December 7, 2024

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands

We arrived in Tortola around 2pm Saturday November 30th. The port was hoping with 2 other big ships in dock. The top attraction is the Baths on Virgin Gorda, need to go by ferry or private boat. There was no ferry on Sunday out of our port Road Town, but there was the option to cab to end of island and catch ferry from Beef Island. We took this option because there were no other ships in port with us Sunday but Monday 2 huge ones were coming in and we didn't want to compete with them. So glad we did this!! Was a lot of logistics and web searches but it so paid off! Cathy & Rod and I were walking to cabs through port shop area where we ran into Bosco who was at loose ends and decided to join us! Bosco is tons of fun, sooo smart and entertaining. He has traveled far and wide and so open to new adventures. Loves to play all sorts of games, board, video, role playing, cards etc.  and brings so much enthusiasm and really good at teaching and making you as excited as he is about life!  He has taught me 2 games to date and many more I want to learn!

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, THE BATHS National Park

One of the coolest excursions I have done to date! The images are so great in my memory and these photos show me things I didn't even take in, when I was there! Loved spending the day with Bosco and my cousin Cathy & Rod! We ran into Eddie and Angel from ship, when they were leaving, and they recommended getting a guide to take you through caves because there were so many unique pathways. None were available when we asked, but we convince ticket taker at park entry, to be our guide on his lunch break! It was a blast! He showed us all kinds of nooks and crannies to climb into, under and through! And we practically had the place to ourselves! Typically you only need a little over an hour there to walk thru the bulk of the circular path they have established. We spent 2 to 3 and then swam in cove for awhile. Was over on the 11 am shuttle, had lunch and then went with guide from 2 to 4 and swam till 5. Had some drinks and watched sunset, while waiting for 630 ferry back to Tortola. Our cab driver from a.m. met us back at port and took us back to ship. Ride back in dark was much slower, tons of cars on road also coming back from Lobster Fest. We made dinner by 8 pm on ship! Was a great day!


By Patricia Patrick January 14, 2026
Since Janette Emerich is generous enough to share her drone photos with all of us on board the Ship, I have to share them with you all. This beauty is why I said we felt like we were in a screen saver the whole day in Rangiroa! I love the height perspective in the photos it really captures so much more. Blue Lagoon below:
By Patricia Patrick January 13, 2026
The water in Rangiroa is so spectacular, I wanted to spend more time drift snorkeling and checking out the area called " The Aquarium ". So today I went back out for a 3 hour session to do 3 drift passes in Tiputa pass and then spent an hour in an area with wonderful healthy corals and tons of fish, earning it the nickname " The Aquarium ".
By Patricia Patrick January 13, 2026
Today felt like we were inside a Computer Screen Saver! You know how everybody has one of those amazing beach shots on their home screens ? I am guessing we were in the place where most of them are filmed! Rangiroa is the 2nd largest atoll in the world, and its lagoon feels like its own ocean, it's huge! It is famous worldwide for "drift" diving and snorkeling, due to its fast moving current, crystal clear water and excellent visibility. We joined a group of 44 Residents in an all day adventure.