It’s interesting to read articles about the islands written by visitors from all over the world, and they almost always are postitive – loved the islands, hate to leave, want to come back. A recent post in the NewsObserver by Eileen Heyes, Staff Writer, was no exception.
She visited Jost Van Dyke and on her last day, kayaked in the clear calm waters of White Bay. She writes, ”Don’t go past that point,’ an islander had warned us, ‘or you’ll get swept all the way to Puerto Rico.’ But we did go a bit past the point, and then a bit more. Wondrous sights were our reward.
‘Beyond the rocks visible from the beach, we found one cove after another clustered with scores of brown pelicans…We pulled our paddles into the kayak and sat, watching in fascination. In this way we passed an hour or so, finally slowing down to island time.’
Jost Van Dyke claims about 200 permanent residents, no chain stores or restaurants, and total island ambience. Heyes was taken with the BVI Beach Bar, ‘The attraction this isle has perfected is the beach bar. Open-air establishments with names such as Ivan’s Stress Free Bar, Sidney’s Peace and Love, and One Love Bar and Grill line the beaches just beyond the fringe of coconut palms.’
Here’s a look at Jost Van Dyke by BVT Tourist Information, ‘Jost Van Dyke, a four-square mile island to the north of Tortola’s West End, once the reputed hideaway for a Dutch pirate of the same name, still welcomes travellers looking for a remote, rustic retreat and first-rate hiking trails. The best beaches are found at Great Harbour and White Bay, while Main Street is a sandy strip of beach holding the BVI customs house and several, small beach cafes famed for their freshly baked banana bread and coconut muffins. In a decidedly offbeat but friendly community of about 200 inhabitants, hotel accommodations are modest and cater mostly to the yachting aficionados.’
She and her husband visited to celebrate a birthday, and found a laid back – typical – romantic Caribbean island just waiting to relieve their stress and provide a total getaway experience. Come visit us and see for yourself.
(Read her blog post at The NewsObserver)
