VG Part 5 - Summer of the Stick Shark

A place for members to talk about things outside of Virgin Islands travel.
User avatar
chrisn
Posts: 1077
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:16 pm

VG Part 5 - Summer of the Stick Shark

Post by chrisn »

You know, I'm kinda digging this funky bun thing. I'm not really a funky bun kind of girl but I can sling my mane up in one of those, then snorkel, hike, and swim all day and it just stays there. The really great thing is, that by the end of the night when I'm starting to look like a hagatha, I'm usually too lit to care! That's pretty dang cool!

Michelle at Guavaberry had made our ressies for the Anegada-da-vida ferry the day before we wanted to go (have I told you I love GB?!) and we are up early this morning and out the door to catch the 7:30 that only runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It arrives right on time and 40 minutes and $210 RT (they gave us a deal) later, we arrived. Anegada is a flat, scrub, coral atoll so it's quite a bit different from the other Virgins we've seen. We grab our gear and start walking down the dock to hopefully find Dean Wheatley and our jeep for the day. I have to tell you, when I called Dean to the make the ressie, it went something like this..."Good Afternoon Mr Dean! I would like to reserve a jeep for Friday, June 6th." "Name?" "Mr. Honey." "Ok. Bye." CLICK...DIAL TONE...For some unbeknownst to me reason, I was totally cool with this and I just knew Dean would be waiting. He was. Dean is a very tall, very sweet and personable man. We liked him instantly. He put us on the benches in the back of his truck and drove us to his place down the road a ways. A charming little two room house with a desk, a shelf loaded with beautiful handmade pottery, a small jewelry display, and a collection of wearables. Honey signed on the dotted line, Dean gave us a map, handed us the keys to a white Grand Vitara and says to "have fun!" Can I just say that we did him up proud?

<a href="http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C_1072.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C_1072.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

We head down the road toward our first destination of the day, Loblolly. Anegada is a trip! I thought I remember Dean telling us that it's only something like 26 ft above sea level at its highest point and despite the fact that there are about 200 resident's, it's almost totally deserted everywhere. There are like 2 main roads on the entire island, half of them being cement, and half of them being sand and there are goats everywhere. The goats aren't like STJ's goats, or even VG's goats (they all have different island goat personalities), they are skittish as hell! Almost like they just know someone's going to ping a rock at them at any given moment. The poor little fellas! So we drive straight out to Lloblolly and park the car cause a Grand Vitara is not a Jeep, it's a CAR, and Drama Girl jumps out announcing that she needed the ladies room "NOW!" Well, there is one for Adam, one for Eve, and one for Adam & Eve! Since Eve's was closed, she had to settle for Adams. She flew out of there after about 6 seconds shouting that there were "FLYING THINGS IN THERE!" Oh Gawd! Not a flying thing? She doesn't do island pots very well does she?

<a href="http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C_1073.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C_1073.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

After that scene, we take a peek in the restaurant, where not a soul is around, then head down to the dazzling Lloblolly Bay. It's completely deserted and it's incredible! Nick and Honey can't wait to get into the water while Drama Girl and I just stripped off our cover ups and started limming on the sand. So I am watching the boys enjoy their snorkel when I noticed that Critter Boy has turned into Michael Phelps and is breaking the speed barrier through the water and toward us girls on the beach. My inner mommy kicked in and I got up and headed toward him knowing something was up. I got real concerned as soon as I saw his face come up out of the water. He couldn't get to the land quick enough, he was practically clawing his way up the beach like he had fire on his tail. I ran over to him and he's really, really upset. He's shaking and he has big alligator tears in his eyes. I grabbed his shoulders "WHATS WRONG!?" "SSSSSHHHHHHAAAARRRRKKKKK!" "There's a shark! Dad wouldn't listen to me. He's still out there and it's going to eat him mom!" My eyes shot to where Honey was and he certainly wasn't seeming like he was making his way back in, so I kept my cool and continued to watch. As I scanned my eyes across the horizon, Nick says "THERE! RIGHT THERE!" At first glance, I did see a fin slicing through the water and it took me about 5 minutes to calm him down as he kept trying like hell to get his dad's attention. After about 5 more minutes, Honey's head pops up and he sees Nick waving frantically for him to come in. He heads leisurely toward us, and as he reaches the beach, Shark Boy grabs him and drags him out of the water. He is laughing and he says "the shark was a stick mama's boy! I told you it was all cool! Look, there it is." Sure enough, that fin he and I saw slicing through the waves was a big, dorsal shaped, shark colored stick! Mean daddy and the a$$ formerly known as Honey then stalked up the beach saying "told you mama's boy!" and that's all I have to say about that.

<a href="http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C_1075.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C_1075.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Even after realizing his shark was a stick, and telling me for the last 6 months that he hoped he was going to see a shark, that kid stuck to the sand like glue and built sand castles for the rest of the morning while we BBQ'd ourselves like shishkabobs. Honey snorkeled solo the rest of the morning and followed 4 divers that showed up as far as he could before giving up and coming in. By now we are getting good and thirsty, so we decide to head up to the bar and see if anyone is there yet. Score! The four of us cop a squat on the stools where we met fellow bartenders Charly and Ceon, then ordered up 4 Pina Coladas pronto! OMG! They were so damn good, I'm salivating here just thinking about them. The best PC's of the trip bar none! After a couple hours, 3 more cups of that nectar of the Gods, and Drama Girl's passing out in the hammock we were fast friends with Charly, Ceon, and a really great charter couple sitting at the bar with us. We were having good fun reading all the driftwood plaques nailed to the roof when Charly says "you can make one you know." "WHAT!? We can? Cool! I want to play plaque!" He whips out a magnifying glass and says to take a walkabout to find some driftwood. "NO WAY!?" I say, and he says "yes, yes, you can do it. It's easy." So I am really digging the idea of this but I didn't do girl scouts and I'm not a boy so I've never played ant burning with a magnifying glass before. I tell Honey cause now that I've had a couple 3 feel goods in me he's Honey again, to go and find us a choice piece of wood. After a sarcastic boy remark, he does like he's told. Good boy. He comes back with the wood and asks me if I thought it would work. Yes! It already had an Ni burned into to it so we even had a head start! Ok, that is the freaking coolest thing EVER! I had no idea that you could do that and do it that quickly. It only took about 30 minutes and we all got to take a turn. After our plaque was done, Drama Girl and I climbed up on the bar and nailed our plaque home. I was so excited that we were leaving our mark on the island. It had to be one of the coolest things we did, and I'd be willing to bet money and booze that we are the only dorks from Utah with a plaque hanging loose at the Lloblolly Beach Bar on the island of Anegada! That is the coolness!

<a href="http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C00527.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C00527.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C00528.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C00528.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

By this time, the kitchen is fired up and the lobsters are calling our names. It's a good thing we had placed our order earlier in the day cause day trippers were starting to come in droves. We have a sitdown at the table with our name on it and were thoroughly enjoying some more of that nectar of the Gods when sweet server girl wearing rasta hat comes over with our sea bugs. I mean, you can't visit Anegada without having a lobster right? Isn't that like a mortal sin or something? I'm going to include my one and only example of food porn cause I figured the forum peeps would lynch me if I didn't. Enjoy it, we sure as hell did! Can I just say YUM! After lunch, Ceon is digging Drama Girl so much that he has her bartending for him! She had so much fun and we had so much fun watching her! Finally, we made rounds of farewell to all our new Anegada friends, settled up, then hit the road. So many places, so little time you know? So not sure I mentioned this but I was damn bound and determined to find the famous pink flamingos before leaving that island and had Honey off roading through the sand all over the place. Pretty soon he stops and says "there they are!" We all hop out of the car and I'm like "where? I don't see sh*t!" The kids don't see anything either and he thinks we're all blind as bats. I think he's hallucinating and said so. He bet me $10 that they were there and throws us all in the car in the direction of his hallucination. It took about 25 minutes and some scary side sand roads leading to the ponds but that freak with the x-ray vision found the flamingos for me! Because of their proximity, we couldn't get close enough to get a great shot but I was thrilled that we found them all the same. For those of you wondering, I did pay him the $10, even if it was his money. I'm good for a bet, at least I paid him right?

<a href="http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C00531.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C00531.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

So after finding the birds we realized we needed to head over to Cow Wreck to be able to spend some time over there and off we went. Another stunner of perfection! The kids hit the beach while Honey and I have a sit down at the bar and had a lovely chat and made friends with the equally lovely Belle. We ordered a couple of Margaritas and she poured them so heavy we were convinced she was trying to make us pass out so we would miss the ferry and have to stay overnight in one of the charming little beach cottages! We had a fabulous time spending some time with that sweet, gracious lady. From this point on, when I think of serenity (which is my fave word), Memories of Cow Wreck will fill my mind. Time spent at this most special place is where I felt my most at east, my most relaxed, and didn't have a speck of care in the world. After our chat, we headed down to the beach where Honey helped Shark Boy with the construction of his sand castle as Drama girl wrote poetic in the sand and I had me a little, serene walk about. I cannot even begin to describe the feeling here, and being that there is NOTHING to do, I know it's not for everyone, but there is something magical there and it called to me. You probably know by now though that I'm slightly psycho so that little tidbit should come as no big surprise.

<a href="http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C00545.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C00545.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C00543.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C00543.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

After spending some real happy heart time at Cow Wreck and with Belle, unfortunately it's time to be heading back to Dean's place. When we arrive, Dean's wife Henny is there to greet us, then Dean himself comes ambling up asking about our day. Boy did we have stories to tell! He laughed and laughed as he listened to us go on and on. Henny couldn't believe we found the flamingos. I could not leave without purchasing one of the gorgeous dip dishes she makes and now at home whenever I'm scarfing artichoke dip, I'll think of Dean and Henny, Belle, Charly & Ceon and the plaque, and I will smile.

<a href="http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C_1310.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C_1310.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Dean drove us back to town where we had a few minutes to shop before catching the ferry back to VG. Finally making it back to home base, we head to the cottage and clean up for the Jumbies beach bar-b-que at Leverick Bay. Arriving at Leverick we grab a table then head to the buffet. Drama Girl starts knocking back Mocko Punch before we even sat down and by the time the show started, booze girl was three sheets to the wind. I mean totally crunk. Crunk is when you feel like you're acting cool drunk but you're really just drunk. The dinner was one of my faves all week. Really good food, and the kids had so much fun dancing and partying the night away. It was good, good times!

<a href="http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C00566.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/ ... C00566.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Next Up: Ponce and the Big Brown Bear
jmq
Posts: 2373
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:32 am
Location: NJ

Post by jmq »

Thats a long day - daytrip to Anegada AND the Leverick Bay BBQ back on VG?
Impressive planning and stamina.

Fun text and nice photos. Good thing lobster season doesnt end til July 1.

Ha! We rented from Dean also. He and his wife are charming, as are most of the folks in the BVI, and especially on ANG. A huge part of the appeal for many.

Did you all think the snorkeling was a little difficult at CWB and Loblolly? We battled currents at CWB and too shallow coral at Loblolloy. Then again we were there during full moon and the extra low tide fell during the day which probably exacerbated conditions.
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Xislandgirl
Posts: 4163
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
Location: Slightly left of center

Post by Xislandgirl »

I love this report!
Image
User avatar
RickG
Posts: 5397
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:06 pm
Location: Coral Bay, St. John

Post by RickG »

You are really cracking me up, great stuff!

I think you and jmq are going to be responsible for some VG and Anegada trips soon come!

Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
User avatar
liamsaunt
Posts: 5968
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:08 pm

Post by liamsaunt »

I have really been enjoying reading your report. You are so funny!

Your kids are beautiful too. :)
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
b-as-u-r
Posts: 958
Joined: Sat Oct 28, 2006 8:44 am
Location: AliMac from F.V., CT

Post by b-as-u-r »

You certainly have my attention. Your reports are very entertaining. You are hilarious! (Great pics too.) Ali~
STJ - I "get it"
Lex
Posts: 918
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:23 pm
Location: northeast US

Post by Lex »

I'm enjoying your reports a lot. We'd thought about a day trip to Anegada when we were on VG last fall, but there ended up being so much we wanted to do and see on VG that we just never got off the island. We're thinking about tacking a few days on Anegada onto our next trip to VG.
User avatar
martini girl
Posts: 329
Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:29 pm
Location: Pennsylvania

Post by martini girl »

Your reports are fabulous! Enjoying them sooo much.
One problem with all these non-STJ trip reports, though, is I find myself wanting to go to Virgin Gorda, then I read about Anegada, so now I want to go to Anegada, THEN I read another report about Anguilla, now I want to try Anguilla.

I can't stand it anymore!!!

...just keep them coming.
User avatar
ccasebolt
Posts: 923
Joined: Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:56 pm
Location: Boxborough, MA

Post by ccasebolt »

Me too! Now you have me trying to figure out how we can spend time on VG, Anegada, Jost, AND STJ on our next trip :!:

I need more money and more vacation :(
Image
User avatar
jayseadee
Posts: 2312
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:16 pm
Location: New England

Post by jayseadee »

Another great day!

I was a Maine lobster snob until I had one of those Big Bamboo lobster lunches - YUM!!

Happy to see thaqt someone else got excited about the Anegada flamingoes :wink:

I hope you're "stuck" somewhere and never coming home because I don't want these great reports to end!
janet
brenda
Posts: 1572
Joined: Sat Apr 07, 2007 4:51 pm
Location: michigan

Post by brenda »

Chris,
Your trip report thus far is awesome and entertaining. I knew you wouldn't disappoint. I read your last STJ trip report on TA. You have a one hell of a sense of humor and are a great writer.
Going "home" again October 26th!
budman
Posts: 160
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:51 pm
Location: va

Post by budman »

Chrisn,

I just re-read some of your reports, they're great! I've spent a few day trips to VG, but never Anegada. I think I want to go!

Thanks for writing!
Budman
Kentuckygirl
Posts: 1903
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:17 am
Location: Kentucky

Post by Kentuckygirl »

I'm loving your reports and your pictures too! I was just talking to my husband about trying VG. Like ccasebolt, I would like to fit STJ, VG, and Anegada into one trip.
Image[/url]
designbyroe
Posts: 1348
Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:27 pm
Location: Chilaxin on White Bay at least in my mind

Post by designbyroe »

ccasebolt wrote:Me too! Now you have me trying to figure out how we can spend time on VG, Anegada, Jost, AND STJ on our next trip :!:

I need more money and more vacation :(
I was about to post the same thing Chris.........great minds think alike...........lol
Image





There's no $ sign on a peace of mind, this I've come to know
User avatar
flip-flop
Posts: 4034
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:17 am
Location: Northern VA

Post by flip-flop »

Amazing report & lots of fun to read!

Anegada looks great!
Image
Post Reply