.08.05 Saturday morning we woke up and watched the wedding pictures start IMG_0677 as Peter, Seva and Suzanne IMG_0678 IMG_0679 and then Suzanne, Seva and Peter IMG_0680 gathered on the beach while I tried to get a picture of myself IMG_0681 though I seemed to have lost some of my touch IMG_0682 from previous trips. So we checked the map IMG_0683 and then headed back to breakfast IMG_0684 where the waitress IMG_0685 informed me that they had no granola so that I would have raisin bread French toast IMG_0686 as Suzanne had her eggs and sausage IMG_0687 Peter had his pancakes IMG_0688 with the wonderful rum butter and Seva had her toast IMG_0689 which prepared us for a walk on the beach where we came across a coconut and I took pictures of Seva IMG_0690 IMG_0691 and she took these pictures of me IMG_0692 IMG_0693 before we headed into the jungle IMG_0694 through the brush IMG_0695 and past the branches IMG_0696 to the view of the pond IMG_0697 and the century plant IMG_0698 before heading back to the beach to look for artifacts IMG_0699 as we made our way along the beach IMG_0700 and over the rocks IMG_0701 IMG_0702 to the sand IMG_0703 IMG_0704 that brought us back IMG_0705 to the hotel pool where Peter IMG_0706 went slowly IMG_0707 down the slide IMG_0708 into the water and climbed out IMG_0709 so that we could gather in the car and drive to Smuggler's Cove IMG_0710 over these muddy roads IMG_0711 and take warning IMG_0712 as we observed that the most educated Tortolans IMG_0713 do not gather the trash there. We were greeted by a clothing shop IMG_0714 as the beach beckoned IMG_0715 IMG_0716 and once we got past the sellers IMG_0717 we checked the water IMG_0718 as I lay down with this view up IMG_0719 IMG_0720 and this view to the side IMG_0721 which made me feel quite relaxed IMG_0722 even as Suzanne came back IMG_0723 step IMG_0724 by step IMG_0725 from her beach explorations with these treasures IMG_0726 and we passed the bar IMG_0727 and the clothes IMG_0728 to head back to the car IMG_0729 off the beach IMG_0730 and head back to the hotel where overlooking the tennis courts IMG_0731 we visited the pool bar IMG_0732 and I made my way IMG_0733 to the slide IMG_0734 and into the water IMG_0735 and back IMG_0736 though the record shows the drinks IMG_0737 IMG_0738 we had and our happy faces IMG_0739 IMG_0740 IMG_0741 IMG_0742 but no splash from my slide ride.

After observing the proper cautions IMG_0743 we headed to the Sugar Mill for dinner where we were greeting with this onion treat IMG_0744 was presented compliments of the house as I took a few tries IMG_0745 IMG_0746 IMG_0747 IMG_0748 to be able to show that our places were set with eight pieces of silver as we ordered good wine IMG_0749 and enjoyed the dipping sauce for the breads IMG_0750 before the group toast IMG_0751 as the hors d'ouveres and salad IMG_0752 IMG_0753 IMG_0754 IMG_0755 came before the main courses of empanadas IMG_0756 and fish IMG_0757 which was a little cold. After a visit to the bathroom where there was this colorful basin IMG_0758 and this collection sign IMG_0759 we settled for dessert of home made ice cream -- banana, watermelon and coconut IMG_0760 from a second view as well IMG_0761 which made us want their recipe. On the way home, we stopped at the Bomba Shack to see when the full moon was IMG_0762 and to record the shack decorations IMG_0763 IMG_0764 though filming inside was not allowed so I just took my own picture IMG_0765 and we headed off into the night.

01.09.05 Sunday morning, we noted the view IMG_0766 from our villa IMG_0767 as Suzanne had her fruit salad IMG_0768 sans hot sauce IMG_0769 and Seva had her cereal IMG_0770 while I miraculously had granola IMG_0771 before the rains came IMG_0772 as we chatted with this British couple IMG_0773 who were getting ready to depart. Back in the room, Suzanne read IMG_0774 as the rain water hit the pool IMG_0775 and puddles formed IMG_0776 by the golf course. We decided to drive around the island and headed to Fisherman's Cay where the views of the Caribbean were nice IMG_0777 as waves splashed in IMG_0778 and Suzanne gathered shells IMG_0779 while the scene got darker IMG_0780 on the deserted beach IMG_0781 as I checked the water IMG_0782 IMG_0783 Peter studied the map IMG_0784 and through this view IMG_0785 Suzanne showed off her finds IMG_0786 IMG_0787 IMG_0788 IMG_0789 before we headed for West End where the cell phones worked IMG_0790 and a boat sat ready for action IMG_0791 so we decided to drive to Road Town and explore. Once in Road Town, we passed a shop IMG_0792 and then went into the grocery store where we found cheese IMG_0793 and even the ever elusive Gouda cheese IMG_0794 before deciding not to go to the barber/braid shop IMG_0795 but rather got back in the car IMG_0796 and ate peanuts IMG_0797 as we continued our exploring until we reached Rudy's Bar IMG_0798 and took pictures of their sign IMG_0799 and license plates IMG_0800 IMG_0801 before checking the car IMG_0802 and driving off from K's Beauty Supply IMG_0803 for Brewer's Beach where the bar was closed IMG_0804 but roosters IMG_0805 IMG_0806 IMG_0807 IMG_0808 IMG_0809 were all over their side of the beach and even when we crossed the divider IMG_0810 we saw a few on the other side IMG_0811 IMG_0812 IMG_0813 IMG_0814 amid the nice sea scene IMG_0815 and more roosters IMG_0816 IMG_0817 IMG_0818 and a camp site IMG_0819 before we departed for Cane Garden Beach where Peter IMG_0820 Seva IMG_0821 and Suzanne IMG_0822 discovered the tire swing IMG_0823 against the beach backdrop IMG_0824 IMG_0825 by the bar IMG_0826 and eventually decided to go for a swing IMG_0827 IMG_0828 before we headed back to the hotel and our bottle of champagne (eat your heart out ... ) IMG_0829 as we watched rain fall into the pool IMG_0830 and assembled around the bottle IMG_0831 some cheese and crackers IMG_0832 from our excursion into town. Peter removed the wrapping IMG_0833 and gripped the cork IMG_0834 and removed it IMG_0835 and poured IMG_0836 for the group toast IMG_0837 that made Peter IMG_0838 Seva IMG_0839 Suzanne IMG_0840 and me IMG_0841 happy and made the sky begin to clear IMG_0842 as the Merrill Lynch people IMG_0843 gathered at the pool bar and we decided to head off for dinner.

Due to some confusion about the current year, we were not able to go to our first pick of restaurants and so went to Fat Hog Bob's where we had the specialty of the house drink IMG_0844 and salt fish patties (because of the rain) IMG_0845 and pumpkin soup IMG_0846 before blackened grouper IMG_0847 chicken IMG_0848 and salad IMG_0849 topped off by their home made ice cream IMG_0850 and a unique experience with a 19 year old girl being locked in the men's room that amused us for the ride home.

01.10.05 Monday morning we woke up to sunny skies IMG_0851 and went for a walk on the beach IMG_0852 before Suzanne IMG_0853 and I IMG_0854 decided to head to breakfast where she had a fritata IMG_0855 and I had French toast (of French bread) IMG_0856 covered with rum butter IMG_0857 and then some of her fritata covered with hot sauce IMG_0858 as I experimented IMG_0859 and then got right the self portrait of me and a friend IMG_0860 IMG_0861 to conclude our meal. We drove off towards Brewers Bay Beach passing this cow IMG_0862 IMG_0863 at the Bomba Shack watching the surfers IMG_0864 and this cow IMG_0865 along the road near the garbage truck IMG_0866 before coming tot he beach and admiring the Xmas creche IMG_0867 IMG_0868 IMG_0869 IMG_0870 IMG_0871 and the public facilities IMG_0872 and obligatory phone booth IMG_0873 that led our way to the beach warning sign IMG_0874 as we walked the beach IMG_0875 and admired it IMG_0876 until some rains came and we decided to try to navigate to the next beach through the ridge IMG_0877 stopping to consult the map IMG_0878 before we got to Josiah's Bay Beach IMG_0879 where we happily settled IMG_0880 and the Kramers took this picture of us IMG_0881 at the beach as we liked the other scenery IMG_0882 and wondered about Naomi's IMG_0883 even as our rented chaises IMG_0884 inspired Peter to give swimming lessons IMG_0885 and we relaxed IMG_0886 but no one more than Peter IMG_0887 until it was happy hour and the local drinks brought us all back to life IMG_0888 IMG_0889 IMG_0890 to life as we studied the bar IMG_0891 and admired the beauty of the beach IMG_0892 IMG_0893 IMG_0894 IMG_0895 often adorned by flying pelicans who would swoop down for their prey. Suzanne gathered this hermit crab IMG_0896 and we headed off. On the way home, we decided to stop at Brandywine Bay IMG_0897 and ask what year it was. After studying the map IMG_0898 admiring the flowers IMG_0899 checking out the view IMG_0900 and enjoying their balcony IMG_0901 we chatted with Cindy, one of the owners, IMG_0902 about returning the next day. After admiring the spiders in the cactus IMG_0903 IMG_0904 IMG_0905 we took a picture of the vacant Williams cow stand IMG_0906 and headed to West End where Suzanne was talking to Ben on the cell phone IMG_0907 as the sun began to set IMG_0908 and we admired the brush IMG_0909 and dropped sea glass that still needed seasoning IMG_0910 before admiring the sunset IMG_0911 IMG_0912 IMG_0913 IMG_0914 IMG_0915 IMG_0916 and heading back to the hotel for another dinner at the Sugar Mill IMG_0917 before noting this sign IMG_0918 and hoping it did not represent the policy at the Tamarind as well.

01.11.05 Tuesday morning we awoke to a nice day IMG_0919 and met the Kramers IMG_0920 at breakfast as Suzanne IMG_0921 and I IMG_0922 had eggs IMG_0923 with toast IMG_0924 which I adorned with hot sauce IMG_0925 to accompany my tea IMG_0926 before we made our way up and down the local beach IMG_0927 IMG_0928 IMG_0929 IMG_0930 before heading up the stairs IMG_0931 past the interesting tree IMG_0932 tot he hotel pool IMG_0933 and our departure for Long Beach where we were greeted with this important message about Tanice IMG_0934 and a beautiful beach IMG_0935 IMG_0936 that the Kramers IMG_0937 and us IMG_0938 were prepared to enjoy in the sand IMG_0939 IMG_0940 pictures that were misaimed. While we were walking the beach, a launch appeared IMG_0941 from this ship IMG_0942 and took some people from the beach IMG_0943 back to the main ship as this couple prepared to snorkel IMG_0944 on the wrong part of the beach and the waves IMG_0945 bounced gently as this sign IMG_0946 gave guidance and I took these Monet-like pictures of the ocean floor IMG_0947 IMG_0948 IMG_0949 through the water. As we walked back, some snorkelers began to emerge IMG_0950 and give guidance about snorkeling trails IMG_0951 though we decided to head back through detours to Josiah's Bay Beach. At Josiah's, we ran into Naomi IMG_0952 who posed for a family picture IMG_0953 and delivered chairs for our relaxation IMG_0954 and later sold us drinks so that Seva IMG_0955 and Suzanne IMG_0956 could audition for the role of mirage lady as we prepared IMG_0957 melted cheese IMG_0958 and nuts IMG_0959 for our snack before Peter IMG_0960 emerged and slowly IMG_0961 came into view IMG_0962 to describe his journey IMG_0963 IMG_0964 on the snorkel boat (with the Hoosiers) to Suzanne IMG_0965 and Seva IMG_0966 before the clouds IMG_0967 and birds and surfers at sea IMG_0968 made us think IMG_0969 about packing IMG_0970 IMG_0971 and heading back IMG_0972 to the Tamarind where we wondered if we could have a drink and change clothes. Peter drank IMG_0973 and Suzanne changed clothes IMG_0974 as I captured Cindy the owner (and kindergarten teacher and former United flight attendant) with her husband and children IMG_0975 who either worked at the Tamarind or the Dolphin place but had all found happiness on Tortola. After a picture of me IMG_0976 and me with Seva IMG_0977 and a failed attempt to get the cows IMG_0978 we packed the car IMG_0979 and capture Suzanne IMG_0980 and the two of us IMG_0981 before heading off to Brandywine Bay for dinner. Once there, Peter took a picture of Suzanne, me and Seva IMG_0982 and we went in to meet Davide the owner IMG_0983 and to admire the table overcloth IMG_0984 as Spice our waiter appeared IMG_0985 and brought us a bottle of wine IMG_0986 IMG_0987 IMG_0988 that I seemed unable to capture. We toasted the meal IMG_0989 and studied the menu IMG_0990 before digging into the bread IMG_0991 and then starting with soup IMG_0992 homemade mozzarella IMG_0993 mussels IMG_0994 and a Greek salad IMG_0995 for a good beginning. While the others split this pasta IMG_0996 I had the portobello Napoleon IMG_0997 and then we had our main courses of lamb IMG_0998 tagliata IMG_0999 duck IMG_1000 and fettuccine IMG_1001 before finishing the meal with chocolate mousse IMG_1002 and tiramisu IMG_1003 which made us feel that we might keep next year's reservation. Before departing we had a picture with Davide and Cindy and Spice IMG_1004 IMG_1005 in the hotel's kitchen taken by this helper IMG_1006 who couldn't remain incognito once Spice posed with him IMG_1007 but we slept well that night after so good a meal.

01.12.05 Wednesday morning, as Suzanne slept IMG_1008 I considered the clothes IMG_1009 and we made our way IMG_1010 to breakfast IMG_1011 where there was no herbal tea, just Lipton IMG_1012 and the self portrait IMG_1013 and self portraits IMG_1014 IMG_1015 came out well as the beach scene IMG_1016 welcomed Seva and Peter IMG_1017 in Peter's new shirt IMG_1018 as Andrea IMG_1019 appeared to assure us that there would be salt fish and johnnycakes as Peter IMG_1020 audited his expenses before the salt fish IMG_1021 and johnnycakes IMG_1022 arrived though they did not evoke the expected reaction from Seva IMG_1023 though my johnnycake IMG_1024 was good enough to make up for the lack of granola or of a suitable substitute so I had French toast IMG_1025 with rum butter IMG_1026 once more. After some lounging IMG_1027 at the pool IMG_1028 and an attempt at a close up IMG_1029 and a picture in bad lighting IMG_1030 it was time to gather our possessions into our suitcases IMG_1031 IMG_1032 and carryons IMG_1033 IMG_1034 to take a few more pictures while waiting IMG_1035 IMG_1036 IMG_1037 and to head into Road Town to the Mill Mall IMG_1038 where the only attraction was the health food restaurant IMG_1039 and then across the way to the Joshua J Smith Building IMG_1040 and to Ganzee IMG_1041 none of which produced the appropriate tokens of the trip. So, we followed the rules IMG_1042 while getting gas IMG_1043 and then flew off. In the shuttle on the tarmack at San Juan airport it took a few tries IMG_1044 IMG_1045 before we got this picture of contented travelers IMG_1046 coming back from a vacation though I'm not sure that either picture of my meal IMG_1047 IMG_1048 or my meal with Suzanne's IMG_1049 could ever show the harshness of returning to the food you don't want to eat and the weather you don't want to endure after a nice winter's trip to a warm place with good beaches.