T&T Tour Gromits Trip Report: Day 10: Going.. Going....

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:12 am

Day 10 (last full day)

iTunes Daily Soundtrack

Island in the Sun - Weezer
And It Stoned Me - Van Morrison
Where the Boat Leaves From – Zac Brown Band
Hot n Cold – Katy Perry
Escape – Rupert Holmes
Love and Affection - Majek Fashek
Firefly – Michael Franti
Sex & Candy – Marcy Playground
Cinnamon Girl – Neil Young
Be Here Now – Ray LaMontagne
Corona and Lime – Swayze
All Summer Long – Kid Rock
Do Your Thing – Basement Jaxx

So today was to be our last full day on island. This is always a bittersweet day for me. It’s everything I can do to just put tomorrow out of my mind and focus on the moment. To soak up every minute of the day I have left.

Earlier in the week while hanging out at one of our favorite beaches, we had snorkeled around a point and discovered what looked to be a pretty cool beach.

After swimming back we pulled out the map to figure out which one we had snorkeled to. Yep, that would be our “last day” beach. After consulting the various guidebooks we figured out how to get where we were going on foot.

Since access to this beach was going to require some hiking the Flip Flops decided to opt for a more accessible beach instead – totally understandable with the kiddos. But we were up for a bit of adventure.

We soon found parking and headed down the fairly vertical trail. I knew it was going to be a bitch coming back up so I hoped that the beach would be worth it.

What we found was a beautiful, pristine and totally deserted beach. Amen.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dw ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky_I ... 4.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5j ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky_K ... 5.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kE ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky_U ... 2.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tH ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky_W ... 3.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/e9 ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky_L ... 6.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3S ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky_b ... 5.JPG"></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aT ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky_6 ... 3.JPG"></a>

We settled in for the long haul (we brought snacks so that we could stay as long as we felt like it).

Hubby and I had recognized from our earlier snorkel that the snorkeling here would probably be spectacular. With limited entry points from the beach this is an intermediate to advanced snorkeling spot. So off we headed into the water.

We were not disappointed. The snorkeling here was spectacular. Mature coral, huge fish, turtles… we saw it all. We stayed out for about an hour and a half circling around so that we could get back to shore. This was probably the best snorkel we had the whole trip.

By the time we got back to the beach and dried off we heard rustling in the bushes behind us… and lo and behold it was LMG Pia and Pia’s hubby Les!!!!

We hadn’t told anyone where we were going and they had picked the same of the beaten track beach!! We all had a great laugh about the whole thing. Well at least we’d be spending our last day with great people!

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/O3 ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky_1 ... 0.JPG"></a>

Pia and Les brought their own special concoction with them that they call a “Skeeter.” Pia told me what the recipe was but after one drink I was trashed and completely forgot what she told me.

I love this pic of Pia and Les

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Wx ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky_l ... 1.JPG"></a>

They hadn’t been to this particular beach before either and were equally impressed. It was at that point we all swore ourselves in true ‘Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood’ fashion to secrecy not to divulge the name of this particular beach.

If you’re into solving mysteries you can piece together which beach this is based on one of the daily trip reports from earlier in the week and I've given a few clues.

If you're adventurous enough you’ll find this beach on your own at some point and if you figure out where it is based on the photos I would only ask that you keep it to yourself.

Part of the fun of this particular beach is finding it on your own. If you want me to confirm your guess just PM me, but I think it would be fun to keep this particular location on the down low.

For years hubby has been bringing a machete down with us so that he can get coconuts down for me.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nL ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky_n ... 2.JPG"></a>

It was nice to relax on the beach and just munch away on fresh coconut. Did I tell you I have the most amazing husband in the whole world?

We whiled away the day until floating in the water and just having a great time with our new-found friends.

Finally the hour grew late and we headed back toward Coral Bay for our ‘last supper’ at Skinny Legs.

After a late lunch we headed back to the villa to get packed up.

It seemed that we were all fairly well organized so after we were all packed up we settled down to watch the Princess Bride with Mini Flip Flop. She’s seven and had never seen it. I think she liked it. We passed a mellow evening on the couch together.

Night fell and our last day had come and gone.

I.Can't.Believe.It's.Over.

Tomorrow: Walk of Woe

Chet · Post by **Chet** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:27 am

This is one of our "favorites", including the snorkel from ******. The east wind on ***** keeps the temps cool and the skeeters away. Brown Bay is another "off the grid" beach.

Those that have been there know.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:41 am

I think Chet was the kid in kindergarten running around telling everyone that there was no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny...

Chet · Post by **Chet** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:52 am

Gromit wrote:I think Chet was the kid in kindergarten running around telling everyone that there was no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny...

There is no Santa Clause! OMG!!! Gromit, say it ain't so... That is SO COOL, now I can be naughty

LMG · Post by **LMG** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:52 pm

That was so serendipitous! Great beach, great day.

'Skeeters are awesome!

Robin in NC · Post by **Robin in NC** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 1:20 pm

Since when is this board about keeping beaches secret? Aren't we all about sharing the good things of St. John with each other? I think the "you have to find it" idea is annoying, and I've appreciated and enjoyed your trip reports until now.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 1:27 pm

Robin-- the point was to have a little fun with the whole thing...

Sheesh. Since when does ANYONE take me seriously around here?

If I truly didn't want anyone to guess I wouldn't have posted the pics...

Jo Ann - VA · Post by **Jo Ann - VA** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:58 pm

Gromit - I have loved reading each and every one of your trip reports. Thanks for doing them!

Rachelle & Joe · Post by **Rachelle & Joe** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:58 pm

Gromit, thanks for the tr's & pics !!!! great updates ! nice beach ????????????

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 7:08 pm

Great report and I, for one, love a little mystery

I look trashed in that picture as well - Les perfectly vertical, me not so much - whoops

Pia

shelli0001 · Post by **shelli0001** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:06 pm

very nice pics, love those rocks.

i showed my 6yo son and he said "i have to go there! i bet creatures live on those rocks, probly even 3-toed sloths, right mama?" well you never know.

thanks for sharing your trip reports and i can't believe your husband brings a machete on vacation, LOL!

greyhoundmom · Post by **greyhoundmom** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:02 am

Gromit, I think I know this spot as I got in a lot of trouble here snorkeling with S/O and bro-sis-in-law. Seems it involved parking in a dip and walking down a platform to get to it.

I had a little too much Cruzan going on that day. Remember I loved it because no one else was there and how tricky it was getting in because of sea urchins. The snorkel was amazing and the current was fierce. The smart ones headed back halfway around but no, GHM was in her own world and had to go all the way, totally ignoring S/O who tried repeatedly to motion me back...so he followed and we ended up floating 3 inches over a million sea urchins trying to find a spot to put a fin down. I don't know how we got out without getting stung....he did a fin tiptoe out and his fins are permanantly curved under at the ends! Needless to say I received a severe tongue lashing. Think he was more afraid for my stupid butt than anything else. We spent several hours just soaking up this deserted spot. If you find it and you go, remember strong current and deep spots.....get out where you got in!

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