So, if you’re familiar with Aesop’s Fable, “The Tortoise and the Hare,” you might recall that it involves a race of sorts between a turtle and a rabbit.  (In real life, the turtle might have run out of gas… and gone to a “shell station!”)  Sorry about that, I couldn’t resist!  Anyway, the reason I used this title is because while we were on the lovely island of Tortola, we found a “restaurant” (i.e., snack bar) that featured an unusual Caribbean soup….. comprised of tender morsels of turtle and rabbit!  Naturally, I had to taste the dang concoction, and surprisingly, it was actually quite good.  However, our vegan guide did not seem to enjoy the dish.  (I should not have referred to the dish as “pet soup.”  My bad.)

Well, other than the soup, Road Town, the capital, was a very interesting port.  This was my fourth visit, but I still find the island enchanting.  Tortola is spread across miles of gleaming azure waters, and is the largest island of the archipelago we call the British Virgin Islands.  Sailors and pirates have been skirting its shores for centuries, including my two favorite rascals, Captain Kidd and Blackbeard.  Sugar cane used to be the main cash crop, but after they ran off the pirates and the locals started to going to San Juan Community College, tourism took over.

Living on Tortola can be a wonderful experience, but you will have to put up with a major hurricane every now and then.  By the way, in the event of a tornado or hurricane, always do what I do.  I always put a pack of hot dogs in my pants pocket. (Which, of course, is where you’re supposed to keep your wiener.)  Why do I do this?  Because the search dogs will find you first.  Think about it.

Anyway, after a scenic drive along Ridge Road, we came to one of my favorite beaches on the island… Cane Garden Bay.  Unfortunately, the last hurricane caused some serious damage, and the beach, while still inviting, was virtually destroyed by the tremendous wave action that hit the island.  If you go to Tortola, keep in mind that you can take two wonderful excursions… to Virgin Gorda and the Baths, and to Jost Van Dyke.  I’ve been to both, and they are definitely worth the time and effort it takes to get there.

Next week we will be “broadcasting” from Antigua, so keep that bottle of rum handy.  So what else is new?  Well, if you’re one of my groupies, please keep the following dates in mind…..  today and tomorrow I can be heard at the 2019 Thriller and Mystery Internet Conference.  (But the sponsor charges a small fee)  Then, on Saturday, April 27, I will be featured at the Springfest Author Festival in Lakeway.  I will be in the main tent, selling and signing books, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  If you’re in the area, stop by and say hello.  Finally, on May 29-31, I’ve been invited to make an appearance at the New York Book Expo at the Javits Center.  This event will be hard to attend, as I will be celebrating a birthday on May 29th.  (Since the party is in my honor, I’ll probably have to go!)

I’m looking forward to a great book signing event up in Granbuy this coming week, and I will keep you posted about the dates, times, and locations of their little book festival.  Until we meet again, let me wish all of my Christian followers and friends a joyous Palm Sunday.  In concert with the spirit of the season, so to speak, allow me to leave you with some “deep thoughts.”

The hardest thing about “everything happens for a reason” is figuring out the reason!

If a woman starts a sentence with, “I find it funny how,” you can bet your life she doesn’t find it funny!

If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything~  (Shania or Mark Twain, I forget which one.)

Have a great and gargantuan week!  Love to all,

Doc Yanoff