Its winter here in the frozen North East. Weekly snow and subfreezing temperatures being the norm, I find myself reminiscing on warmer days. The water always calls to me year round but theres nothing like the Ocean in summer. Why not push that to its limit and join me on a trip to the Brittish Virgin Island of Tortolla!

One stop on the cruise we took over the summer was Tortola. It was an early disembarkment and we found ourselves awake at 530 am. Normally on vacation thats an ungodly hour but this particular wake up came with views that were to die for.

Opening the sliding door to our balcony we were met with 82 degree temperatures and a warm sea breeze. In the distance we could hear the calls of roosters coming alive for the day getting ever louder as our ship slowly enters the port. There is no sleeping through something like this!

Gathering our breakfast we ate on the balcony until the ship got close to pier then we hustled down to the disembarcation zone.

Today was going to be our beach day. No tourist attractions, no excusions, just sun, sand and relaxation. We grabbed a taxi and….waited…for a while. At least 30 minutes. They wanted it to be completely full before taking off and heading to the other side of the island.

The route took us through town and the driver gave us a quick history lesson as we made our way through a sparse gaggle of cars, pedestrians and more chickens. Soon, though, our taxi was heading up the mountain. The path was thin and windy, with wild curves and even wilder views. It was the size of a one way road with people speeding both up and down the mountain. Our driver was no exception. He was flying, but something about the normalcy of it all kept everyone from worrying too much. There were a few close calls but this was just their way, they knew how to navigate.

Halfway up the mountain there was a vista point where we can look back at where we had come from. Peering through the trees we saw the town and our ship! Our excitement and joy simply did not stop rising on Tortola.

Shortly after the vista point we went around another curve and began our descent. The road down almost as treacherous as the path we took to ascend the mountain. Through the trees I could see it, Cane Garden Bay, and I tried to snap a picture!

It was still around 8am at this point in our adventure but the temperature and the beauty of our surroundings had us rearing to go for some fun in the sand and sun.

We pull into a sandy parking lot behind those beautiful yellow umbrella chairs. The taxi collects all the fairs and coordinates a pickup time to return to the ship. We grab out bag, and my crutches and soak it all in.

We quickly spot the restrooms, a couple small beach shops, some restaurants and a cabana bar. Obviously thats the direction we head. The barkeeper is a nice young man and greets us warmly and asks strikes up some small talk.

Before long we are being escorted to a couple beach chairs in the front row and start setting up our home base. Crutches stowed away, medical boot off, knockoff sharky crocs on! We are ready for action.

The young man who escorted us to our section starts to take our drink order and we tell him we want something strong, we are tired of the drinks on the ship that are so watered down you can never catch a buzz. He laughs a little and offers a suggestion, a Brittish Virgin Island original drink, a Painkiller.

Well that sounded like exactly what we are looking for. A rum drink with orange and pinneaple juice made extra strong. They came quick and worked quicker. Perfection! After a second round of painkillers we were able to finally relax into the scene.

The beach stretched on forever, the water clear and warm with beautiful tropical fish circling your feet every now and then. Down the beach was a water swing for pictures and a few more food huts. The cove was full of yachts, mostly from Puerto Rico. There was a festival this time of year where thousands of people from Puerto Rico make the trip to attend.

Chelsea, my fiancee, went for a walk to explore up the beach a ways and excitedly comes back. There are some teenagers with a wheel barrow selling fresh, cut off a tree coconuts. We head back over together and immediately buy one. The guys then pull out a bottle of rum and ask if we want to spike it for a few extra bucks. I cant help but laugh while eagerly agreeing. With a few quick machete chops and a deep pour of rum, i’m handed my coconut.

It really doesn’t get much better than being in paradise, with the love of your life sipping out of a coconut. We sip and slowly walk up the beach. I walk in the water because its easier to do.

Before long we reach the picturesque area of the cove with a built in paradise swing. Hopping up into the giant swing we take a moment to be in this breathtaking moment. Small tropical fish swim at the base of the swing, the blue sky over bluer waters, the beautiful island, and next to me? Her.

We make our way back to umbrella, my leg starting to fatigue a bit, and enjoy another drink and the views. All of this before lunch, what a day! Although, hunger is beginning to creep into our minds. Drinks have a way of doing that to you.

Our host suggests a bbq spot not far away. I got the bbq jerk chicken, Chelsea the ribs, both served with rice and beans. The food was excellent. Fresh, local, cooked to order. Our dive into paradise undisturbed.

The rest of the early portion of the afternoon, before we head back to the ship, was spent swimming and playing and kissing in the ocean. The warm salty waters healing our bodies and the experience heals our minds. Tortola was a highlight of our trip that we won’t soon forget and beings me warmth and joy just thinking about.

For more island adventures:

https://readmedium.com/through-the-smoke-ac2c0b611dbf