Oh I love it! Kindred souls. The bread being sold out of a window.
This is just the thing that we get a charge out of and the reason we
ALWAYS rent a car is because we like to take in the neighborhood feel
too. I think I remeber the two seted bar. I do recall many little 4
or 6 feet shacks with an open window that served beer. I remeber
driving aroudn and there wer large tortoises eveywhere. They liekd to
copulate on the few asphalted roads so if this was happening, (and I
immortalized the event on film) a.) they were not quick about it and
b.) you had to turnn the car around and find another route because
there wer often irrigation-like ditches on the side of roads. Big
laugh when I showed the pcitures coming home. Me, taking in nature. I
do recall visitn a "zoo". Perhaps that is the reserve now?

Once I got very sick in Tortola. Inevitably, I ended up going to a
"doc-in-the-box" on St. Thomas, where for $200 he dispensed a very
strong narcotic. He was a rela opoluar doctor on the isalnd Ha Ha.
BUT, beofre that, the trip to the Tortola local clinic, as well as the
trip to the actual hospital there, subsequent pharmacy, etc (where I
could also buy a Maytag) was fascinating. At the hospital, for $35, I
was seen in the ER. The building had no air conditioning and the nurse
took my medical information down on an industrial tri-folded brown
paper towel from a wall dispenser. There were also chickens walking up
and down the corridor, becuase the doors were open. I was a foot from
the lab, where they were watching the Flintstones and you got a
Styrofoam cup with a paper towel for a urine specimen and lid. Had I
not been so ill, it would have been much more interesting.

At any rate. Talk baout rambling.....I am grateful to you because we
WILL look for the "stone" and the forest and such. I recall the
race track and there was some livley rugby games going on too. There
was a mental hospital I think nearby, that looked very archaic and
daunitng and I remember the distinct smell of the rum factory. I recall
a restaeraunt in the Gap that was fighting over a shark that had been
caught that day, in a bid with the other owenrs to see who was goign to
purchase it and have a "shark" special that night!

I am REALLLY lookign forward to this trip!

My memory of the Bajans is the same as your take. They were very warm
and loving towards me on my last trip to Sam Lords, (ballsy but lazy
pirate huh?. If I recall the story is he hung lanterns in the trees and
just sat back and waited for the ships to reef themselves and rowed out
to loot)?The ladies wrokign at hte resrot and th vendors on th ebeach
were very cute. They kept rtying to fee me because I am very small and
thin. My boyfriend at the tim was 6' 7"and the rental palce woudl NOT
let him drive the car. They er afraid he woudl break it. For some
reason, another thing that stands out in my mind the year I stayed
there was: there were tons of "Church's" Fried Chicken retailers.
And I recall eating at one and they had condiments on each table.
Soemthing that looked like honey-mustard nearly made my eyeballs bleed.
Later, at one of the little "shops" en route across the island, I
bough a bottle of "Lotties' Bajan" sauce. It was in a rehabbed
7-Up bottle with a handmade label. For years later, when I had
visitors who claimed, "Hot, spicy stuff doesn't bother me", it
was as if the gauntlet had been thrown. I would pull out Lotties sauce
and watch their foreheads sweat! The infamous flying fish sandwich was
served on Wonder Bread, hot and fresh on a little white house-type
structure that jutted out of a hill on a seaside road. We had to drive
a bit to get the "best" fish sandwich too, but that is the type of
stuff I get a kick out of. The day I checked in to Sam Lords I had
been stuck in Puerto Rico the night before. So, it was the day after
OJ had been chased in the bronco. We had only one channel in the room
and it was CNN. I saw that white bronco go down that highway over and
over again. I remember the day I checked in, at he main house, the
guest register had been signed (ha) by Nicole Simpson. People are
sick. And a large monkey swept down from he trees and ate my granola
bar right out of my hand. I also remember feeding the ferrets all the
time. Funny the stupid things that stand out in your mind.

OK a few more questions: 1.) Are there still monkeys? I went back on
ship a few times, day trips, but didn't see any. As I mentioned we
have five days for free and we are certainly going to extend our visit.
It will likely be the week of the 4th of July since that is my
birthday. 2.) So...is there another MUST have resort that we should
switch to, for say 4 more days? DOES NOT HAVE TO BE 5 STAR. In fact,
if I don't have to spend a King's ransom that is better. If
nothing jumps out in your mind we will likely just stay put for
convenience. 3.) Any particular car rental place better than the
other? I will look for you friend at the caves. 4.) Is it possible to
book that in advance? 5.) For a great birthday dinner, I will turn 44,
what restaurant do you suggest? Doesn't have to be fancy. Good food
supersedes but something nice and attractive is cool. 5.) Finally,
BEST place for sunset?

Thanks pal!!!!!!!! HEY if I am being a pin in the ass - no pressure,
I'll find my way...