Hello from Virgin Gorda!

I've been getting a nice introduction to the British Virgin Islands this week ... it's offseason here in this sailor's paradise, but the weather is great and there's still plenty to see and do, especially if you enjoy watersports.

I'm staying at Biras Creek, a small Relais & Chateaux property occupying a narrow gap between two of Virgin Gorda's steep peaks, with the Caribbean on one side and a calm, inviting harbor on the other. It's a laid-back resort where you get around by bicycle; there's a lot of honeymooners here this week enjoying the private beachfront villas and taking advantage of the sailing, boating, and diving instruction and excursions offered by the resort.

Biras' restaurant sits on a hilltop at the head of a protected cove, offering unparalleled views of the rest of Virgin Gorda as well as islands like Anagada, Prickly Pear, Nekker, and Mosquito. Cruisers are frequent visitors to Biras, sailing in to spend a night on dry land, enjoy dinner at the restaurant, or have a Carib at the Fat Virgin, a waterfront bar at the Biras Creek marina. Besides great food at reasonable prices, the Fat Virgin also has wireless Internet access, so you can check your email with one hand while holding a drink in the other, soaking in the harbor views and sunshine while you're at it!

I'll have more to tell you about Biras and the BVI next week, but for now I'm posting a few pictures to tempt you, especially if you're from the East Coast and have been enduring the constant rain for the past few, well, it seems like months, doesn't it?