Tortola - Page 8

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Details: Written by: Richard_McKie; Parent Category: Travel; Category: North America; Published: 28 October 2023; Hits: 13001

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According to Wikipedia: "Tortola is the largest of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. It features several white-sand beaches, including Cane Garden Bay and Smuggler’s Cove. Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands, has a harbor dotted with sailing boats and is known as a yachting hub. In the island's southwest, forested Sage Mountain National Park offers trails and sweeping views over neighboring cays."

We walked into town but ended back local bar, a stone's throw from the ship, enjoying a refreshing libation and free Wi-Fi.

Again, they drive on the left, in mostly left-hand drive cars (there is a mix). It's more understandable here - they are British after all.

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Travel

Mexico

In March 2025 Wendy and I flew from Sydney to Los Angeles (LAX) and caught a shuttle bus, south, to San Diego (old Town).

After a couple of days in San Diego we joined an 11 day cruise to Mexico, aboard Holland America’s ‘Zaandam’.

This was our second trip to Mexico.

We first visited Mexico on our way to Cuba in 2012. I didn’t write about the Mexico or California components of our trip back then because I didn’t want to detract from the Cuba story.

If you didn't see it at the time, follow this link: Cuba

So, first, here are my recollections of that experience, mellowed by time, informed by hindsight.

Fiction, Recollections & News

The new James Bond

It was raining in the mountains on Easter Saturday.

We'd decided to take a couple of days break in the Blue Mountains and do some walking. But on Saturday it poured. In the morning we walked two kilometres from Katoomba to more up-market and trendy Leura for morning coffee and got very wet.

After a train journey to Mount Victoria and back to dry out and then lunch in the Irish Pub, with a Cider and Guinness, we decided against another soaking and explored the Katoomba antique stores and bookshops instead. In one I found and bought an unread James Bond book. But not by the real Ian Fleming.

Ian Fleming died in 1964 at the young age of fifty-six and I'd read all his so I knew 'Devil May Care' was new. This one is by Sebastian Faulks, known for his novel Birdsong, 'writing as Ian Fleming' in 2008.

Opinions and Philosophy

Energy and a ‘good life’

Energy

With the invention of the first practical steam engines at the turn of the seventeenth century, and mechanical energy’s increasing utility to replace the physical labour of humans and animals, human civilisation took a new turn.

Now when a contemporary human catches public transport to work; drives the car to socialise with friends or family; washes and dries their clothes or the dishes; cooks their food; mows their lawn; uses a power tool; phones a friend or associate; or makes almost anything; they use power once provided by slaves, servants or animals.

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