16 more days in paradise, part two

[liamsaunt]

Part one here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... 2507865257

Day five

Today we went to Hawksnest.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854860009/" title="hawksnest straight view by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/485 ... 95d074.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="hawksnest straight view"></a>

We followed the path as far to the left as possible, and ended up with a shady alcove in the trees all to ourselves, even though the main part of the beach was crowded. Our little alcove:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854849899/" title="hawksnest left side by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/485 ... a1e022.jpg" width="500" height="327" alt="hawksnest left side"></a>

Snorkeling was just OK—a little choppy. For some reason there were tons of filefishes:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854846533/" title="hawksnest filefish by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/485 ... 5f1f24.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="hawksnest filefish"></a>

and squid around.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854856021/" title="hawksnest squid 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/485 ... a770d8.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="hawksnest squid 2"></a>

Night sargeant:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854850687/" title="hawksnest night seargant by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/485 ... c29a46.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="hawksnest night seargant"></a>

We swam over to Gibney and relaxed there for a while then came back to our alcove and read books.

Our original plan was to spend the afternoon at Cinnamon Bay but right as we were packing up a bunch of emergency vehicles started going by—police, ambulance, National Parks, St. john rescue—so rather than possibly get stuck on the North Shore Road from an accident, we went back into town and up centerline to Coral Bay for lunch at Shipwreck Landing. I always get the grilled mahi sandwich and it is always good (though I wish they had better rolls).

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854858857/" title="shipwreck mahi by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/485 ... 3b37fc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="shipwreck mahi"></a>

We then headed to Trunk Bay, where we spent the afternoon swimming in the waves (no snorkeling though) and drinking the rest of the wine we ordered with lunch. Stayed until sunset and then headed back to the house for dinner of pasta with grilled chicken and grape tomatoes.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4856836596/" title="colibri pasta salad by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/485 ... 0c53ca.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="colibri pasta salad"></a>

Day six

Got up early and made a big breakfast. As we were eating Catered To called to check on how we were enjoying the villa. I mentioned that the dryer in the master bath had stopped working the day before, and they said they would send someone out. Less than 10 minutes later, the repair man was at the gate. That is service! (It turned out to be operator error also, which made me feel stupid, but he was very nice about it)

It was raining on and off but we were not deterred from snorkeling. Headed over to the East End—Haulover North was not passable—way too choppy—but Haulover South was calm so we headed in.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855561082/" title="haulover entry by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/485 ... bafd79.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="haulover entry"></a>

This is when John’s D10 flooded. ARGH. But we shared my camera and had an enjoyable snorkel, sighting a turtle:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855566720/" title="haulover turtle 3 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/485 ... e435bb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="haulover turtle 3"></a>

tang:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854943363/" title="haulover tang 4 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/485 ... 410457.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="haulover tang 4"></a>

lots of coral, angelfish, puddingwife:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854878345/" title="haulover puddingwife by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/485 ... c4d7a9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="haulover puddingwife"></a>

a triggerfish, etc. We went out on the left side around the point—if you go around the point, there is some very good large coral to be found.

Next snorkel stop: the mangroves at Princess Bay.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854938275/" title="princess by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/485 ... d29f27.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="princess"></a>

No fins for this snorkel, you push yourself along by swimming with your arms.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854887565/" title="princess mussels by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/485 ... 27d85c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="princess mussels"></a>


Lots of baby fish, starfish, conch, and sea cucumbers:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854889225/" title="princess three rowed sea cucmber color variation by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/485 ... 0d2a31.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="princess three rowed sea cucmber color variation"></a>


to be found, along with large rays in the deeper center of the bay.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854873533/" title="princess mangrove roots with coral by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/485 ... c0f250.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="princess mangrove roots with coral"></a>

Back to Colibri for a late lunch of chicken salad:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4858605850/" title="colibri microgreens chicken salad by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/485 ... 6c70cd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="colibri microgreens chicken salad"></a>

then spent the afternoon in the pool reading.

After the sun went down we got cleaned up and went to dinner at Cruz Bay Prime. I posted my thoughts about this place while on island and won't type it all in again--bottom line, we won't go again. There are too many other places.

Day seven

Hard to believe that it is day seven already. I felt like we just got to St. John, but also that we had been here forever.

Today we snorkeled Waterlemon.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4856840834/" title="leinster shore by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/485 ... ea2ce6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="leinster shore"></a>

The current was running and there was lots of sediment in the water, but it was still a good snorkel. We found a couple of new-to-us fish—a tobbacofish, and a butter hamlet.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855131163/" title="waterlemon butter hamlet 4 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/485 ... 9e03c6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="waterlemon butter hamlet 4"></a>

Also found the usual suspects of barracuda, jacks, fry, parrotfish:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855590210/" title="waterlemon stoplight parrotfish by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/485 ... 4755ea.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="waterlemon stoplight parrotfish"></a>

trunkfish. Cushion sea stars:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855129817/" title="waterlemon cushion sea stars 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/485 ... 08bf5d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="waterlemon cushion sea stars 2"></a>

Anenome:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854962267/" title="waterlemon anenome by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/485 ... d6ca48.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="waterlemon anenome"></a>

John made the best sighting of the trip when he found a large eagle ray.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854953867/" title="waterlemon er by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/485 ... 889fa1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="waterlemon er"></a>

We swam with him for about ½ hour, until a gargantuan barracuda came over and scared it off. It was a great snorkel and I al glad we got there early because it got incredibly crowded.

John got a blister on the walk back so we cancelled our planned Leinster shore snorkel


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855113291/" title="Leinster Bay with boat by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/485 ... 68c403.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Leinster Bay with boat"></a>

and went back to Colibri to relax. Thunderstorm started in the late afternoon, so we ended up back inside, reading books and relaxing. I have no idea what we did for food on this day. Hmmm....

Day eight

This was supposed to be our boat trip day, but Captain Brandi called early to cancel, saying that the seas had high swells and we would not be able to snorkel. I was pretty bummed out, but there is always next time.

Back to sleep as the skies opened up and the beginnings of a tropical wave bore down on us. Huge pouring rains and lots of thunder and lightning continued through the morning.

It briefly cleared around 11:30 so we decided to take a chance and go to Francis. Mistake. By the time we got there the skies were dark again. We tried to wait it out on the beach but the bugs were biting and it was obviously not going to clear so we headed back to the car, getting there just as the rain started pouring down again.

Back to the villa. The day was a washout—we just read books and made an early dinner of pasta with greens and tomatoes. It was so dark from the storms that the picture did not come out, but it was tasty. Thunderstorms continued through the evening, so we went to bed early, hoping for better weather tomorrow.

[Kentuckygirl]

I love your pictures, especially while snorkeling the mangroves!

[Kentuckygirl]

Oops, hit submit to quick!...sorry about the cancelled boat day. Hopefully the weather cleared back up for you all!

[jmq]

That squid photo looks 3D because of the limited depth of field.

Nice eagle ray shot. Amazes me how much more muscular (for lack of better word) they are when they move compared to the common rays.

Also forgot to give you props for that very cool two turtle near the surface shot in Part 1.

[Little Mermaid]

Your photos are just amazing! Thank so much for sharing them and your trip report. What was your favorite place to snorkel on this trip?

[Pickle]

It's hard to distinguish the food you cooked from the food you had at restaurants by looking at your photos!

I'm glad to hear the memory card was essentially empty when his D10 flooded. I share your sentiment - it would be more upsetting losing the photos than the camera itself.

[cptnkirk]

Gurl you take some great shots, those underwaters are getting me all fired up for our upcoming trip.

[Anthony]

The photos are just amazing! As is the report -

[Skipd]

Great photos! I learn more from your fish identification than from a lot of books. Also, who is the cook in your family? I would rather eat at your villa than some of the restaurants on St John.

[mahojim]

Love, love, LOVE your pix and reports.
Hope to meet you guys some day.
Thanks! You make me miss STJ more than I already did...
Smiles-
MJ
PS-
I'd love to know the ingredients, including dressing, that you used for that yummy looking chicken salad...
Mrs. Mahojim would love it!

[msgcolleen]

Must put Princess Bay on my list!

[Agent99]

I always look forward to and love your reports Becky! I'm sorry about the camera. Now I'm going back to look for your experience at Cruz Bay Prime....is that the new steakhouse at the Westin?

[djmom]

Wonderful photos as always!

[linne]

A marvellous report!

Linne

[Diana2]

Love, love, love your trip reports and this one doesn't disappoint. The villa looks great and I may rethink staying on the south side in the future. Love the picture of the permit. I haven't seen one of these in years. Can't wait for the rest of the installments. Your reports rock!