Confessions

I have a few confessions to make!  We have lived in the BVI now for a year and a half and I went snorkeling for the very first time (in my life) earlier this month.  Yes, I have also been to Hawaii six times and never snorkeled there either.  I have a fear of the water.  I have some issues with claustrophobia and I was held under the water a little too long once as a child.  Growing up on the Northern California coast, the water temp requires that if you are in the water you wear a wet suit to stay warm.  Not my idea of a fun swim.  Yes, I didn’t even swim in the ocean until we moved down here last year! 

The boys really wanted snorkels for their birthday.  I thought they were a perfect gift so we got them a starter set with masks and snorkels.  They took to it immediately, even Reilly who was not even putting his face in the water yet.  We have taken them to a few spots and they have loved every trip.  A few weeks ago, we went to Brewers Bay at the suggestion of our favorite chef, Regis at Brandywine.   There is a nice reef to the left side of the bay and you do not have to go very far out to start seeing all kinds of colorful fish.  Chris and the boys snorkeled for a while, then Reilly got out to play on the beach.  Something hit me and I asked to borrow his mask and I was hooked!!  Half an hour later, all four of us were several yards out from the beach and really having a blast!

My second confession is that I am not driving here.  I have a strange fear of getting behind the wheel.  It has made it difficult to get around, especially since we live about 10 minutes from town and there are no regular busses.  I have not been able to get past it for some reason.  It is not my driving abilities, I drove a manual transmission in San Francisco for years.  Drivers here will just stop in the middle of the road to pick someone up or drop them off.  Cars regularly pass on blind corners.  Many of the “two-lane” roads and streets have enough room for one car, if you are lucky.  It makes it less appealing to me.  There are also regular occurrences like these: 

We're Back!

Last Fall I gave up blogging.  After a series of technological challenges (which included losing our internet connection) and a bad case of island fever, I was done.  Unfortunately, once we got the internet back, it was much slower and I was not ready to deal with trying to blog with it.  My island fever also lasted through the New Year.  Then in February, the boys and I went back to California. 

We had a much-needed 4 month break from island living.  I took the time to work on readjusting my attitude and catch up with family and friends.  Unfortunately, I could have used more time to see friends!  While at home, the boys took off the training wheels on their bikes and became expert riders.  (Well, as expert as one can be as a 5 year old!)  Reagan also became a much better swimmer thanks to all of the pool time we had. 

As we were packing up and getting ready to return to Tortola, my mom made one request.  Please bring back the blog.  For her, I hope I am able to keep up better this time around!

Since we have been back we have been busy catching up on things here.  We have spent a few afternoons playing at Nanny Cay and a few boogie boarding at our favorite beach, Long Bay Tortola.  We have been to lunch and celebrated the boys' 6th birthday at our favorite restaurant, Brandywine. The boys have learned to snorkel and Reilly is now swimming on his own!  We’ve had sushi at Origin and been introduced to a new restaurant that Chris likes called Fish ’N Lime Inn.  Overall, we seem to have picked up right where we left off, only with a better attitude this time around!

So, I hope to get at least one post up a week for my mom.  I will do a separate post about the boys' birthday, but for now, here are a few of my favorite shots from our first few weeks back:

Reagan back on his favorite mode of transport, a ferry!

Reilly limin at Watering Hole.

Sunset at West End.

Reagan is right at home at Long Bay Tortola.

Reilly is as well!

Island Fever

Yesterday marked the 6 month mark for the boys and I here on Tortola.   We had been warned that it could happen, and sure enough, island fever has really set in.  Especially for me!  Island fever is an ailment described around here as a real need to get off “the rock.”  Hopefully, we will figure out a visit to California in the near future!  The Fall has always been my favorite season at home.  There is nothing like spending time in Sonoma or Napa counties during the grape harvest.  This weekend last year I was touring wine country celebrating my dear friend Karen’s birthday.   

The fountain at Seghesio Family Vineyards.

Grapes at Acorn Vineyards.

It really became apparent that I was suffering from island fever when our clothes washer started leaking one morning and ended up flooding our hallway and part of the boys’ bedroom with ½ inch of water.  I was not a very happy camper that afternoon.   I spent the entire afternoon that day mopping and cleaning the boys’ room.  It took a week before we got someone out here to fix it, which meant a few trips to public laundry facilities.  Here are a few shots from the nicer one we used. 

The cutest laundry helpers!

Yes, living in paradise does have down sides.  Surprisingly, our power and water have been pretty consistent, but it is not always the case.   Getting things repaired, sometimes takes a long time.   Foget about finding what you need at one or two places, sometimes a trip off island is the only way to get things. I have mentioned the road hazards we have experienced.  At our 6 month mark and since my island fever is in full swing, here are the top 5 things I miss about home:

5.  Real sushi!  There is some sushi on island, made mostly with cooked or smoked fish and/or veggies.  We were spoiled with so many more choices at home.  A lot of the fresh seafood we got at home is just not available here.  Being the foodies that we are, it has been a tough adjustment.  Oh, for a nice piece of tuna sashimi and a spicy salmon roll.

4.  Our car!  We have the Jeep here, but I really miss our car.  The Jeep has its share of problems.  The transmission slips driving up our hill. The passenger window does not roll down. 

3.  Shopping!  Specifically, I miss Trader Joe’s.  We did a great deal of our grocery shopping there.   I also miss being able to run out to get the boys a new pair of pajamas or a new pair of shoes, at the same store or shopping center.  Here you have to drive to several different places and maybe you will find what you are looking for, maybe not.  If not, a ferry ride to St. Thomas or a flight to San Juan is necessary to get what you need.     

2.  The farmer’s market!  We were very spoiled to live near a great year-round farmer’s market before leaving California.  Every Saturday morning Chris and one of the boys would go load up on fresh seasonable fruits and veggies. 

Diablo Valley Farmer's Market.

1.  Family and friends!  Although we did not live in the same city as my parents, it was nice having them just a few hours away.  The boys loved spending the time with them before we came down here and Reagan asks daily about when we are going to go visit!



Riding Grandpa's ATV with Grandpa and Annie!



Reagan loves visiting Grandma and Grandpa!



           There are many things that I do not miss, and there are also many great things about being here.  Right now, however, the things I am missing have taken the forefront.  I was told by another American expat that between 6 and 8 months almost everyone expriences it.  Hopefully, I will come out of my funk soon, I have some stories I want to post about, but have not gotten around to it.  Happy Friday!