17.01.2022 – 28.01.2022: British Virgin Islands (BVI), Tortola (2) and arrival in Puerto Rico

Calendar:

17.01.2022 – 27.01.2022
Blue Latitude Garden Suite, Long Bay, West End, BVI

21.01.2022
Smuggler's Cove, evening: Sebastian's Seaside Grill

27.01.2022
Road Town, Covid tests, Cane Garden Bay, entry formalities for Puerto Rico

28.01.2022
Flight BVI - Puerto Rico; car rental, accommodation at Salt Life Villa, Humacao

29.01.2022
Exploring the Humacao region

Highlights:

On January 21, 2022, we spent the day relaxing at Smuggler's Cove beach and had dinner at Sebastian's Seaside Grill in the evening. It was a real disappointment! The food was about the same level as the pizzeria in Terminal 4 at Los Angeles Airport. We felt the greasy food for hours afterwards. We were surprised afterwards by the good reviews of this restaurant on the relevant evaluation platforms. We definitely recommend Tropical Fusion in West End instead.

From January 23, 2022, to January 25, 2022, I felt tired and weary for some reason. Maybe it was because of the food, but it doesn't really matter. Anyway, I slept a lot and recovered quite quickly and well.

On January 27, 2022, we drove to Road Town to take our Covid tests for the onward journey to Puerto Rico. Currently, the tests in Tortola can only be done at the hospital, there are no other testing facilities. However, this is also the testing center for all symptomatic cases. We felt a bit uneasy about that. We arrived at lunchtime and were informed that the staff member responsible for collecting the fee was on his well-deserved lunch break and that we should come back around 2:00 pm. So we spent the lunch hours in Road Town at the port.

We returned to the testing center in time and this time eagerly awaited the results. Both tests were negative again, so we were fortunately able to continue our journey.

On January 28, 2022, we got up early and made our way to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. When we arrived, a chicken ran in front of the Jeep, it was probably stressed and wanted to check in.

The car rental representative was absent, just like when we arrived, and was also not reachable by phone. So we just left the Jeep and left the keys under the doormat. However, he has already sent us the final invoice without any further comments, so everything is fine, especially since he now has a new rearview mirror.

The departure from Tortola was as cumbersome as any of our departures, it took over an hour just to check in the 8 passengers ahead of us. When it was finally our turn, Sylvia seemed to be missing some document from the entry into the BVI. Fortunately, it was found in her passport. We had to document all confirmations in detail, even our future departure from Puerto Rico (!), luckily we had already booked it. The British people behind us were missing the required electronic entry confirmation, so they had to painstakingly complete these formalities on their mobile phones while waiting in line.

After the endless but successful check-in, we had to go through security. The employees took it very seriously here as well. So my laptop immediately underwent a drug test (and that for the departure??). To the disappointment of the overzealous British Virgin Islander, the test came back negative. Afterwards, even though the X-ray control didn't make a sound, a security officer thoroughly searched me, with my arms held up like a serious criminal... Hopefully, at least he enjoyed it...

Our flight was short, nothing more. However, we were already able to catch a few first glimpses of Puerto Rico, we are excited to see what awaits us here.

The entry was really pleasant, a special mention to the US Immigration Officer. The car rental pick-up went smoothly as well, and as a cherry on top, we even got a yellow Mustang Convertible. It's fun to cruise around with it...

The first impressions of our accommodation in Puerto Rico (Salt Life Villa, Humacao) are somewhat mixed. This whole place is a huge resort. But we have time now to explore this island, which is highly praised by many, over the next three weeks.

One more important thing: Mario, our Tiki from Polynesia, has arrived at the Swiss (Customs) border. However, entry has not yet been allowed due to further pending clarifications. Hopefully, they won't require an additional COVID certificate. He is currently in a deportation room and eagerly awaits the decision, let's see if he will fare better than Djokovic. Otherwise, we will simply apply for asylum.

See you soon.