final days 14-18

[cindygad]

Wednesday we decided to try a new snorkel. Haulover North was too rough so we did the rock scramble to north eastern Haulover. We enjoyed this snorkel alot. We saw yellow coral that reminded me of a castle. My DH snorkeled the little fringe of mangroves along the coast. The fans were beautiful out around the point.

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0216.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0216.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0191.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0191.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0195.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0195.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

We took the path from the sandy beach out to the road to come back. It comes out right by new house with blue roof.

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0219.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0219.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0223.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0223.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0223.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0223.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

We then went to snorkel Haulover South to the right this time. We saw another spotted ray in deep water and he was just swimming around so we got to enjoy his beauty from afar.

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0236.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... G_0236.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

This is the first year I learned how to dive down to get closer for pictures. It used to hurt my ears too much and this year it did not bother me.

Today was my birthday. I have been a very lucky girl and this has been the 3rd birthday in a row I have been blessed to spend on St John, We headed to Caneel parked in their lot and took the short walk to Honeymoon. We met another guide here who was taking people on a Kayak tour out of Cruz bay. We enjoyed watching all the cruise snorkelers roll in around 10 and the hikers invade the beach too. It was fun people watching. They stay around a hour and then it is quiet again. Had to stop for Mango dream drink at bar on Caneel. We just went to maho to relax for the afternoon.

We had reservations at ZOZO's at the bar for 530 sunset. I had maui maui with goat cheese salad my DH had stuffed soul that he said was excellent. We enjoyed our visit with 3 couples at the bar.

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... MG0317.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... MG0317.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... nt=357.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... ad/357.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... nt=358.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... ad/358.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Trip is winding down so we usually do our favorite things again. Snorkeling at the mooring balls going into Linster bay remained our favorite snorkel this year.


<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... 0252-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... 0252-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a

We stopped at Candies in Cruz bay for ribs and grilled fish the sides of rice and peas and coleslaw were great too.Saturday our last day. We went to Haulover south and then to our favorite beach this year Gibney. I swam over and snorkeled at Hawksnest easy swim from Gibney.

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... C_0347.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... C_0347.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... C_0338.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... C_0338.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Sunday our travel day home starts with catching the 0600 ferry for early flight.

In summary this trip has been the most relaxing and rejuvenating trip. We did alot of firsts and have many more to experience next Jan. 3 weeks booked for next year and we will be bringing my sister and her husband for one week next year. We look forward to sharing St John with newbies.

I have been lurking on forum almost daily for 3 years and want to thank all of you for sharing your wealth of information. For me the last year the food and restaurant information has been minimal. I look forward to experiencing new restaurants next year and hope everyone continues to share their favorites.

Thanks for letting me share our adventure with you.

[msgcolleen]

Thanks again for the great report and pictures! So glad you had a wonderful birthday trip! Love the sunset shot at Zozo's~ We sat in those exact chairs for my 40th birthday! Makes getting older more fun!

3 weeks next year? Lucky girl~ *n-joy*

[bdkane]

Yes, thanks for the report - it helps support my "habit"

[SOonthebeach]

great report and pics again cindy- looks like ya'll had the perfect trip! You returned the favor to the forum with lots of great tips of your own- I'm going to use some of them on my next trip!

[Lovermont]

waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh...
Couldn't you have stayed a little longer? I don't want the reports to end.
Boohoo

[EagleRayLover]

sounds like a wonderful trip!! good snorkeling excursions! Good food! Awesome Firsts! and several eagles rays! What more could one ask for....oh yeah .. a few extra days!!! Thanks for the report!

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

I really loved your trip report! Nice to live vicariously through others untill we can get our toes in the sand!

[AquaGirl]

Thank you for all your lovely trip reports. I enjoyed reading each one and seeing the pics. We don't have a trip planned yet, due to family matters, so I love reading about others trips. Its a little mini-getaway for me.
I was interested in hearing about the rock scramble to north eastern Haulover, then it looks like you took a path back to the road. I've never heard of that snorkel, but it sounds like a good one.

[GraysonDave]

Very nice, thanks for the reports. Staying longer than the typical one week sounds like a great plan.

[liamsaunt]

I am just getting caught up on the trip reports that were posted while I was gone and wanted to say how much I enjoyed yours. Very nice pictures and you had some awesome snorkel sightings!

The Leinster shore snorkel was our favorite this trip too! In 16 trips John and I had never done it before. I was really blown away by the beauty of the coral and the fish we saw there. It's amazing how you can always find something new to explore.

[roadnottaken]

thanks for the great trip-report! my wife and I are heading to STJ for 12 days next week and I printed out your whole report to stuff in my 'inspiration folder'

[Bigcheeze]

TY for the TR and pics...I think I'm going to change our trip from 11 days to 3 weeks and the send the kids home with the Grandparents on day 11...LOL

[mahojim]

Just gorgeous, Cindy. Thank you!
Wonderful TR & pix.
I'm totally impressed that you stayed on STJ for so long.
Me?-I'd end up morphing into a bald glob of goo &
Smiles-
MJ
Oh yeah, I already am!
Thanks again for recharging my STJ dreams!