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Adventure in Paradise Part 3
Adventure in Paradise Part 3
Day 7: July 7
Well back to my routine of relaxing while I wait for the kids to get started. After several cups of coffee, we decided to go to Hawksnest today and were not disappointed. The snorkeling was the best yet. We snorkeled over to little Hawksnest and saw a Nurse Shark and a couple of rays on the way. In addition, my wife and son snorkeled over to Gibney and played on the beach. Having done this, they proclaimed that we could walk to Gibney from Hawksnest since the water was only chest deep. Sounds like a good idea since parking at Gibney can be marginal but it might be difficult to get the cooler over … My abilities to balance loads on my head like a Sherpa are somewhat limited. I also let my son take over underwater photo duties since he seems to have a better eye for it.
Tonight is a full moon and we had decided to meet at the Beach Bar for a “howling party”. So we cleaned up and headed over about 7:30 pm since that was about the time for sunset. Turns out we got to the BB late as everyone had moved on (sorry we missed you all) but we settled in for a dinner anyway. After a dinner of Mahi-Mahi for me (notice a pattern?), Steak Salad, Hamburger, and Jerk Chicken for everyone else, all washed down with several painkillers and/or Bushwackers, we headed back up to the villa to conclude yet another beautiful day in paradise!
Day 8: July 8
Today seemed like the perfect “Villa Gravity Day”. My son’s sunburned back was itching so he spent the day going back and forth between the hot tub and pool. His girlfriend took the opportunity to do a little work although as you can see from the photos, I am not sure the view wasn’t a little distracting. While the kids settled in, my wife and I decided to drive into town and do a little shopping. We stocked up with spices at St John Spice and met Ruth (nice lady) and even bought a bug zapper to take home. I figure one of these in Virginia will turn me into “Conan the Destroyer” of insects. They have never seen this instrument of destruction on our back patio and I am really looking forward to wrecking havoc with the flies that bother us during dinner!
After a relaxing day at the pool and watching the birds, we all got “dressed” for dinner at ZoZo’s (in this case, I interpret dressed to mean putting on sandals instead of flip-flops and making sure my shirt and shorts are clean). Dinner was GREAT; in fact it was so good we made a promise to ourselves to return later in the week. After appetizers of Escargot, Prosciutto Antipasti, Calamari, and Bruschetta, we settled down to our main courses. These included Shrimp with Truffle Risotto, Pine nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi (not for me but for my son this time), Veal Chop with garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Osoboko with Risotto. We finished off with a dessert of Tiramisu and Chocolate Torte. Thankfully I refuse to be on a diet while on St John (although 2 weeks back home and I am still paying for that approach)!
Deciding that there was nothing left to eat; we waddled out of the restaurant and headed back up the hill for a good night’s sleep.
Day 9: July 9
Ok, it is now time to work off that big dinner we had last night! So we decided to head over to Lienster Bay and Waterlemon Cay. I figure, if the hike in doesn’t get you, the snorkel around the Cay should. Once again, the weather was warm and humid and the hike in was hot. Luckily once we got there, the water was cooling. Anyway, after a proper cooling off interval everyone got prepared for the snorkel out to Waterlemon. This was a great snorkel day and we ran across many starfish, rays, turtles, and fish of all types. Once again my son had responsibility for taking underwater pictures and I think his abilities improved even further.
If we thought the hike into Leinstner was hot, we were wrong … the hike out was HOT! By the time we got back to the car, we were all looking for a more traditional laid back beach to relax on and cool off in. Seemed to me like Cinnamon would fit the bill but when we arrived I realized it would require some effort on our part. We walked all the way to the east end of Cinnamon and finally found a secluded shady spot where it looks like the locals store volleyball equipment. This turned out to be a perfect spot to relax in and sip a few cool ones while some of the party tried to snorkel. The high winds and strong currents did not make for very good snorkeling but they did spot some large angel fish.
After this full day of adventure, we decided to fix dinner in the villa. My son’s girlfriend started us out with Crostinis while he made Burritos all of which were very tasty … as I have said before everything tastes better in St John. With the obligatory red wine, we were happy people indeed!
TOMORRROW WE TAKE THE FERRY TO JOST!!
Well back to my routine of relaxing while I wait for the kids to get started. After several cups of coffee, we decided to go to Hawksnest today and were not disappointed. The snorkeling was the best yet. We snorkeled over to little Hawksnest and saw a Nurse Shark and a couple of rays on the way. In addition, my wife and son snorkeled over to Gibney and played on the beach. Having done this, they proclaimed that we could walk to Gibney from Hawksnest since the water was only chest deep. Sounds like a good idea since parking at Gibney can be marginal but it might be difficult to get the cooler over … My abilities to balance loads on my head like a Sherpa are somewhat limited. I also let my son take over underwater photo duties since he seems to have a better eye for it.
Tonight is a full moon and we had decided to meet at the Beach Bar for a “howling party”. So we cleaned up and headed over about 7:30 pm since that was about the time for sunset. Turns out we got to the BB late as everyone had moved on (sorry we missed you all) but we settled in for a dinner anyway. After a dinner of Mahi-Mahi for me (notice a pattern?), Steak Salad, Hamburger, and Jerk Chicken for everyone else, all washed down with several painkillers and/or Bushwackers, we headed back up to the villa to conclude yet another beautiful day in paradise!
Day 8: July 8
Today seemed like the perfect “Villa Gravity Day”. My son’s sunburned back was itching so he spent the day going back and forth between the hot tub and pool. His girlfriend took the opportunity to do a little work although as you can see from the photos, I am not sure the view wasn’t a little distracting. While the kids settled in, my wife and I decided to drive into town and do a little shopping. We stocked up with spices at St John Spice and met Ruth (nice lady) and even bought a bug zapper to take home. I figure one of these in Virginia will turn me into “Conan the Destroyer” of insects. They have never seen this instrument of destruction on our back patio and I am really looking forward to wrecking havoc with the flies that bother us during dinner!
After a relaxing day at the pool and watching the birds, we all got “dressed” for dinner at ZoZo’s (in this case, I interpret dressed to mean putting on sandals instead of flip-flops and making sure my shirt and shorts are clean). Dinner was GREAT; in fact it was so good we made a promise to ourselves to return later in the week. After appetizers of Escargot, Prosciutto Antipasti, Calamari, and Bruschetta, we settled down to our main courses. These included Shrimp with Truffle Risotto, Pine nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi (not for me but for my son this time), Veal Chop with garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Osoboko with Risotto. We finished off with a dessert of Tiramisu and Chocolate Torte. Thankfully I refuse to be on a diet while on St John (although 2 weeks back home and I am still paying for that approach)!
Deciding that there was nothing left to eat; we waddled out of the restaurant and headed back up the hill for a good night’s sleep.
Day 9: July 9
Ok, it is now time to work off that big dinner we had last night! So we decided to head over to Lienster Bay and Waterlemon Cay. I figure, if the hike in doesn’t get you, the snorkel around the Cay should. Once again, the weather was warm and humid and the hike in was hot. Luckily once we got there, the water was cooling. Anyway, after a proper cooling off interval everyone got prepared for the snorkel out to Waterlemon. This was a great snorkel day and we ran across many starfish, rays, turtles, and fish of all types. Once again my son had responsibility for taking underwater pictures and I think his abilities improved even further.
If we thought the hike into Leinstner was hot, we were wrong … the hike out was HOT! By the time we got back to the car, we were all looking for a more traditional laid back beach to relax on and cool off in. Seemed to me like Cinnamon would fit the bill but when we arrived I realized it would require some effort on our part. We walked all the way to the east end of Cinnamon and finally found a secluded shady spot where it looks like the locals store volleyball equipment. This turned out to be a perfect spot to relax in and sip a few cool ones while some of the party tried to snorkel. The high winds and strong currents did not make for very good snorkeling but they did spot some large angel fish.
After this full day of adventure, we decided to fix dinner in the villa. My son’s girlfriend started us out with Crostinis while he made Burritos all of which were very tasty … as I have said before everything tastes better in St John. With the obligatory red wine, we were happy people indeed!
TOMORRROW WE TAKE THE FERRY TO JOST!!
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adventure in paradise part 3
These underwater pics r GORGEOUS ! THANKS 
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