SOTB III days 5 and 6

Travel discussion for St. John
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sea-nile
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Location: Southeast Wisconsin

SOTB III days 5 and 6

Post by sea-nile »

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

It was an early morning for Wounderwoman, Maggy and Sea-nile as they headed down the hill to Cruz Bay for a morning of diving with LowKey Water Sports. Our group of five enjoyed their first dive at Calf and a second dive at Steven’s Cay. Locations were selected after the first choice was aborted because of heavy current. We later learned that the North Shore Beaches were closed because of the North Swell. Calf Rock was a great first dive back. We saw Flamingo Tongues on purple fans, a wide variety of corals, and fish. The second dive at Stephen’s Cay was an equally good experience.

We finished our dives, returned to the beach, rinsed our gear, and relaxed at the Beach Bar with an adult beverage while planning our afternoon. We opted for Salt Pond and found no surf at all. We snorkeled and saw a stingray, peacock flounder, and cowfish.

The rest of the group went to Jost Van Dyke that day and they will need to add their report.

We returned to the villa, enjoyed leftovers and hung out enjoying the full moon.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Maggy opted out on additional diving but there was not stopping Wounderwoman and Sea-nile as they went diving again with Low Key. Captain Bob and Jeremy took us to a new location, Castle Rock (aka, Don’s Folly) for the first dive. It was a great dive along a rocky shelf and a sandy floor. There was a GIANT sting ray that was over 4 foot across that was large enough that it knew that it owned its area and simply refused to budge. It noted that we were there and dismissed us as if we meant nothing to it. The other great find was an Eagle Ray off in the distance. It was not close enough for great visibility but there was no mistaking the size, shape and grace and it flew through the water along the edge of our visibility.

We enjoyed a second dive at Cow Rock with the usual swim throughs and great assortment and variety of fish and corals. We celebrated our incredible morning at the Beach Bar with buschwackers. There is nothing better following a dive. Perfect drink…Perfect location…Perfect sequence. YUM!

We finished our drinks and lunch and headed to Trunk Bay to meet the rest of the group. We saw a variety of fish including squid. It was yet another beautiful day at the beach. As a group we returned to the Villa, enjoyed a few drinks around the pool and fixed a great Tex-Mex dinner with chicken quesadillas, Mexican rice and beans and the required margaritas. Following a light shower, we relaxed in the hot tub and listened to music.

Tuesday's dive:
Maggy:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4088941353/" title="211 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/408 ... 61fcd7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="211"></a>

Wounderwoman:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4088949737/" title="199 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/408 ... 227a79.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="199"></a>

Sea-nile:

Image


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4088943139/" title="222 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2485/408 ... 583512.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="222"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4089709150/" title="233 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/408 ... 83832d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="233"></a>

some of Maggy's shots:

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A few of Wounderwoman's shots:

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salt pond

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4089712210/" title="242 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/408 ... 11e6f3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="242"></a>

The other group was at Jost:
They will have to chime in and tell you all about it.
Jo Ann VA's pics:
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Wednesday on the first dive my camera flooded so this was my last picture before that camera died. :cry:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4089727700/" title="IMG_8873 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/408 ... 7045a5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_8873"></a>

Some of Wounderwoman's shots:
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Trunk Bay and a Kingfisher (Maggy's pic):
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jayseadee
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Post by jayseadee »

Sounds like more a good time. But doing 2 days at a time, this week is just flying by.

Why does the Jost group look sad? Were they out of rum that day?
janet
Maggy
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Post by Maggy »

Anyone know what this is? And I'm not talking about the flamingo tongue.

Image

Blue Chromis closeup

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redbanded parrotfish

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Pillar coral (not the best visibility this day:

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Last edited by Maggy on Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
tipsy
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Post by tipsy »

great pics. looks like you all are having the time of your life. Keep enjoying.
No ticker anymore. Next vac will prob. be the Fl Keys.
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Ksea
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Post by Ksea »

It sounds like the diving was the highlight of this trip (so far). Great underwater pics everyone! Yeah, the group at Jost looks mighty thirsty :wink:
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Bigcheeze
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Post by Bigcheeze »

Love the dive pics!!!!

Dave
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sea-nile
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Post by sea-nile »

Quote from Maggy:
Anyone know what this is? And I'm not talking about the flamingo tongue.


Maggy watch it or you will be in trouble for posting X-rated pictures! :lol:
Maggy
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Post by Maggy »

sea-nile wrote:Quote from Maggy:
Anyone know what this is? And I'm not talking about the flamingo tongue.


Maggy watch it or you will be in trouble for posting X-rated pictures! :lol:
Yeah, right - underwater porn :lol: :lol:

I want to know what it is though. Maybe I'll ask on scubaboard. They have a subforum that's called "name that critter".
mindehankins
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Post by mindehankins »

We need a name that critter forum here, too! Until I get my fabulous set of books for Christmas, that Liamsaunt recommended!
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VaGirl
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Post by VaGirl »

jayseadee wrote:
Why does the Jost group look sad? Were they out of rum that day?

Rum was still flowing, we were waiting on the wonderful burgers from Jewels.....and the sad faces come from knowing we had only a short while until we had to go catch the ferry and leave those white beaches till next year... 8)
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jayseadee
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Post by jayseadee »

VaGirl wrote:
jayseadee wrote:
Why does the Jost group look sad? Were they out of rum that day?

Rum was still flowing, we were waiting on the wonderful burgers from Jewels.....and the sad faces come from knowing we had only a short while until we had to go catch the ferry and leave those white beaches till next year... 8)
ooooh - I remember those Jewels burgers from last year. They are the best!

Now I'm sad :cry:
janet
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sea-nile
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Post by sea-nile »

Maggy, I thought that you had a name for that fish. Wasn't is a slippery dick? :oops: :lol:
cptnkirk
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Post by cptnkirk »

Great pics :D
Pillar coral and I always thought this was Penis Erectus coral shows what I know :lol:
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46 ... G_3193.jpg
b-as-u-r
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Location: AliMac from F.V., CT

Post by b-as-u-r »

Thanks for the trip down memory lane; damn we had a great time! Can't wait until next year to spend another week with you great ladies. Ali~
STJ - I "get it"
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