Living at Longview House:

Hotel Services

Long Bay Beach Resort, which is located directly below the house, manages it and will help you with any problems or questions that you might have. Before going to the house, you should check-in at the reception desk where they will provide you with a hotel account. As a guest in my house, you have the use of all hotel facilities (pool, tennis courts, fitness room, etc.). They will supply you with maid service, fresh linens and soaps. Also, they have a concierge who can arrange day trips and other outings. Snorkeling gear and tennis rackets can be rented at the hotel.

Even though there is a 10 percent "service charge" added to your bill, a little something extra would be appreciated by your bellhop, maid and/or wait staff for their service.

Coming Home at Night

For your convenience, light switches are located at the top and bottom of the entryway. One is located in the living room next to the front entrance and the other is on the light pole at the parking area. Please remember to turn the lights off when you are safely home.

Security

Fortunately, Tortola is blessed with a very low crime rate. Consequently, you probably will not need to lock the house when you leave - I never do. However, don't tempt fate by leaving valuables out. There is a safe in the small bedroom closet and the hotel management will supply you with a key for it, if you wish.

Keeping Cool in the Summer

While the house is not air-conditioned, the open design allows the breezes to cool us off. Ceiling fans provide additional cooling.

The Garden

Many guests have been interested in the exuberant plant life around the house. I have actually planted only a small range of specimens that are common to this island. Probably the most spectacular is the yellow Allamanda above the pool. The Bougainvilleas come in a close second with their vibrant reds, purples and magentas. Filling out large areas of the property are one of my favorites - Oleander. It is a large, spiky leaved shrub with flower colors ranging from white to all shades of red and pink. The shrub with the pretty blue flower located at the entry is called the Plumbago.

Flamboyant trees enliven the hillside between the house and the parking area with their bright orange and yellow blossoms. On either side of the living room balcony, are located Poor Man's Orchid trees. These I planted since so many of my guests have been married on that balcony. They are truly spectacular when in full bloom!

Of course there are several species of palm. To either side of the entrance are royal palms. The beautiful sago palms with their stiff and dark green fronds are found along the stair and in the garden on the way to the master bedroom.

You are welcome to pick any of the flowers you wish. They will grow back within a very short period of time, so there is really no overall loss. Please enhance the house with vases of them.

Water

The water in the house is rainwater that is stored in a cistern. Even though it is filtered and drinkable, some guests prefer to buy their own bottled water. Needless to say, water is in short supply, so please conserve it whenever possible. The adage on the island is: save water - take a shower with a friend!

Telephone

The telephone is connected through the hotel's switchboard and you are charged for its use, as any other hotel room would be. To make a local call, dial "8" for an outside line. Each time you dial out, there is a charge (even for busy signals). To dial off island, it is much cheaper to use a calling card rather than dialing direct through the hotel's switchboard. To contact AT&T: dial 8 for an outside line, then 1-800-872-2881, wait for AT&T's operator to answer, then follow instructions.

The extension number for Longview House is 3710. You might want to give this number to anyone calling you, as it could be somewhat less confusing for the front desk.

It is a good idea to check for messages even if the light is not lit. To get your messages dial 4302. Press 7 for the next message, 3 to delete a message, 5 to save a message and 9 to exit.

Laundry

If you need to have your clothes washed, there is a convenient Laundromat behind Big Ben's Gas (on the right at the southern end of Zion Hill Road). Just drop off your wash on the way into town and pick it up on your return. They are very reasonable. The hotel will also do it for you, but they are more expensive and could take a longer time.

For your convenience, I have located a clothesline on the lower deck. If you don't want to look at it while not in use, it can be detached from the house end and placed out of sight. Please wear shoes on the lower deck, since it is splintery.

Whale Spottings

Guests have spotted whales from the house in late March and early April. I now at long last have seen them too and my sightings were in early July. They are most easily spotted on a calm sea where they appear as whitecaps that don't disappear, but move in a specific direction.

Post Cards

You can find post cards of Longview House in the drawer under the telephone. Please feel free to send them to your friends and family. Postage stamps can be bought at the hotel's gift shop.

Living on Tortola:

Money

While most establishments that cater to tourists accept credit cards, the island operates mostly on cash - that is US dollars. There are ATM machines at the banks in Road Town and one at Soper's Hole.

Dining and Entertainment

Tortola is scattered with local bars that often feature live entertainment and Happy Hour specials.

Be sure to pick up a free copy of Welcome magazine. It will give you all of the fundamental information that you will need for seeing and enjoying the island. The Limin' Times comes out on Thursday and provides you with what is currently happening that week. Usually, you can get a copy of both of these at the front desk of the hotel.

The Long Bay Beach Resort has 2 restaurants. The Terrace is the hotel's "formal" restaurant and the Beach Front the more laid back and a good bet for lunch on the beach.

The Sugar Mill Hotel has two of the best restaurants on Tortola. The Island is their small, beachfront pavilion with a very good lunch menu. The Sugar Mill Restaurant is located in the hotel proper and is arguably the best on the island. You may need reservations in the High Season.

Sebastian's is nearby and provides a simple, but reasonably priced menu at its lovely location directly above the surf. Try their after dinner rum.

Soper's Hole, a West Indies style center, near the West End ferry terminal has a nice gift shop or two and my favorite Pusser's. On Tuesdays they have an all you can eat shrimp dinner. Good hamburgers at lunch too.

For ethnic fare, try Mrs. Scatliffe's in Carrot Bay. Since she makes everything to order, be sure to call her by 5:30 at 495-4556.

Palm's Delight also in Carrot Bay, but on the water, is another Tortolan experience - and downright cheap.

For bars, there are several local candidates.

The most well known is the Bomba Shack in Apple Bay. In addition to its famous (or as some people prefer, infamous) full moon parties, it has live music on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Another lively spot is Quito's Gazebo in Cane Garden Bay. If you like to dance, go there on a Friday or Saturday night when they have the full band playing. It has a restaurant, but be sure to make reservations.

Jolly Rogers just beyond the West End ferry terminal can also have a lively band at times.

Grocery Shopping

If you plan to do any cooking while here, you can find almost everything that you will need at the island markets.

Rite Way markets, the best and most inexpensive groceries, in my opinion.
Location: The smaller, but more convenient, store is on the major southern coastal road just to the west of Road Town in a blue building. The larger one is located east of Road Town about a mile across the divided street from the festival grounds..

Bobby's, recommended by many guests in the guest book.
Location: Bobby's is in Road Town just off the traffic circle.

Big Ben's Superette, closest to the house, pricy with limited selection.
Location: Take a left at the southern end of Zion Hill Road and it is on the right after a quarter mile.

The Ample Hamper, a very good selection of food of the highest quality, but it is expensive.
Location: On the east end of the Soper's Hole dock-side commercial area.

There is a government fish market on the right beyond Rite Way as you continue toward the airport. It is difficult to know which fish will be available, but they are usually very fresh or flash frozen. Try the local lobster or red snapper. Both are excellent, if you can get them.

Sunburn

Be careful of the sun, as it will burn you in a very short time down here. If you get a sunburn, you might break off the tip of a spike from one of the many aloe plants around the house and apply the sap to the burn.

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