usvi-on-line
Trip Report 11/25/-12/2/06 - Part Two
Trip Report 11/25/-12/2/06 - Part Two
Sunday, November 26, 2006
On our last trip we planned on taking the ferry over to Jost Van Dyke for the day, but the ferry leaves at 8:30 am and we just didn't feel like getting up (we are NOT morning people). So, on this trip we were determined to go to Jost and dragged our butts out of bed at 7:30 am to get ready to go. Walked down to the area where the car ferries used to dock, across from the Lumberyard, and $100 bucks later had our tickets. I'm curious to know why, when you go on one of those tour boats, like Limnos or something, the BVI customs charge is $20 cash, yet when you take the ferry over to the BVI the customs charge is only $5, and they put it on our credit card. Hmmmm, more tourist gouging, perhaps....anyway, I digress.... There were about 30 people hanging around waiting for the boat to Jost and another for Virgin Gorda. 8:30 came and went and no ferry boats. A nice boat captain did come around and tell us the name of the ferry because we had to fill that in on the BVI immigration and customs form. Finally, around 9 the Mona Queen pulled up and about 20 of us loaded on. I chose sides poorly and had to sit with the sun beating on me the whole way over. Luckily it was a short trip, about 30 minutes, and the water was quite smooth. Pulled into Great Harbour (I think that's what it's called) and had to wait on the boat until the 2 BVI customs ladies arrived at the little shack by the dock. By the time they stamped our passports (yes! I love getting stamps in my passport), 2 couples ahead of us had a cab waiting and asked if we wanted to share, they were heading over to White Bay. Sure! We piled into Bunn's Taxi and headed up the hill between Great Harbour and White Bay. Bunn stopped and let us get out for this shot:
The other couples in our taxi were Jost veterans, they were talking about the guy who owns One Love Beach bar there who had caught and cooked them a fish last time they were there. It amazes me that this little hardly inhabited island has such devotees, but we have room to talk, this is our 3rd visit, the first on our own (we've been on the big tour boats there before), we wanted to do our own thing. Anyway, Bunn drops us at Soggy Dollar and asks us what time he should pick us up. We figure 1:30, so we have time to go to Foxy's before the ferry at 3. Soggy Dollar is the perfect beach place. Free use of chairs and hammocks, libations, $10 beach barbeque lunch, nice, clean restrooms, and happy people all around.
We veg on the chairs and hammock, walk the beach, relax, swim in the blue water, admire all the boats (I wanna be a boat driver!), ate the best burgers and sides ever, buy some T-shirts, and basically just enjoyed our first day in paradise. The beach here is beautiful
Bunn picked us up at exactly 1:30 and dropped us at Foxy's.
Once when we were there in the afternoon Foxy was there and he was telling stories and joking and came out and met our boat from his dock. This time Foxy was there, but strangely, he was just sitting in a chair off to the back of the establishment on the stage where the musicians were congregating. He didn't move or say a word, just very subdued, seemingly staring off into space. Limin perhaps? Mark thinks he was counting his money....
Aaannnnyway, had a few drinks, browsed the gift shop and decided to stroll down main street on our way back to the ferry dock:
I finally found this sign:
We even got some company:
(My sherpa and his faithful companion)
Ferry came on time and soon we were back on St. John. At customs the guy asked us if we had any food. We said no and he asked what was in our cooler
We replied, umm, wet bathing suits. He wasn't interested in checking that out....
I was thinking our walk back up to Lavendar Hill through Wharfside may have coincided with Jan&Mike's ordeal at the ferry dock. We probably walked right past you guys and didn't even know it!
Dinner tonight - Uncle Joe's BBQ chicken, mmm mmmmm. I can just smell that BBQ now....
On our last trip we planned on taking the ferry over to Jost Van Dyke for the day, but the ferry leaves at 8:30 am and we just didn't feel like getting up (we are NOT morning people). So, on this trip we were determined to go to Jost and dragged our butts out of bed at 7:30 am to get ready to go. Walked down to the area where the car ferries used to dock, across from the Lumberyard, and $100 bucks later had our tickets. I'm curious to know why, when you go on one of those tour boats, like Limnos or something, the BVI customs charge is $20 cash, yet when you take the ferry over to the BVI the customs charge is only $5, and they put it on our credit card. Hmmmm, more tourist gouging, perhaps....anyway, I digress.... There were about 30 people hanging around waiting for the boat to Jost and another for Virgin Gorda. 8:30 came and went and no ferry boats. A nice boat captain did come around and tell us the name of the ferry because we had to fill that in on the BVI immigration and customs form. Finally, around 9 the Mona Queen pulled up and about 20 of us loaded on. I chose sides poorly and had to sit with the sun beating on me the whole way over. Luckily it was a short trip, about 30 minutes, and the water was quite smooth. Pulled into Great Harbour (I think that's what it's called) and had to wait on the boat until the 2 BVI customs ladies arrived at the little shack by the dock. By the time they stamped our passports (yes! I love getting stamps in my passport), 2 couples ahead of us had a cab waiting and asked if we wanted to share, they were heading over to White Bay. Sure! We piled into Bunn's Taxi and headed up the hill between Great Harbour and White Bay. Bunn stopped and let us get out for this shot:
The other couples in our taxi were Jost veterans, they were talking about the guy who owns One Love Beach bar there who had caught and cooked them a fish last time they were there. It amazes me that this little hardly inhabited island has such devotees, but we have room to talk, this is our 3rd visit, the first on our own (we've been on the big tour boats there before), we wanted to do our own thing. Anyway, Bunn drops us at Soggy Dollar and asks us what time he should pick us up. We figure 1:30, so we have time to go to Foxy's before the ferry at 3. Soggy Dollar is the perfect beach place. Free use of chairs and hammocks, libations, $10 beach barbeque lunch, nice, clean restrooms, and happy people all around.
We veg on the chairs and hammock, walk the beach, relax, swim in the blue water, admire all the boats (I wanna be a boat driver!), ate the best burgers and sides ever, buy some T-shirts, and basically just enjoyed our first day in paradise. The beach here is beautiful
Bunn picked us up at exactly 1:30 and dropped us at Foxy's.
Once when we were there in the afternoon Foxy was there and he was telling stories and joking and came out and met our boat from his dock. This time Foxy was there, but strangely, he was just sitting in a chair off to the back of the establishment on the stage where the musicians were congregating. He didn't move or say a word, just very subdued, seemingly staring off into space. Limin perhaps? Mark thinks he was counting his money....
Aaannnnyway, had a few drinks, browsed the gift shop and decided to stroll down main street on our way back to the ferry dock:
I finally found this sign:
We even got some company:
(My sherpa and his faithful companion)
Ferry came on time and soon we were back on St. John. At customs the guy asked us if we had any food. We said no and he asked what was in our cooler
We replied, umm, wet bathing suits. He wasn't interested in checking that out....I was thinking our walk back up to Lavendar Hill through Wharfside may have coincided with Jan&Mike's ordeal at the ferry dock. We probably walked right past you guys and didn't even know it!
Dinner tonight - Uncle Joe's BBQ chicken, mmm mmmmm. I can just smell that BBQ now....
-
California Girl
I just booked a daysail with Capt. Phil of the Wayward Sailor and in addition to snorkeling, he will be taking us on a "nature walk" on Jost van Dyke. Just before I read your report, I had been thinking "ohhhh...we're gonna' have to get up soooo earrrly" so I was glad to hear you say it's all worth it! 
-
Jan&MikeVa
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:32 pm
- Location: The Chesapeake Bay
ATG, loving your report so far! Your pictures on Jost are great, sounds like you had a PERFECT day. I'm shocked that there's no crowd at White Bay, awesome!
CalifGirl - You will love your day with Capt. Phil!! We did the same trip you're talking about and the walk around Jost with Capt. Phil will be educational, interesting and very laid back.
Thanks ATG, keep em coming!
Jan (akaCharlie)
CalifGirl - You will love your day with Capt. Phil!! We did the same trip you're talking about and the walk around Jost with Capt. Phil will be educational, interesting and very laid back.
Thanks ATG, keep em coming!
Jan (akaCharlie)
trip report
I LOVE the pictures. Great report!
Bump - For MaryBeth - JVD
Bumped for MaryBeth...
-
LandLockedBeachLover
- Posts: 374
- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:16 am
- Location: St. Louis, MO
-
Kentuckygirl
- Posts: 1903
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Kentucky