LIAT’s reaction
Last week in this space, a Beaconite wrote about a letter to the Beacon from Virgin Islands resident Arthur Hicks, who satirically thanked the airline LIAT for poor service. Mr. Hicks’ letter was noticed by another VI resident, Sir Richard Branson, who posted a copy on his blog. The blog post caught the attention of the international media (and prompted more than 40,000 hits to the Beacon’s website). Now LIAT has responded to Sir Richard in a short video posted on YouTube titled “LIAT challenges Sir Richard Branson.” The minute-and-a-half video features an enthusiastic LIAT employee thanking the billionaire for “focusing attention” on LIAT even though it wasn’t the airline’s finest hour.
“Richard, as we all know, all airlines, even the mighty Virgin, have bad days,” the employee said, adding that LIAT would like to challenge him to a race to Necker Island.
The presenter didn’t outline the specifics of the race, though assuming she meant a contest of the companies’ airlines, LIAT could be at a significant disadvantage. The Boeing 747 jets that Virgin Atlantic uses are considerably faster than the turboprop aircraft on which LIAT relies. Assuming the race does happen, though, LIAT has one thing going for it: the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport runway is currently too short for Virgin’s jets to land.
Sister territories
A Beaconite watching a programme on CBN television about the ties between this territory and the United States Virgin Islands was fascinated to hear the stories of various residents of the two territories. Most talked about how the islands have changed since the 1930s and 1940s. In those days, the VI was the “breadbasket” for St. Thomas, with Tortola’s rich farms providing food for neighbouring St. Thomians, Premier Dr. Orlando Smith explained on the show. Other speakers on the programme, which also featured interviews with former politicians like Eileene Parsons and former USVI Governor Charles Turnbull, shed light on how residents of the day dealt with tough times, sometimes skirting the rules so they could make ends meet. Some VI sailors smuggled goods past US customs officers, while some men seeking work in the USVI “went through the window” without the clearance of immigration officers, they said.
Sumer Sizzle BVI
One Beaconite has covered the Summer Sizzle Fashion Show annually for the past four years. Apart from taking in the fashionable outfits, she especially has enjoyed seeing collections from Virgin Islands designers Kristin Frazer and Bayroc. This year is no different, but one more VI name has been added to the list: Mode Desseme, a swimsuit designer. Unlike with many other local events, the Beaconite isn’t worried about the Saturday show starting late: The producers of the well-organised event always start in a timely manner.
Dinner in the dark
One Beaconite lost power for a few hours Saturday and when it went out again on Sunday she decided to pass some time at her local pub instead of sitting home in the dark. When she got there, she found the pub, too, was in the dark, but staff members weren’t letting that stop them from serving the handful of customers who braved the rain. With the mostly-gas-powered kitchen, the staff continued to prepare dinners and drinks, which patrons then ate by candlelight. The reporter hopes others in the territory are as resilient this storm season, when more outages are sure to come.
Fruit season
There’s something a Beaconite loves about summer in the Virgin Islands, apart from the hot weather and the never-ending August Emancipation Festival parties: snacking on guenips, which only grow during summer. She hopes to enjoy as the fruit as often as possible this year.
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