Now VIRGIN GORDA report!

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:04 am

I am understanding correctly - in order to reach Valley Trunk we would need to park at the public portion of Spring Bay? There is no parking/access from the road to Valley Trunk?

Also, do you have any resources for Virgin Gorda maps? I don't mind buying a decent road map (like the National Geographic STJ map) to take along with us.

I am a total geek and like to study maps and such before arriving.

chrisn · Post by **chrisn** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:23 am

We have the fancy BVI map but this one is the only one we used and the only one you need.

http://www.guavaberryspringbay.com/pdf/ ... thside.pdf
and
http://www.guavaberryspringbay.com/pdf/map_valley.pdf

Let me know if my links don't work for you. I printed them off and put them back to back, then laminated them with wide clear shipping tape and kept it in the Jeep. Loved it!

If you want the fancy map or a Drinking Man's Guide (which I recommend), go here...

http://www.angelinacat.com/SALES.htm

Oh, and you MUST see Trunk and Valley Trunk. Absolutely AMAZING! Spring Bay is tops for me. There is something magical there...

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:57 am

PA Girl wrote:I am understanding correctly - in order to reach Valley Trunk we would need to park at the public portion of Spring Bay? There is no parking/access from the road to Valley Trunk?

Also, do you have any resources for Virgin Gorda maps? I don't mind buying a decent road map (like the National Geographic STJ map) to take along with us.

I am a total geek and like to study maps and such before arriving.

I dont think there is any other public access to Valley Trunk. There is a mega villa or 2 tucked back in that tree line with a private drive.

Thats a pretty good map from GB via Chrisn. According to that map, my bottom photo is of Little Trunk Bay, and your public parking/picnic area is called The Crawl/National Park. There is a sign for that off the main road. I may have another map I can look for...

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:03 pm

The map links worked just fine. Thanks!

I think I am going to order that book. I know it is a popular sailing thing and we have been know to drink just a little bit while on vacation.

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:05 pm

A couple more map links. Not NatGeo or RandMcNally quality, but good enough.

http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/bv/vgmap.shtml

http://www.skyviews.com/bvi/virgingorda/map.html

Map of The Baths
http://www.scubamom.com/bvi/thebaths/

Lex · Post by **Lex** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:11 pm

PA--

Your experience with the car rental is pretty typical. Things are more laid back on VG. Puck showed up at the ferry to give us our vehicle. The paperwork was done on the hood. When we left, we just found a place to park at the ferry and left the keys in the ashtray. That's how they do business. It's based on trust.

VG is different in a lot of ways. West Indians still own and staff most of the businesses and there's much more of a sense of being a visitor in a Caribbean culture. They're much more in control of their island. Caribbean people and culture are becoming increasingly less apparent on STJ, being replaced by a kind of island lifestyle developed by people relocating from the mainland.

We really enjoyed our time on VG and will be heading back. I wish I knew when.

Gizzmo · Post by **Gizzmo** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 8:47 pm

Sunset dinner at the Mineshaft. Sit at the small tables outdoor and also watch the chickens fly/climb up the tree for sleeping from MAGGY

REPORTING LIVE FROM VG! Maggy...I love ya!

GREAT NIGHT!!!!!!!! THANKS! ...Giz

Maggy · Post by **Maggy** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:59 am

Gizzmo wrote:Sunset dinner at the Mineshaft. Sit at the small tables outdoor and also watch the chickens fly/climb up the tree for sleeping from MAGGY

REPORTING LIVE FROM VG! Maggy...I love ya! GREAT NIGHT!!!!!!!! THANKS! ...Giz

That's wonderful. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And I am so jealous

Have a great time the rest of the stay!

Here is a picture of the roosters at Mineshaft:

Lex · Post by **Lex** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 12:45 pm

It seems that everyone finds the chickens going to roost quite interesting. We certainly did. I hadn't read anything about them before we went, so was totally unprepared. We were there early, before sunset, and sitting outside by the rail, just next to that tree. It was pretty bewildering when they first started. A lot of noise and motion. Chickens are pretty clumsy when they're climbing trees, so it's comical in a strange way. Then they finally settle in and the show's over. We went twice, for the food and the sunset. I wouldn't go to a place with lousy food and no view just to see their chicken show.

Enjoy the trip. Looking forward to a report and pics.

Lex · Post by **Lex** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:07 pm

Some photos:

The rest of the view from the table by the rail at the Mineshaft

Devil's Bay

In the caves

Gizzmo · Post by **Gizzmo** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:17 pm

Hey gang! Reporting live from VG.....This is a beautiful island. ANTHONY, we made that hike today from the baths to the end of the island. You need to do that! You have to be careful as the trail appears to end several times and you have to look closely to keep going.

Also, made to to Little Dix today. NICE PLACE! Been to the Mineshaft twice and really like the chickens going up the tree. It is just plain silly how entertaining chickens can be! Have plenty of goats and chickens in the yard here. Some bad news. I caught a pretty rough cold yesterday and had to just chill out and lost a day , but I am back now! The beaches here are probably better than STJ but the snorkeling does not compare at all. Headed to Saba Rock and Gorda trail tomorrow. The weather has been WINDY and cool so we may not make it back in the water this trip. Went to Leverick Bay resort tonight and was NOT IMPRESSED. WAY TO MUCH $$$ and NOBODY THERE on a Saturday night? Did not see ONE ROOM at the hotel with a light on. Have been told by a few locals the hotels are laying off and I believe them!

Well thats it for now. Will post some pic's when we get back home.

Thanks everybody!

Post by **Anthony** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 5:33 am

Sounds great - I am jealous! Those winds are known in the VIs as the Christmas Winds - it is usual for this time of year. Scary about the hotels (lack of guests) -

Saba Rock - I have never been but all my friends and family who have always rave. Have you heard/seen anything about the Oil Nut Bay development? I know they used to have a model and sales office at the Top of the Baths - is that still there?

Thanks for the reports and enjoy the rest of your trip!

Bob & Sharon · Post by **Bob & Sharon** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 7:54 am

Hi Gizzmo,

We are on Virgin Gorda too. We are at Nail bay and it is fantastic. love the Mine shaft. We rented a dingy at leverick and it was awful, not like st. john at all, the dingy was hard shell and the sea was not calm, we returned it after one hour and the guy was a real creep.

The rest of vg is fantastic, the beaches and the people are perfect.

how do we park to go to spring bay?

we will keep you posted as we have 10 more days here.

Sharon and Bob

Gizzmo · Post by **Gizzmo** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:46 am

Gee, We were at Nail yesterday! Spring Bay is just before the Baths on the right. It has it's own parking lot. We were there Wednesday and NO ONE ELSE!

10 more days? Lucky you!!!!! Wheels up for us in 48 hours.....

Bob & Sharon · Post by **Bob & Sharon** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:06 pm

Hi Gizzmo,

Where are you staying? we will snorkel long bay in the morning if you want to join us. call us at nail bay we are in the sundowner.

Sharon

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