It
is difficult to dispose of garbage in the BVIs and as such we had
accumulated 3 bags worth of stinking rubbish. We took these bags
ashore in the hope that we could get rid of them...we could but had
to pay $3 /bag for the pleasure which Dylan refused to do. So it was
with the 3 garbage bags and a rucksack that I straddled a moped and
clung onto Dylan with my one free hand as he started up the engine.
We got off to a wiggly start and Dylan informs me that he has never
ridden a moped before! As we motor away
(very slowly as I dig my nails into Dylan every time he goes over 20
kph!) we very quickly realise that the roads here are not all
tarmac...but the majority sandy tracks. Interesting...
I am armed with a tourist
leaflet of the BVIs that has a small 4 finger sized map of Anegada. I
try to juggle that with the 3 bags of garbage and still hold on to
Dylan as we sway about like a drunk after a day of drinking. As we
hit the sand, Dylan wobbles, the moped veers near a gorse bush, we
grind to a halt and I get thrown off. After only being on the moped
for less than 5 mins and already seeing my life flash before my eyes,
I took a bit of persuading to get back on the moped let me tell you!
Helmets back on we set off in search of Flamingo Pond – home to 100
local flamingos. Falling off a second time I have a mild hissy fit
and question Dylan's ability to drive cursing the fact we were cheap
skates and didn't opt for the jeep rental instead. Sure I appreciate
that driving on sand has the same feeling as aquaplaning in a
car...yet I can't really sympathise with him when my feet cant touch
the ground and the only way of getting off is if the moped is
seriously tilted to the left or right. I was relying totally on his
non existent experience in driving a 2 wheeled vehicle. I have driven
a moped before in Thailand when on holiday with the girls, lets just
say after accidentally driving myself into a group of monks, getting
shown into their private quarters to take the embedded gravel out of
my knee whilst the monks retrieve my moped from the bushes – I
wasn't going to be driving one anytime soon, especially with my
beloved as a passenger!! I figure Dylan just needs practice and get
back on again, clinging on for dear life, staring at the speedometer.
We saw 2 flamingos and not a lot else as we were concentrating so
much on the sand piles.
With only 11 sq miles to
explore, it wasn't long until we reached our second stop, Bones Bight
beach. By now Dylan had figured out how to turn corners but I still
wasn't all that confident on his u-turn capabilities so I bailed
whilst he drove the moped round with his feet swinging out either
side ready to level out the moped if needed. Bear in mind I still
held on to 3 carrier bags of stinking rubbish and a rucksack on my
back – o thank god we barely came across another person the whole
day, we looked a right pair.
Bones Bight beach is a
gorgeous deserted white beach. We get out our snorkels and go and
explore the coastline. A few fishes but not that big on sealife,
definitely focus on the beach impressiveness and not the underwater
scene. We did however see our first small sea snake! We went for a
long beach walk, no other person in sight, dried off and got back on
the moped (well I didn't really have much choice did I).
Hitting a particularly
sandy spot in the road I fall off for the third time (yes parents, we
were wearing helmets) and this time manage to embed a load of thorns
in my feet. Another mild tantrum, swearing and flinging of rubbish
and we are on our way again. Yes I must be a glutton for punishment.
Dylan putting on a brave face finding this whole thing hilarious as
we fishtail our way up a sandy track hoping like hell we don't meet
any oncoming traffic. We realise that this visitor's map is rubbish
and totally not accurate when we end up at the South East corner of
the island rather than the North East. A kind local with a kitchen
paper wrapped around her head (no idea) pointed us in the right
direction.
We weaved past goats and
cows in the middle of the road and arrived at our destination –
Loblolly Beach. And guess what, they had a bin free of charge! After
carrying around 3 stinking bags of rubbish for most of the day, I was
very keen to get rid. This beach was pegged as one of the best in the
world so we had high expectations. Dylan, never to give anything a 10
/10 in the Caribbean as there is always better alternatives in the
Pacific, declared that it was disappointing but I beg to differ. Sure
it was busier than other beaches we had been to but the beach
stretched on for ever and the coastline had great snorkelling. Reef
fish we have seen before but all twice the size. We also spotted a
medium sized sting ray chilling out on the bottom. Wanting to dry off
before we got on the moped, we went for a drink at the bar and were
greeted by two pet goats taking a snooze under the tables. Cute!
Next stop – The
Settlement. How much easier it is to be a passenger on a moped when
you can hold on with both hands rather than occupying one holding bin
bags! The Settlement is the main town on the island. We were
expecting a central hub and got a road that just looked slightly more
populated than the rest. A lone Indian lady sat on a green plastic
chair greeted us into the town as I continued to dig my nails into
Dylan if we went over 30 kph (yep I had upped my tolerance by 10
kph)! On our way out we stopped for a herd of sheep going home. Much
more interested in our strange faces they all stopped where they were
and checked us out.
Heading back to the rental
place I allowed Dylan to drive a little faster on a straight road yet
we were still getting honked at by locals and overtaken. Whether that
was to say hello or tell us to move out of the way – who knows!
Here is a video I made whilst on the moped:
Here is a video I made whilst on the moped:
Dylan now has another nickname - Dick Dastardly from Wacky Races.
)
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