Trip report - part 3 - Wrap up

[jmq]

Left off with Part 2 with details of first days at Caneel. Day 5 June 22 after brief heavy rain in pre-dawn hours, a peak outside looks like clearing for a promising dawn. So I spray myself with some Off, grab the camera, sneak out, grab a to-go cup of coffee from the Caneel beach bar and hike over to the other side of the Caneel peninsula to the Caneel Hawknest section.

Just north of that beach and the outdoor spa gazebos I spy the signed entrance to what Caneel calls Marys Trail and what the Trail Bandit calls the Turtle Point Trail. This trail winds around the point from Caneel Hawknest to Turtle Bay beach. It is not difficult but slippery due to the earlier rain. I’m glad for my new Lands End Trekker shoes - they worked a lot better than my Reefs or Tevas would have.

About a third of the way around there is a bench facing due east that is the perfect spot to watch a beautiful dawn break over Hawksnest Bay, Mary Point and other parts east.
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Walking back I had WWVD (What Would Vicki Do) photo moment as I noticed the water droplets on the plants glistening in the sunlight. First I had to figure out how to work the macro function.

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Speaking of trying to break out of my usual landscape heavy mode of picture taking and be a little more creative, I had it in my mind to get over to the Caneel ruins to try some different stuff but never got there.

When I thought of it, lighting wasn’t conducive, or when lighting was good I didn’t think of it. That would probably best be tackled with a tripod anyway.

My daughter did grab this shot with her camera – not bad.
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She also got this sunset shot at Caneel Beach
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After the morning baconfest, my daughter and I went out on a Caneel sea kayak (included). That was fun, but we weren’t allowed to go around the point to Scott Beach.
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Beaches this day were Caneel Hawksnest and Turtle Bay.
From the Hawksnest snorkel:
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Break for Afternoon Tea at 4pm and then later at 6pm the Managers Reception, both at the beautiful Turtle Bay veranda. Great iced tea, scones, cookies at the tea, then good snackage like toasts with goat cheese, tiny quiches, etc. with rum punch, wine, etc. and a steel drum player. No good pix to post of that.

Misc Caneel views and critters:

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After the Managers Reception, the plan was to go into town for a lighter dinner at one of our favs, Sun Dog. We’ve done numerous lunches there, and even brunch (Baileys French Toast mmm…) and now they were doing dinner.

Turns out they were closed (how about updating your hrs of op signage?). So, we walked around checking out the usual suspects but nothing was floating our boat. The girls can be kinda picky, whereas when I reach a certain point of hunger, I don’t care as much. Was initially intrigued by Cafe Roma (never been) but figured it could be disappointing by comparison to the local Italian joints we frequent here in NJ.

Then my wife has an a-ha moment recalling she still has the free drink coupons for Zozo’s from Gallows so up we go to the bar to enjoy our complimentary drinks share a bunch of apps. Not as awesome as Saturday night (some were over-salted). Maybe the B team crew is in the kitchen on Mondays?

Day 6 June 23. Me and daughter take a morning drive out to walk and photograph Trunk and Maho while wife AMQ enjoys her coffee on the beach.

Check out this cool action shot my daughter caught on the drive. Captures taking those switchbacks pretty well with the slight blurring, even the steepness, etc.
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Misc beach shots

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And the first of apparently several shots of my butt that would be taken that day:

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Daughter took this one too – she’s developing a good eye.

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After the breakfast buffet, I head out to return the jeep to Paris. Lo and behold, I think I spy forum peeps Bob and Anita in the parking lot. Sure enough, intros are made and I find out a gathering is happening on Homeymoon. That’s cool since we couldn’t make Sunday night. B&A and I have corresponded on other travel destinations over the years.

As everybody else has mentioned, it was so nice to meet everybody. Seems I have my back to the camera to anybody who has posted a photo so far. I’m curious to see if B&A or liamsaunt have any other shots. I was too busy kibitzing to take any myself. That group of forum folks plus locals Ruth and Pia made our day.

Back to Scott Beach for reading, relaxing and snorkeling.
Misc Scott shots:
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Happy hour dinner that night at forum hotspot La Plancha del Mar. All apps, skewers, salads, and pizzas were great. Back at Caneel to sit on the beach and gaze at the stars.

Departure day: We still had $ left on our $200 resort credit we had recd as part of this Caneel deal and my wife came up with the brilliant idea of using it towards the Caneel ferry and transfers which is $50 a head. Otherwise we were looking at a cab to town, public ferry, then taxi to airport.

We had time to chill and relax and a last swim and some last photos prior to noon Caneel ferry for 3:45 flight.

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This Caneel ferry thing was pretty nice – complimentary drinks, step off into waiting vans, whisked off to airport, leave your bags in the room and don’t even touch them til they offload from a truck that follows the cabs. So, this is how the other half lives!

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OK, now I like to think of us as somewhat intrepid travelers – we did our own thing across Switzerland, out to Anegada last year, etc. But man, one could get spoiled by this.

Although this trip could only be six nights, it felt longer because of early non-stop flight coming, later afternoon flight leaving, and Caneel allowed minimization of jeep time and maximization of beach time for a reasonable price when you consider that you can count that breakfast buffet as 2 meals (= more time and $ savings). It’s a beautiful property with beautiful beaches and great snorkeling. While other beaches had significant skeeter issues while we were on island, they were never bad at Caneel. I saw no evidence of spraying – hopefully they just do a better job of controlling standing water and the like. Plus, we were told it was 90% full, but it never seemed like it.

Overall, a great trip and glad we pulled it off at reasonable cost. That enables a return trip that much sooner!

[c3p1]

Great report and pictures! Enjoyed it very much!

[Hawaii]

They are beautiful pictures!

[msgcolleen]

WWVD? That's exactly what she would do! Good eye~

Thanks for the great report and all the fabulous pics! Caneel is back on my list of must stays

[Gromit]

Hey JMQ-- you are killing me.... loved taking pictures of your butt!

It was great to meet you and yours. You have a beautiful family!

As always, FAB photos!

[liamsaunt]

Great photos as always! I especially like the leaf and the photo of Scott Beach.

Once we came down and joined up with the forumites, I didn't take any pictures at Honeymoon either. I got in the water and did not get back out again until we all packed it in around 4 PM.

I love leaving on the Caneel ferry. It makes going home a litle bit easier.

[LMG]

Looking at your photos is always a wonderful distraction from work. Beautiful!

It was great meeting you all!

[AnyTing]

Bravo on the water droplets shot. I love it!

Does it surprise you that it's my favorite?

[Robin in NC]

Great report, wonderful photos. Loved "WWVD." Thanks for the ideas to share on our next trip...

[lprof]

Wonderful photos...beautiful moments beautifully captured. I loved seeing them; thanks.

I think I would like Caneel.......

[Maggy]

Great photos as always.

Scott beach looks fantastic. I guess there are no way to get there unless you stay at Caneel, right?

[PA Girl]

Loved the reports, especially the Caneel pics as they jog so many happy memories.

I understand where you are coming from with the less Jeep time, big breakfast time savings, etc. We have a Caneel trip planned for 2010 and I can't wait!

[linne]

Great pics. I admire your dawn break pics and the sunset pic from Caneel.

Linne

[jmq]

Great photos as always.

Scott beach looks fantastic. I guess there are no way to get there unless you stay at Caneel, right?

Technically, yes. However, if you happen to wander over from the main "public" Caneel beach, do it in a very low key manner carrying minimal stuff such as a snorkel bag and a beach bag; dont park yourselves on the parts of the beach right in front of the beachfront rooms; and dont use the Caneel floaties. However, dont be surprised if you are politely reminded by Caneel staff to move back over to the public beach, especially if its high season. That said, during this trip, we never saw any Caneel staff (besides the drink cart) out by the beaches - maybe thats an area they cut back on to control costs or during off season?

[star2515]

loved the TR, your pictures are great. That donkey must hang out on Scott in that same spot alot...or we were there at the same time....which could have been since we were neighbors and all.
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