"A four wheel drive vehicle is recommended to get up our driveway". That was my first hint of what was in store for us on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Winston Churchill is reputed to have said he had no idea where the Virgin Islands were but he was certain they were not near the Isle Of Man. When I picked up the reserved SUV I was told that local driver's licenses were not available, the traffic bureau had run out of forms. Laid back Tortola. The Caribbean in February was a perfect escape from our Central New York winter.
The driveway to the cottage we rented was an awe inspiring, Z shaped, seemingly near-vertical climb to the clouds. Kay grasped the handle over the passenger door with a white knuckled death grip and closed her eyes. When we reached our destination and went out on the balcony it was worth the extraordinary effort. The view was magnificent. Bays and beaches stretched over 180 degrees far below us, from Long Bay, through Apple Bay and on to Carrot Bay. The mountains reared up on either side and we were snuggled within flowering trees. Pelicans fished below and Frigate birds flew by at eye level. The island of Jost Van Dyke was in the background. We had the best view in the entire island. At night we were serenaded to sleep by the surf below us, a counterpoint to the chorus of insects. It was summer in the mountains and the beach all rolled into one.
The hosts at Turtle Dove Lodge, Jim and Genie Foote, were most hospitable. Not only did they provide useful suggestions for restaurants and a sailboat outing but included beer in the refrigerator and rum and wine in the pantry. We had found the perfect place.
Kay picked flowers from around the cottage for indoors and the balcony table. Back home she always has flowers in the house. In the winter they are purchased. In summer they are our own. The ones about the cottage were unknown to me. Elsewhere I recognized Bougainvillea and the monster Poinsettia by the driveway. I am more accustomed to Poinsettias in little pots, not plants that tower over me. I was soon to see stranger flora at the J. R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens.
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