Virgin Gorda... First Visit-Part One
Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:46 pm
Our first trip to Virgin Gorda evolved from the desire to see the east end of the Virgin Island chain, to visit the BIG boulders known as The Baths, and to explore a new place that could easily be combined with a week's stay on St John.
The journey began at 7:20 AM with American flights from our home town in North Central Florida to San Juan via Miami. A spectacular sunrise was visible as soon as we were in the air! Once in San Juan we had our carry-on bags weighed and fessed up our own poundage in order to check in with Seaborne Airlines for the trip to Virgin Gorda.
American and Seaborne are code share so our bags were ticketed for the final destination here in Florida.
Since there has been some discussion of FF miles and credit card points around these forums, i will add that the two of us flew round trip on 5 flights for points, erased fees, and $347.12 I also had some help from http://www.yapta.com
http://www.aa.com
http://www.seaborneairlines.com
Lunch was a GreasyBurger in Paradise at Air Margaritaville… by the time we got it, it wasn't bad at all! Nope.
Our flight to Spanish Town was on a Twin Otter aircraft which holds 19 peeps. I believe there were 11 of us plus two pilots. It was so much fun to fly low down Drake's Passage and pick out all the beaches on St John and the towns on St Thomas and Tortola. When we approached Virgin Gorda the pilot flew low and slow over The Baths; then we gently set down on the packed sand runway. Customs check-in went smoothly and quickly… from the get-go everyone was smiling and friendly.
As we exited the small international airport building, a man said "Are you getting a car from Mahogany Car Rental?". The dotted line was signed, the bags loaded, and off we went following this smiling gentleman over not a few potholes through light rain in our Suzuki Jimny.
http://mahogany.nfshost.com/
When we reached Guavaberry Spring Bay he waved and went on his way. We pulled up at the office and were warmly greeted by the two resident pups, Pearl and Roxie, followed by the owner/manager, Tina.
http://www.guavaberryspringbay.com
https://www.facebook.com/guavaberryspringbay
Tina quickly showed us around the office which is home to the honor system commissary, and the TV and wi-fi room, and then we headed off to our one bedroom cottage, Guavaberry House.
to be continued
The journey began at 7:20 AM with American flights from our home town in North Central Florida to San Juan via Miami. A spectacular sunrise was visible as soon as we were in the air! Once in San Juan we had our carry-on bags weighed and fessed up our own poundage in order to check in with Seaborne Airlines for the trip to Virgin Gorda.
American and Seaborne are code share so our bags were ticketed for the final destination here in Florida.
Since there has been some discussion of FF miles and credit card points around these forums, i will add that the two of us flew round trip on 5 flights for points, erased fees, and $347.12 I also had some help from http://www.yapta.com
http://www.aa.com
http://www.seaborneairlines.com
Lunch was a GreasyBurger in Paradise at Air Margaritaville… by the time we got it, it wasn't bad at all! Nope.
Our flight to Spanish Town was on a Twin Otter aircraft which holds 19 peeps. I believe there were 11 of us plus two pilots. It was so much fun to fly low down Drake's Passage and pick out all the beaches on St John and the towns on St Thomas and Tortola. When we approached Virgin Gorda the pilot flew low and slow over The Baths; then we gently set down on the packed sand runway. Customs check-in went smoothly and quickly… from the get-go everyone was smiling and friendly.
As we exited the small international airport building, a man said "Are you getting a car from Mahogany Car Rental?". The dotted line was signed, the bags loaded, and off we went following this smiling gentleman over not a few potholes through light rain in our Suzuki Jimny.
http://mahogany.nfshost.com/
When we reached Guavaberry Spring Bay he waved and went on his way. We pulled up at the office and were warmly greeted by the two resident pups, Pearl and Roxie, followed by the owner/manager, Tina.
http://www.guavaberryspringbay.com
https://www.facebook.com/guavaberryspringbay
Tina quickly showed us around the office which is home to the honor system commissary, and the TV and wi-fi room, and then we headed off to our one bedroom cottage, Guavaberry House.
to be continued