Photo Tips Monday

Dave Berry, Director of the Photography Department at Computer School for Seniors will be sharing his insightful Photo Tips with you every Monday for Capture the Moment Mondays.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands--Welcome Aboard

Patti and I are very excited about this next port, because it is one we have never had the opportunity to visit in all the years we have been cruising.

Tortola means “Land of Turtle Doves” and it is located just 60 miles east of Puerto Rico…which, you may remember, is where we began this journey five days ago! Although it is the largest island of the British Virgin Islands, Tortola is just 36 gorgeous square miles of powdery white sand beaches, turquoise waters, lush green mountains and a sheltered yacht filled harbor. There are 21,000 people living in this island paradise, they all speak English and are very friendly.

Discovered in 1443 by Christopher Columbus, Tortola was the den of many infamous pirates over the years, and was ruled at one time or another by the Dutch, French or English. A severe drought, a disastrous hurricane and a cholera epidemic saw the island eventually abandoned and it reverted to a natural overgrowth of vegetation. Eventually, as the years and conditions passed, Tortola was again inhabited, its population grew and established banks, schools and hospitals. Since 1967 they have been largely self governing as part of the British Virgin Islands.

The Caribbean Princess docked in Road Town, which is the capital of Tortola. We hired a taxi, and headed off to see this beautiful island. As we were heading around the perimeter of the island, you can’t help but notice that just a very short distance across that inviting water you can see so many other islands of all sizes…St. John, Jost Van Dyke, Buck, Ginger, Dogs…just to name a few.

There are inter-island ferries that will take you to many of them. All you need is a ferry schedule and some time! Some of the islands are uninhabited and designated as National Parks, there are shipwrecks to dive, fish to snorkel around, coves to kayak through, and picturesque beaches to lounge on with one of those tropical drinks in your hand.

Our first stop was Long Bay –with pale blue water so inviting that you want to leap out of the car and run straight into the bay. Nearby in Cane Garden Bay was the historic Callwood Rum Distillery, where they still make and sell rum in the original boiler used two centuries ago. We went past many beautiful coves and bays, all gorgeous and eye candy to a photographer!

Our driver took us to a spot at the highest elevation on the island with a beautiful birds eye view of the whole north shore of Tortola. Towards the east side of the island, we passed thru a very colorful area of many painted wall murals depicting the history of Tortola.

The driver stopped at a last vantage point where we could catch a great shot of the Caribbean Princess docked in the harbor below as a final tip of our hats to beautiful Tortola, British Virgin Islands. I would definitely like to return to this island and be able to spend some relaxing time to really soak in all it has to offer, and maybe catch a few of those ferries to the neighboring islands too.

Our next and final stop will be St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands! Hope you will join us !!!!!!!