Government leaders were shocked this month to discover a new island that they say has been part of the territory for decades.
The island, called “Jost Van Dyke,” has a population of about 300 people, most of whom have lived there for many years, officials said.
“Government had no idea that this island even existed,” explained an official. “But it’s a beautiful place, and we’re extremely excited about all the possibilities.”
After the discovery, leaders jumped into action: After ascertaining that the island is too mountainous for a golf course, they opened a small tourist welcome centre and a taxi stand there last week in an attempt to make JVD residents feel included.
“Funds are tight, but in the near future, we hope to provide other services as well,” the official said. “For example, we hope to donate a few Tiki torches left over from the teachers’ banquet, some of which even have a little fuel left in them.”
Thrilled residents
The new island’s residents were overjoyed.
“We’re especially happy about the welcome centre,” said a Great Harbour bartender. “Whenever tourists show up on our busy island, they tend to get overwhelmed by the fast pace of life here and all the options available for visitors.”
He explained that there are three “completely separate” sites that most tourists want to visit on JVD: White Bay, Great Harbour and the Bubbly Pool.
“With so many options, visitors often panic,” explained the bartender, who is also a restaurateur, grocer, taxi driver and schoolteacher. “Sometimes they get lost; other times, they just get frustrated and leave.”
To help alleviate such confusion, staff members at the new welcome centre will provide detailed maps and other information, including safety tips for avoiding the packs of wild goats that roam the island.
Surprised
Some JVD residents were as surprised as the Tortola officials to learn that their home is part of a larger territory. But others said this is not the first time JVD has been discovered by the VI government.
“It seems to happen about — let’s see — once every four years,” said a White Bay retiree. “Suddenly the place will be swarming with leaders for a few weeks. Then they just disappear. We don’t really understand it, but we’re glad for any attention we can get.”
The island was last discovered in 2011, when the former government learned of its existence shortly before that year’s elections.
A large ceremony ensued, where leaders announced plans to build a new community centre there.
“It was such an exciting whirlwind that I sometimes think I dreamed it,” said another JVD resident. “But then I go gaze at the billboard that was erected at the proposed construction site, and I know it’s real.”
Though the billboard is still the only sign of the project — construction has not begun — she has high hopes.
“The officials who discovered us this year didn’t seem to know about the community centre,” she said. “Still, I believe in my heart that we’ll be discovered again about four years from now, and then maybe construction will finally get under way.”
Another island?
The discovery of JVD has led officials to investigate rumours about another undiscovered island in the territory.
“We’ve been hearing reports of an island to the far north that is called something like ‘Anoogoda’ or ‘Unageeda,’” said the official. “We’re not sure if it’s true — it might be old pirate lore — but we’re planning to mount a search.”
But even as they geared up for that effort, some overworked officials appeared to have already forgotten about JVD.
Calls to government offices about plans to carry out badly needed works on the new island’s roads and water systems were met with confusion.
“Joes Van who?” asked one official. “You must be mistaken. Maybe you’re thinking of Anguilla.”
Disclaimer: Dateline: Paradise is a column and occasionally contains satirical “news” articles that are entirely fictional.
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