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Trip Report From Bert!! Day 8 Ready or Not!
Trip Report From Bert!! Day 8 Ready or Not!
Trip Report Day 8 Caneel and Conch Fritters Search
This was pretty much a turn down day. You know the one I mean, when you wake up and you know the dreaded "D" day is just around the corner. So we decided to do another thing we haven't done before. Visit Caneel Beach and see about walking over to Honeymoon. We had always heard that Caneel was a very pretty beach, public access and all.
But first, the birds need attention. I thought they had enough time to get used to the guy who was feeding them, so I figured, what the heck, let them eat out of my hand.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 6738"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkKbjt ... 0.JPG"></a>
They did everything except hop on my thumb and scarf down the sugar. I don't know, but if there were candidates for Diabetes, those birds would be on the top of the list! They can put away a bunch o sugar!
We loaded up the car with our Polar Bear, beach chairs, snorkel stuff, etc and headed for Caneel. We found the public parking area and walked toward the public beach. On the way were the Caneel Sugar Mill Ruins.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 8690"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkSV8Q ... 5.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 4690"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkWcWu ... 7.JPG"></a>
Very picturesque, and I understand you can have dinner amongst the ruins,,,,,somewhere there amongst them. Kind of expensive, but I bet very memorable.
We finally wound our way around the buildings, restaurants, and made our way to the beach. Lets say I was pretty much underwhelmed.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 4802"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkMNyQ ... 7.JPG"></a>
The beach area was O.K. but the cabins(?) were right there almost on the beach, and we felt like we were sitting in their front yards. I much prefer Gibney or any of a dozen other beaches to sit on.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 0994"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkN5zr ... 0.JPG"></a>
The view was nice.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 0882"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkNKg4 ... 9.JPG"></a>
But still, we didn't stay there very long. Soon we packed up and headed out. Since the newbie had some medical issues, we passed on walking over to Honeymoon. Something to do next time!
The walk back to the car:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 8706"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkXUHE ... 8.JPG"></a>
On the way out, however, there is this huge, beautiful Flamboyant tree (featured on "On St. John") and I thought I would stop and take a picture or two.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 8338"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkHzqU ... 3.JPG"></a>
While I was hanging out of the car window taking pictures, we looked up and "Bam" there was this:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 3874"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkGauj ... 2.JPG"></a>
It was Bambi, bigger than life. We hadn't even seen any donkeys, but there was this deer, just grazing.....posing......grazing some more.
Speaking of grazing, the Newbie wanted to try Conch Fritters. She had never even heard of them before let alone tried them. We had searched the entire time we were there. But everyone was either out of them, or they just didn't offer them on the menu. But after several stops and inquiries, we found they offered them at The Banana Deck! So of we went!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 0370"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkI6E6 ... 4.JPG"></a>
O.K....now we come to the Food Porn portion of the report.
Conch Fritters!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 5682"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkq_Ac ... 4.JPG"></a>
Then we had lunch. The newbie had a salad:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 2098"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkrlOO ... 5.JPG"></a>
I had the fish sandwich:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 2786"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYksxD9 ... 7.JPG"></a>
And Barb had a salad:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 3202"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYksWs5 ... 6.JPG"></a>
The drinks and food are very good at Banana Deck......I would recommend you go there, at least for lunch! It was YUMMY:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 8898"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYktxj_ ... 9.JPG"></a>
That just about concluded our day. Back to the villa for some pool time, more adult beverages ( I am obsessed, aren't I?) and then I prepared the evening meal. Chicken breasts, Asparagus and rice:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 2882"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkui28 ... 0.JPG"></a>
What a way to end the day!
Til next time......last full day.......booooo.
-Bert
This was pretty much a turn down day. You know the one I mean, when you wake up and you know the dreaded "D" day is just around the corner. So we decided to do another thing we haven't done before. Visit Caneel Beach and see about walking over to Honeymoon. We had always heard that Caneel was a very pretty beach, public access and all.
But first, the birds need attention. I thought they had enough time to get used to the guy who was feeding them, so I figured, what the heck, let them eat out of my hand.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 6738"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkKbjt ... 0.JPG"></a>
They did everything except hop on my thumb and scarf down the sugar. I don't know, but if there were candidates for Diabetes, those birds would be on the top of the list! They can put away a bunch o sugar!
We loaded up the car with our Polar Bear, beach chairs, snorkel stuff, etc and headed for Caneel. We found the public parking area and walked toward the public beach. On the way were the Caneel Sugar Mill Ruins.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 8690"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkSV8Q ... 5.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 4690"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkWcWu ... 7.JPG"></a>
Very picturesque, and I understand you can have dinner amongst the ruins,,,,,somewhere there amongst them. Kind of expensive, but I bet very memorable.
We finally wound our way around the buildings, restaurants, and made our way to the beach. Lets say I was pretty much underwhelmed.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 4802"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkMNyQ ... 7.JPG"></a>
The beach area was O.K. but the cabins(?) were right there almost on the beach, and we felt like we were sitting in their front yards. I much prefer Gibney or any of a dozen other beaches to sit on.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 0994"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkN5zr ... 0.JPG"></a>
The view was nice.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 0882"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkNKg4 ... 9.JPG"></a>
But still, we didn't stay there very long. Soon we packed up and headed out. Since the newbie had some medical issues, we passed on walking over to Honeymoon. Something to do next time!
The walk back to the car:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 8706"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkXUHE ... 8.JPG"></a>
On the way out, however, there is this huge, beautiful Flamboyant tree (featured on "On St. John") and I thought I would stop and take a picture or two.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 8338"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkHzqU ... 3.JPG"></a>
While I was hanging out of the car window taking pictures, we looked up and "Bam" there was this:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 3874"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkGauj ... 2.JPG"></a>
It was Bambi, bigger than life. We hadn't even seen any donkeys, but there was this deer, just grazing.....posing......grazing some more.
Speaking of grazing, the Newbie wanted to try Conch Fritters. She had never even heard of them before let alone tried them. We had searched the entire time we were there. But everyone was either out of them, or they just didn't offer them on the menu. But after several stops and inquiries, we found they offered them at The Banana Deck! So of we went!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 0370"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkI6E6 ... 4.JPG"></a>
O.K....now we come to the Food Porn portion of the report.
Conch Fritters!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 5682"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkq_Ac ... 4.JPG"></a>
Then we had lunch. The newbie had a salad:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 2098"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkrlOO ... 5.JPG"></a>
I had the fish sandwich:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 2786"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYksxD9 ... 7.JPG"></a>
And Barb had a salad:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 3202"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYksWs5 ... 6.JPG"></a>
The drinks and food are very good at Banana Deck......I would recommend you go there, at least for lunch! It was YUMMY:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 8898"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYktxj_ ... 9.JPG"></a>
That just about concluded our day. Back to the villa for some pool time, more adult beverages ( I am obsessed, aren't I?) and then I prepared the evening meal. Chicken breasts, Asparagus and rice:
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CaribBert/S ... 2882"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/CaribBert/SKYkui28 ... 0.JPG"></a>
What a way to end the day!
Til next time......last full day.......booooo.
-Bert
The liver is evil, it must be punished!
Great report and pictures! I'm with you on Caneel, I had the same feeling. When the boat arrived with guests, we left. It felt as you described - being in their front yard, like intruders! I wasn't too impressed. How did the newbie like the conch fritters? I only gave them one chance and didn't like them. now I feel like maybe I should have tried them at another place, after seeing your picture.
I am really enjoying your reports and photos, Bert, especially since I am going to be there in 2 days! You know how you get into obsessed mode right before a trip to STJ? Yeah, that's where I am (work? what's that?). Trip reports just feed into the obsession! We've never been to the Banana Deck, so maybe this time we'll give it a try.
Thank you for the tr and pictures. The tree is spectacular! And the deer! Caneel beach may not have done it for you, but you did get some memorable photos. My husband loves conch fritters, me - not so much. He preferred them at Shipwreck. We have not been to Banana Deck either - it looks like a good place to check out (in February).
Deb
Deb
Yum, food porn! I had the same fish sandwich that you did at Banana Deck. It was pretty good, but John got their spicy mahi wrap, and that blew the grouper sandwich out of the water! You should try that next time.
I kind of agree with your comments on Caneel's main beach. I don't really like hanging out there even when I am staying at Caneel. It's too busy. There is good snorkeling on the right side though.
I kind of agree with your comments on Caneel's main beach. I don't really like hanging out there even when I am staying at Caneel. It's too busy. There is good snorkeling on the right side though.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.