Mar. 12 – New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay

Donny’s Boat Rental & Marina

"If once you have slept on an island, you'll never be quite the same." —Rachel Lyman Field

We’ve decided to stay in New Plymouth for a few more days so Stan can rest and stay off his foot. The patient is doing well and it already looks a little better. Stan’s only outing today was taking me ashore in the dinghy and picking me up.

People always want to know what we do all day on a boat. I always tell them everything takes longer to accomplish when you live on a boat...and even longer when you’re on island time. Well today was a good example of that. We wanted a little more cash, since we had an unexpected expense yesterday, so today I went to the bank. I got a chance to see island living first hand. The bank in New Plymouth is the only bank on the island and it’s only open one day a week for four hours. I got there about 30 minutes after the bank had opened and the small lobby was full of people. The walls were lined with chairs, so many people were sitting…each waiting their turn and visiting with each other. Everyone seemed to know who they were after and would get up when it was their turn. It’s a small island and everyone knows each other…it seemed to be the social activity for the day. Normally it would be very frustrating to spend an hour waiting to get cash, but we’re on island time and it was fun to visit with people while I waited. Things just move at a slower pace here.

The First Caribbean Bank of New Plymouth

The streets in New Plymouth are narrow. Most people use golf carts instead of cars on the island...which seems to make it easier for everyone to visit as they drive by. Many even offer rides to the people they see walking. The town is very clean...every building is kept painted and the little yards are well maintained. It's truly a beautiful place.