A Shot of Brandi: The Caves
In the latest installment of one of our favorite, occasional features, Captain John Brandi tells a tale of treasure! A Shot of Brandi, at The Caves, below.
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November 26th, 2007 07:46
That was fun. If we’re talking about local treaures, I think Captain John Brandi is one for sure!
-Ruth
November 26th, 2007 08:58
I know people often prefer a good story to the truth, but let’s clarify here: there is ABSOLUTELY no evidence that R L Stevenson had ever heard of Norman Island. The Creque family of Tortola and St. Thomas did indeed find a fortune, but a lot longer ago than the 1960’s (try 1915 or so), the only substantial treasure known to have found in the Virgin group.
The reference to the orange cup corals as “blooming”, when they have thier polyps extended, is probably not too smart when you’re talking about an animal.
And lastly, PLEASE, must we have tourists feeding fish?
I thought we might all be a bit more enlightened by now.
Sorry to be such a sour puss, but you guys live here now, time to know more about it.
November 26th, 2007 10:38
Hey AJR
As far as the stories go, I think there’s a certain tough-in-cheek element you may be missing. Check out one of the earlier pieces if you haven’t watched them. It’s an “It’s true!” kind of thing. Not intended for the Encyclopedia Brittanica.
November 26th, 2007 12:20
I love Captn john………thanks guys
like the visual of him in a brandi glass too……….:)
November 26th, 2007 13:45
Very nice. was that Russ being feed to the fish?
November 26th, 2007 14:26
I think it to be far more of a stretch to say that R L Stevenson never heard of Norman Island than it is to say that the island is thought to be the inspiration for the book.
Consider that Stevenson’s uncle had traveled extensively throughout the Virgin Islands and kept a very detailed diary - including charts.
Consider that the book references “Spyglass Hill”, which is also the name of a hill on Norman Island.
Consider that the book uses the phrase “dead man’s chest”, which may very well be a reference to the island Dead Chest located not too far from Norman Island.
Consider that R L Stevenson himself crossed the Atlantic once.
November 26th, 2007 21:29
Hey Bro,
To know you is to love you as only a brother can. I don’t care about the authenticity of the tale but “dug” the delivery.
You are a master of discourse and a magnet for attention. I believed every word of it and only wished it lasted longer. You got me hook, line and sinker.
Your success, well deserved, is wonderful and should be cherished by you….
The best of luck!
Holten
ps. The Pats gave us something to think about last night in the Philly game.
November 26th, 2007 21:50
Thanks for a little clip of fun in the islands. I’ve never been to the caves and enjoyed the video. Since our next trip is 5 months away, (and some of those are cold months!) I’ll take a glimpse of the islands any time.
November 26th, 2007 21:51
I’d rather believe that Norman was Stevenson’s inspiration for Trasure Island. The Virgins are a treasure to behold. I hope Brandi tells of when Blackbeard was thrown overboard and he swam around the ship seven times before the sharks got him…all while being headless too.
Great Installment…Norman Isl is special
November 26th, 2007 21:56
Quoted from Wikipedia
Actual geography
There are a number of islands which could be the real-life inspiration for Skeleton Island. One story goes that a mariner uncle had told the young Stevenson tales of his travels to Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands, thus this could mean Norman Island was an indirect inspiration for the book.[7] Nearby Norman Island is a Dead Man’s Chest Island, which Stevenson found in a book by Charles Kingsley. Stevenson said “Treasure Island came out of Kingsley’s At Last: A Christmas in the West Indies (1871); where I got the ‘Dead Man’s Chest’ - that was the seed”.[8][9] If it was “the seed” for Skeleton Island, the phrase “dead man’s chest”, the novel in general, or all, remains unclear. Other contenders are the small islands in Queen Street Gardens in Edinburgh, as “Robert Louis Stevenson lived in Heriot Row and it is thought that the wee pond he could see from his bedroom window in Queen Street Gardens provided the inspiration for Treasure Island”.[10]
It very well could have been Norman Island or it could have been somewhere else. I am sure that the folks in Edinburg tell a similar story.
November 26th, 2007 22:21
Keep ‘em coming! Love the stories. It’s great the way you’re covering the island from so many different angles. Not to get too PBS, but how about some oral history from the islands older residents –I know it’s been done in books, but why not video?
November 26th, 2007 22:48
John,
Glad to see you’re doing well and you seem to be enjoying yourself. We haven’t seen you in awhile and you’re looking good. Holten sent me your latest video, it usually comes from your USA agent, Cousin Joanne!
To all the detractors of your speech. Most people don’t know or care that coral polyps are animals and not vegetables. What does matter is that massive amounts of coral around the world are being bleached(killed) by changes in water temperature and polution. Also who gives a crap which island was in a great work of fiction, don’t OVERTHINK wine, fiction, women, life etc…
Bart
P.S. EAGLES were 23 point underdogs, losing by 3 pts was like a win!! Kicked ass on the spread, should have bet the over.
November 26th, 2007 23:33
Dang it!!!! And all this time I thought it was Catalina Island.
November 27th, 2007 14:29
I’ve been anxiously awaiting the next shot of Brandi, and it doesn’t disappoint. Great job, Captain. Keep on telling your stories and entertaining us!
November 27th, 2007 15:27
Love this segment– well done. Funny that someone else mentioned the fish thing, but when I saw that I was a bit put off as well. It might be fun for the tourists but it really is irresponsible wildlife management. I can only imagine that the authorities might issue a hefty fine if they saw this first hand. The captain and the boat are fantastic- but leave the fish gimmicks for Vegas.
November 28th, 2007 12:08
Capt. Jack,
Love the shot of Brandi another adventure on the palmabella!
November 29th, 2007 11:55
Capt.Brandi:
Beth forwarded the “Brandi Glass”. Loved it.
Joanne
March 15th, 2008 13:23
Hey, John!
Hello from Marbleyhead! We sure miss you here! It’s just not as happy and vibrant! St. John’s is lucky! Congrats on your success in Paradise! Write to us, if you ever come in from the sun & sea!
Love,
Patricia & Christina