In more than 20 years as a travel writer, Ive visited the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at least twice. It may be three times. Honestly, Ive forgotten. Anyway, those stopovers were all one-day affairs. Each time I was a cruise passenger aboard a ship calling at Road Town in Tortola, the territorys capital.<\/p>\n
A single day provides plenty of time for a hike in Sage Mountain National Park or some Road Town shopping and sightseeing. But all these years I could never truthfully say I knew very much about the BVI.<\/p>\n
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That changed this past week: I joined a small group of reporters for a four-night journey through the BVIs 50-plus islands and cays hosted by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board. And unlike my first BVI exposures, this time I traveled in a manner befitting the sailing capital of the Caribbean.<\/p>\n
Our group sailed the territory aboard two four-cabin, deluxe catamarans provided by Dream Yacht Charter. Each vessel accommodated three writers in small but comfortable, air-conditioned cabins. A captain, chef and first mate (who also piloted the second catamaran) comprised the highly capable crew.<\/p>\n
Our trip focused on the launch of Food Fte, a month-long, territory-wide culinary festival now in its sixth year.<\/p>\n
Implemented by Sharon Flax Brutus, the British Virgin Islands Tourist Boards director, the increasingly popular foodie festival is the territorys premier promotional event and a terrific opportunity for foodies to experience one of the Caribbeans under-appreciated destinations.<\/p>\n
Flax Brutus describes Food Fte as the future of BVI culinary for its focus on creative dishes infused with Caribbean flavor and local, Caribbean-born and international chefs showcasing distinctive fusions.<\/p>\n
Now Im far from a food writer. However, I do enjoy food. Thus I couldnt help but note the cuisine I encountered during our tripfrom the food to wine to the cocktailswas uniformly delicious and representative of the regions characteristic blend of African, Caribbean and European gastronomy.<\/p>\n
Two gatherings highlighted our Food Fte experience, both of which are open to travelers and residents alike. Gourmet Soiree kicked off the months events with a night of elegant and decadent cuisine at the Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, where our group stayed for one evening before our catamaran excursion.<\/p>\n
At the Gourmet Soiree, at which Scrub Island officials also introduced Chloe St-Cyr, the resorts new executive chef, we dined graciously on fare from award-winning local and international chefs, including Adrianne Calvo and Kerry Heffernan.<\/p>\n
During dinner I chatted with young local chef Kevin Jones, whose jerk pork belly tacos have created a local sensation following his return to his home territory after two years in the UK.<\/p>\n
Two nights later, perfect early evening weather created an ideal environment for A Taste of Tortola, an open-air celebration at Tortolas Queen Elizabeth II Park.<\/p>\n
The casual foodie festival featured exceptional local restaurant fare and the best dishes from BVI food trucks and vendors of regional delicacies. Visitors paid $25 per person for free run of the numerous food and drink vendors, while live musical entertainment played throughout. Its a terrific deal.<\/p>\n
Personally I enjoyed a unique version of my favorite Caribbean cocktail, a mojito, made with specialty tequila (in place of the traditional rum).<\/p>\n
After the drink, I took in one pork belly and johnny cake combo; a slider composed of 40 percent ground beef and 60 percent brisket and topped with wasabi sauce; a magnificent ceviche I still recall; and two slices of sweet potato and coconut pie (as I said, I enjoy food). Then I drank another tequila mojito.<\/p>\n
In between the festivals, our group embarked aboard our all-day catamarans tours of BVI resorts and attractions, beginning with Jost Van Dyke, the smallest of the BVIs four main islands (after Anegada, Tortola and Virgin Gorda).<\/p>\n
At White Bay, our group shared tropical libations and fresh seafood at casual beachfront eatery Hendos Hideout, and then took a few steps down the beach to the Soggy Dollar for signature painkiller rum cocktails.<\/p>\n
We also called at Richard Bransons legendary Necker Island, still in recovery from the late 2017 Caribbean hurricanes.<\/p>\n
While some work remains to be done, (the official re-opening is set for April), the island remains extraordinary.<\/p>\n
Necker is a combination of a deluxe luxury resort with sumptuous accommodations featuring Balinese-style furnishings; with a dedicated animal reserve for threatened flamingos and lemurs; plus a sports-and-adventure themed getaway with premium tennis facilities and guided kite-surfing in its blue windward waters.<\/p>\n
Later we wound around to The Baths National Park on Virgin Gordas north shore. We trekked in between and around The Baths massive granite boulders at the beach's edge, a frame for endless Instagram posts.<\/p>\n
We also toured the Rosewood Little Dix Bay, the historic Laurence Rockefeller luxury property that was also impacted by the 2017 hurricanes. The 80-room resort on 500 lush acres is slated to re-open in January.<\/p>\n
At Norman Island, the catamarans anchored near Willy Ts Floating Bar and Restaurant, a former cargo ship converted into a bar reachable only by boat or water taxi. At various points, some of our group jumped off our catamarans into the cooling blue ocean waters for swimming and snorkeling.<\/p>\n
Each day we all reveled in the territorys warm breezes and sunny skies and marveled at the rich blue waters and lush green hillsides we found in nearly every direction.<\/p>\n
The four nights seemed to unfold as an extended dream of good food, good weather, good company and good times. Something like four great one-day visits, only infinitely more rich and rewarding.<\/p>\n
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BVI Food Fete Offers a Tantalizing Taste of the Caribbean - TravelPulse<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In more than 20 years as a travel writer, Ive visited the British Virgin Islands (BVI) at least twice. It may be three times. Honestly, Ive forgotten Continue reading