Touring Tortola

An October 1998 trip to British Virgin Islands by naomi

At the Hotel Photo - Long Bay Beach Resort, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Quote: Tortola is the most populated (and popular) region of the nearly 50 islands, crags and tiny cays that comprise that beautiful British Virgin Islands.

6 Photos

Touring Tortola

Overview

Many Monkeys Photo - British Virgin Islands, Caribbean

Quote:

The BVIs are still relatively unscathed by tourism, probably because it takes real effort and time to get here. Usually one makes a transfer from San Juan, next followed by a puddle jumper, ferry or private boat trip. But once ensconced on one of the less-traveled resorts, it's pure heaven.Quick Tips: Tortola boasts of having the Caribbean's most wide-ranging restaurants, so if food is primary, you'll eat hearty here. But it's not cheap. Although under British persuasion, there's an abundance of West Indian and native culture, and that shouldn't be bypassed. For example, Norman Island, part of the BVI make-up, is reputedly to be the setting for Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island.' If y...Read More

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Long Bay Beach Resort

Hotel | "Long Bay Beach Hotel"

Quote:

I stayed in a suite that overlooked the hillside, which afforded a beautiful view but had its downside: to get to the beach you had to walk/run down a steep road and cross the hotel's main road. That wasn't so bad. It was coming back UP the hill that killed. You can also stay closer to the beach, but then you're subjected to lots of little flying no-see-ums (biting creatures that hang out at dusk). That said, I enjoyed my air-conditioned suite with its ceiling fan, refrigerator and little balcony.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on July 25, 2000

Long Bay Beach Resort
North Shore
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
(284) 495-4252

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Long Bay Beach Restaurant

Restaurant

Quote:

This was a special occasion dinner and included some local dignitaries, so the cuisine was superb. Whether or not the food is as good on a nightly basis, I can't say. The fish was excellent, the vegetables fresh and the desserts delicious.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on July 25, 2000

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Tortola beach-bumming

Attraction

Quote:

It's not the most pristine location for to-die-for beach-bathing, but if you deign to do all those underwater things I'm too chicken for, you'll have a better time than I did.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on July 25, 2000

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Tortola Musings

Story/Tip

Basking in the Sun Photo - British Virgin Islands, Caribbean

Quote:

As a history buff, I'm always fascinated about indigenous people and how colonialism destroyed them (almost completely). That said, I learned that the islands were 'discovered' by Christopher Colombus on his second voyage in 1493 and he promptly named the islands, 'Las Once Mil Virgines,' (the 11,000 virgins.) Maybe it was wishful thinking or he REALLY counted all the rocks and protruding crags. But, naturally he wasn't the first here. A variety of Indian tribes lived here initially, but were wiped out by subsequent Spanish invasions (among others). Pirates came next, including good old Blackbeard and his cronies. Moving on, a sugar industry ran the islands' economy for decades, thanks to the heinous ...Read More