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Trip Tome - part 3
Trip Tome - part 3
Tuesday, March 31
Woke to the sound of rain pattering through the trees – relieved that our water cistern was getting replenished, so we wouldn’t have to worry (as much) about having enough water for our much-appreciated end-of-the-day showers. During the night we heard leaves crunching and an occasional “snorty” bray, as a couple of donkeys shuffled by below our bedroom window – though it was too dark to see them.
We drove into Cruz Bay again, and visited with Ron and Ruth at St. John Spice - where we picked up some “Cruz Bay Grill Rub” (a tantalizing blend of roasted garlic, onion, bell peppers, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, fennel, salt, and cane sugar), and a bottle of “Pirates Gold” (an “exotic mélange” of carambola, Bonnet Peppers and West Indian spices). If you haven’t already, you gotta give em a try.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442152429/" title="Shela's Pot - Best Food in Town by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/344 ... 4035ae.jpg" width="500" height="364" alt="Shela's Pot - Best Food in Town"></a>
It was still cloudy, with an occasional shower, but we did get a few sun breaks (Oregon weather term
).
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442155497/" title="Raindrops Keep Fallin on my Jeep by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/344 ... a06b16.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Raindrops Keep Fallin on my Jeep"></a>
We toured the sugar plantation ruins at Annaberg,
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442974352/" title="Stairway to Heaven by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/344 ... 00cd95.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Stairway to Heaven"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442156457/" title="Annaberg Windmill by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/344 ... 307653.jpg" width="500" height="480" alt="Annaberg Windmill"></a>
explored some interesting tide pools,
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442976272/" title="Leinster Bay by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/344 ... 637de4.jpg" width="331" height="500" alt="Leinster Bay"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442976924/" title="Brittle Star by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3396/344 ... f1b910.jpg" width="500" height="316" alt="Brittle Star"></a>
got a photo of a “Monkey-don’t-climb” tree with its thorny trunk,
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442975748/" title="Monkey Don't Climb by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/344 ... f40242.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Monkey Don't Climb"></a>
a photo of a Turpentine tree with its pealing/curly bark,
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442165993/" title="Turpentine Tree by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3322/344 ... d7d457.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Turpentine Tree"></a>
and some photos of three “wild” donkeys in the parking lot.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442166557/" title="Wild Donkeys My Ass by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/344 ... 474863.jpg" width="500" height="435" alt="Wild Donkeys My Ass"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442167279/" title="Hey, I'm Eating For 2 by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3371/344 ... 3c20dd.jpg" width="263" height="500" alt="Hey, I'm Eating For 2"></a>
Dinner that night: Barbequed steak, garlic bread and, of course, corn on the cob. It had been a nice “kick back” day – Yeah, we’re on “island time” now
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442168013/" title="Rib Eye Roast by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/344 ... b961c0.jpg" width="268" height="500" alt="Rib Eye Roast"></a>
NICE apron HT!
Wednesday April 1, 2009
We decided to snorkel Francis Bay again, but this time around the rocks to the left. Since the water had been a little chilly the other day, I decided this was a good opportunity to try out my new “shorty” wetsuit. I was a bit trepidatious, because it fit REALLY snug – especially around the neck. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it wasn’t at all constricting once I was in the water. Best of all, I wasn’t the least bit cold, and was able to just relax and thoroughly enjoy the snorkeling. Next year we plan to get HT one too.
HT is having trouble with water getting into his sinuses when he snorkels - which we had thought might have been because he had ruptured an ear drum as a child. He tried wearing ear plugs, but that did little to relieve the problem. Maybe he needs a new mask?? He did a little better today, but was still having some trouble and had to quit long before I did – which was a shame, because there was SO much to see.
I blissfully enjoyed the freedom of my buoyant, seemingly weightless, state as I floated among the vibrantly colored fish. Some hovered in groups; some darted among the rocks; some munched on the coral; some “rode” symbiotically on larger fish. There wasn’t a lot of coral, but what was there was colorful and intricate.
I could have stayed “forever”, but realized I was beginning to turn into a “prune”, so decided to join HT on the beach - where I found him sitting in the shade with a book and a can of Red Stripe. (Didn’t seem like he was suffering too much
)
We enjoyed a picnic lunch of left-over spareribs while watching the pelicans. In their quest for fish de jour, the amusing birds often swooped low over the heads of nearby snorkelers and swimmers before “dive bombing” into the water - at times, right next to some poor, startled soul.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442964314/" title="Beak Can Hold More Than It's Bellycan by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/344 ... a49245.jpg" width="500" height="380" alt="Beak Can Hold More Than It's Bellycan"></a>
It was only about 1330 when we finished lunch and it was such a beautiful afternoon that we decided to go back to the house and get the 2-man kayak. Even though the villa is only ¼ mile from Francis Bay, getting the boat there was no easy feat as it’s about 20 feet long and heavy! But we were determined, and managed (after many rest stops) to finally get it to the water’s edge - then headed across the bay to Whistling Cay, which was a fairly easy paddle.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442325331/" title="Off We Go Into The Blue Yonder by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/344 ... 72bb07.jpg" width="500" height="446" alt="Off We Go Into The Blue Yonder"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442325899/" title="We Made It! by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/344 ... 002287.jpg" width="432" height="500" alt="We Made It!"></a>
We pulled up onto the little, cobble stone beach and were “greeted” by 3 large iguanas. Another kayaking couple, who was just leaving as we arrived, had been tossing food to them as they departed. GREAT!!! The prehistoric-looking creatures obviously expected us to have food for them too – which we didn’t. They were probably harmless, but looked rather menacing, and weren’t at all intimidated by us. (Were they really hissing, or did I just imagine that?)
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443143162/" title="This IS My Good Side by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/344 ... 6ff161.jpg" width="500" height="426" alt="This IS My Good Side"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443143614/" title="You Talkin To Me? by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/344 ... d4c39b.jpg" width="414" height="500" alt="You Talkin To Me?"></a>
They move a lot quicker than I would have thought, and aggressively approached us – despite our (in hind sight, rather comical) shooing gestures and hollering – sending us scurrying up the beach into a partially restored stone house that was, fortunately, nearby. After a few minutes, they lost interest in us and shuffled away.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442328957/" title="What a Shot by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/344 ... a68f2a.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="What a Shot"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443147010/" title="Fungi Passage by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/344 ... a265c2.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Fungi Passage"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442331311/" title="Leapin Lizard by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3387/344 ... cebd52.jpg" width="278" height="500" alt="Leapin Lizard"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443149210/" title="Binocular View by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/344 ... b53808.jpg" width="500" height="244" alt="Binocular View"></a>
The paddle back to Francis Bay was into the wind, so took a bit more effort than our paddle out. But, we got into a rhythm, and made fairly good time.
Back at the villa, we enjoyed taking a shower in the outdoor lattice “enclosure” – feeling a bit “naughty” being naked out there for “all the world” to see – even though we knew that the property is completely private.
Dinner: Barbequed shish ka bob. We’d sure worked up a hefty appetite!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442334113/" title="Shish Ka Bob by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/344 ... 0c6170.jpg" width="269" height="500" alt="Shish Ka Bob"></a>
Thursday, April 2
Our “resident” donkeys had been eluding us. We’d seen “evidence” of them in the front and side yard, and heard them going by our bedroom window at night but hadn’t yet seen them – until early this morning. This time when HT heard them, he jumped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom window where he spied one of them just as it rounded the corner of the house. Of course it was gone by the time I got there, but at least we know now that they aren’t “jumbies” of donkeys past.
Ahhh, the big decision of the day: which beach to snorkel. We decided on Honeymoon, and perhaps Solomon too – since it’s “next door” to Honeymoon. We parked at Caneel Bay resort - admiring the beautiful manicured grounds with their colorful array of gorgeous flowering trees and shrubs.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442979630/" title="More Bouganvillea by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/344 ... fc153e.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="More Bouganvillea"></a>
After a longish walk along a lovely tree-lined road, we finally came to Honeymoon beach – only to discover that the small bay had been inundated with snorkelers from three tour boats. We would have snorkeled there in spite of them, but a strong wind was creating big swells, and really churning up the water. So, we decided to see if Solomon was any better. We thought we were taking a “short cut”, but our path soon turned into a steep, rocky, rutted washout – our peaceful walk, into more of a vigorous “hike”. This was, of course, just fine with HT, who loves to hike – but not so fine with me, as I was wearing my “shorty” wet suit and sweating up a storm
Approximately ½ hour later, we discovered Solomon Bay to be – if anything – even rougher than Honeymoon. Arrrgh! After a short rest and a drink of cold water, we headed back up the “trail”. By the time we returned to the jeep, I was hot, very sweaty, and getting just a weeee bit cranky. “Just find me a calm bay somewhere – anywhere”, I pleaded! We tried Cinnamon Bay, which was better, but there were some swells there too that stirred up the water, and bobbed us about like corks. Still not willing to miss out on a peaceful snorkel on this beautiful day in “paradise”, I suggested we try Maho Bay. Eureka!
! The water there was surprisingly tranquil, and I was finally able to get my “snorkel fix” of the day.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443189728/" title="Have Jeep Will Snorkel by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/344 ... 5fcc2a.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Have Jeep Will Snorkel"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442358857/" title="More Maho by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/344 ... 8961b3.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="More Maho"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443176754/" title="Sea Grape Tree by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/344 ... a1a0b4.jpg" width="500" height="312" alt="Sea Grape Tree"></a>
Most of the bay has a sandy bottom, or sand combined with sea grass, but we did find a small reef on the right side that had lots of interesting sea life to enjoy. HT even saw three turtles.
Later, HT tried putting a Noni leaf on his no-see-um bites. (Those pesty “critters” just love him!) We’d heard it worked great as a pain killer but, unfortunately, didn’t do a thing for his many, many itchy welts
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442469485/" title="Noni Pain Killer by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/344 ... 25810b.jpg" width="257" height="500" alt="Noni Pain Killer"></a>
Dinner: Barbequed pork chops, garlic bread and… corn. Love the Grill Rub!
…………………………………………………………….
To be continued…..
Woke to the sound of rain pattering through the trees – relieved that our water cistern was getting replenished, so we wouldn’t have to worry (as much) about having enough water for our much-appreciated end-of-the-day showers. During the night we heard leaves crunching and an occasional “snorty” bray, as a couple of donkeys shuffled by below our bedroom window – though it was too dark to see them.
We drove into Cruz Bay again, and visited with Ron and Ruth at St. John Spice - where we picked up some “Cruz Bay Grill Rub” (a tantalizing blend of roasted garlic, onion, bell peppers, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, fennel, salt, and cane sugar), and a bottle of “Pirates Gold” (an “exotic mélange” of carambola, Bonnet Peppers and West Indian spices). If you haven’t already, you gotta give em a try.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442152429/" title="Shela's Pot - Best Food in Town by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/344 ... 4035ae.jpg" width="500" height="364" alt="Shela's Pot - Best Food in Town"></a>
It was still cloudy, with an occasional shower, but we did get a few sun breaks (Oregon weather term
). <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442155497/" title="Raindrops Keep Fallin on my Jeep by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/344 ... a06b16.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Raindrops Keep Fallin on my Jeep"></a>
We toured the sugar plantation ruins at Annaberg,
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442974352/" title="Stairway to Heaven by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/344 ... 00cd95.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Stairway to Heaven"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442156457/" title="Annaberg Windmill by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/344 ... 307653.jpg" width="500" height="480" alt="Annaberg Windmill"></a>
explored some interesting tide pools,
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442976272/" title="Leinster Bay by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/344 ... 637de4.jpg" width="331" height="500" alt="Leinster Bay"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442976924/" title="Brittle Star by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3396/344 ... f1b910.jpg" width="500" height="316" alt="Brittle Star"></a>
got a photo of a “Monkey-don’t-climb” tree with its thorny trunk,
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442975748/" title="Monkey Don't Climb by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/344 ... f40242.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Monkey Don't Climb"></a>
a photo of a Turpentine tree with its pealing/curly bark,
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442165993/" title="Turpentine Tree by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3322/344 ... d7d457.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Turpentine Tree"></a>
and some photos of three “wild” donkeys in the parking lot.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442166557/" title="Wild Donkeys My Ass by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/344 ... 474863.jpg" width="500" height="435" alt="Wild Donkeys My Ass"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442167279/" title="Hey, I'm Eating For 2 by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3371/344 ... 3c20dd.jpg" width="263" height="500" alt="Hey, I'm Eating For 2"></a>
Dinner that night: Barbequed steak, garlic bread and, of course, corn on the cob. It had been a nice “kick back” day – Yeah, we’re on “island time” now
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442168013/" title="Rib Eye Roast by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/344 ... b961c0.jpg" width="268" height="500" alt="Rib Eye Roast"></a>
NICE apron HT!
Wednesday April 1, 2009
We decided to snorkel Francis Bay again, but this time around the rocks to the left. Since the water had been a little chilly the other day, I decided this was a good opportunity to try out my new “shorty” wetsuit. I was a bit trepidatious, because it fit REALLY snug – especially around the neck. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it wasn’t at all constricting once I was in the water. Best of all, I wasn’t the least bit cold, and was able to just relax and thoroughly enjoy the snorkeling. Next year we plan to get HT one too.
HT is having trouble with water getting into his sinuses when he snorkels - which we had thought might have been because he had ruptured an ear drum as a child. He tried wearing ear plugs, but that did little to relieve the problem. Maybe he needs a new mask?? He did a little better today, but was still having some trouble and had to quit long before I did – which was a shame, because there was SO much to see.
I blissfully enjoyed the freedom of my buoyant, seemingly weightless, state as I floated among the vibrantly colored fish. Some hovered in groups; some darted among the rocks; some munched on the coral; some “rode” symbiotically on larger fish. There wasn’t a lot of coral, but what was there was colorful and intricate.
I could have stayed “forever”, but realized I was beginning to turn into a “prune”, so decided to join HT on the beach - where I found him sitting in the shade with a book and a can of Red Stripe. (Didn’t seem like he was suffering too much
) We enjoyed a picnic lunch of left-over spareribs while watching the pelicans. In their quest for fish de jour, the amusing birds often swooped low over the heads of nearby snorkelers and swimmers before “dive bombing” into the water - at times, right next to some poor, startled soul.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442964314/" title="Beak Can Hold More Than It's Bellycan by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/344 ... a49245.jpg" width="500" height="380" alt="Beak Can Hold More Than It's Bellycan"></a>
It was only about 1330 when we finished lunch and it was such a beautiful afternoon that we decided to go back to the house and get the 2-man kayak. Even though the villa is only ¼ mile from Francis Bay, getting the boat there was no easy feat as it’s about 20 feet long and heavy! But we were determined, and managed (after many rest stops) to finally get it to the water’s edge - then headed across the bay to Whistling Cay, which was a fairly easy paddle.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442325331/" title="Off We Go Into The Blue Yonder by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/344 ... 72bb07.jpg" width="500" height="446" alt="Off We Go Into The Blue Yonder"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442325899/" title="We Made It! by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/344 ... 002287.jpg" width="432" height="500" alt="We Made It!"></a>
We pulled up onto the little, cobble stone beach and were “greeted” by 3 large iguanas. Another kayaking couple, who was just leaving as we arrived, had been tossing food to them as they departed. GREAT!!! The prehistoric-looking creatures obviously expected us to have food for them too – which we didn’t. They were probably harmless, but looked rather menacing, and weren’t at all intimidated by us. (Were they really hissing, or did I just imagine that?)
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443143162/" title="This IS My Good Side by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/344 ... 6ff161.jpg" width="500" height="426" alt="This IS My Good Side"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443143614/" title="You Talkin To Me? by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/344 ... d4c39b.jpg" width="414" height="500" alt="You Talkin To Me?"></a>
They move a lot quicker than I would have thought, and aggressively approached us – despite our (in hind sight, rather comical) shooing gestures and hollering – sending us scurrying up the beach into a partially restored stone house that was, fortunately, nearby. After a few minutes, they lost interest in us and shuffled away.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442328957/" title="What a Shot by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/344 ... a68f2a.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="What a Shot"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443147010/" title="Fungi Passage by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/344 ... a265c2.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Fungi Passage"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442331311/" title="Leapin Lizard by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3387/344 ... cebd52.jpg" width="278" height="500" alt="Leapin Lizard"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443149210/" title="Binocular View by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/344 ... b53808.jpg" width="500" height="244" alt="Binocular View"></a>
The paddle back to Francis Bay was into the wind, so took a bit more effort than our paddle out. But, we got into a rhythm, and made fairly good time.
Back at the villa, we enjoyed taking a shower in the outdoor lattice “enclosure” – feeling a bit “naughty” being naked out there for “all the world” to see – even though we knew that the property is completely private.
Dinner: Barbequed shish ka bob. We’d sure worked up a hefty appetite!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442334113/" title="Shish Ka Bob by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/344 ... 0c6170.jpg" width="269" height="500" alt="Shish Ka Bob"></a>
Thursday, April 2
Our “resident” donkeys had been eluding us. We’d seen “evidence” of them in the front and side yard, and heard them going by our bedroom window at night but hadn’t yet seen them – until early this morning. This time when HT heard them, he jumped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom window where he spied one of them just as it rounded the corner of the house. Of course it was gone by the time I got there, but at least we know now that they aren’t “jumbies” of donkeys past.
Ahhh, the big decision of the day: which beach to snorkel. We decided on Honeymoon, and perhaps Solomon too – since it’s “next door” to Honeymoon. We parked at Caneel Bay resort - admiring the beautiful manicured grounds with their colorful array of gorgeous flowering trees and shrubs.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442979630/" title="More Bouganvillea by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/344 ... fc153e.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="More Bouganvillea"></a>
After a longish walk along a lovely tree-lined road, we finally came to Honeymoon beach – only to discover that the small bay had been inundated with snorkelers from three tour boats. We would have snorkeled there in spite of them, but a strong wind was creating big swells, and really churning up the water. So, we decided to see if Solomon was any better. We thought we were taking a “short cut”, but our path soon turned into a steep, rocky, rutted washout – our peaceful walk, into more of a vigorous “hike”. This was, of course, just fine with HT, who loves to hike – but not so fine with me, as I was wearing my “shorty” wet suit and sweating up a storm
Approximately ½ hour later, we discovered Solomon Bay to be – if anything – even rougher than Honeymoon. Arrrgh! After a short rest and a drink of cold water, we headed back up the “trail”. By the time we returned to the jeep, I was hot, very sweaty, and getting just a weeee bit cranky. “Just find me a calm bay somewhere – anywhere”, I pleaded! We tried Cinnamon Bay, which was better, but there were some swells there too that stirred up the water, and bobbed us about like corks. Still not willing to miss out on a peaceful snorkel on this beautiful day in “paradise”, I suggested we try Maho Bay. Eureka!
! The water there was surprisingly tranquil, and I was finally able to get my “snorkel fix” of the day. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443189728/" title="Have Jeep Will Snorkel by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/344 ... 5fcc2a.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="Have Jeep Will Snorkel"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442358857/" title="More Maho by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/344 ... 8961b3.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="More Maho"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3443176754/" title="Sea Grape Tree by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/344 ... a1a0b4.jpg" width="500" height="312" alt="Sea Grape Tree"></a>
Most of the bay has a sandy bottom, or sand combined with sea grass, but we did find a small reef on the right side that had lots of interesting sea life to enjoy. HT even saw three turtles.
Later, HT tried putting a Noni leaf on his no-see-um bites. (Those pesty “critters” just love him!) We’d heard it worked great as a pain killer but, unfortunately, didn’t do a thing for his many, many itchy welts
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36006979@N05/3442469485/" title="Noni Pain Killer by LinwardT, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/344 ... 25810b.jpg" width="257" height="500" alt="Noni Pain Killer"></a>
Dinner: Barbequed pork chops, garlic bread and… corn. Love the Grill Rub!
…………………………………………………………….
To be continued…..
Life is an adventure.
Treasure each moment.
Treasure each moment.
We saw one have a cocktail at a bar in Coral Bay!! IN UNIFORM!!! Crash applied for the STJ P.D. on the spot!!ifloat wrote:Oh my gosh! Are those actual police officers in your photo of Shela's Pot? We never saw one the whole time we were on the island. All the police cars were crammed in the police station lot.
Maybe they come out for lunchtime.
We saw a police officer at Gibney Beach. He wasn't in uniform, but he arrived in his patrol car and parked in front of the entrance gate.
When he pulled up, I thought maybe we were gonna get in trouble for parking in the wrong place, or something. But he just got out of his car and walked down to the water for a swim.
When he pulled up, I thought maybe we were gonna get in trouble for parking in the wrong place, or something. But he just got out of his car and walked down to the water for a swim.
Life is an adventure.
Treasure each moment.
Treasure each moment.
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
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