USVI-On-Line

VickiH wrote:Sorry, guys, but you know I'm long winded, and I hate breaking it up. So here it is! All at once. You may have to read it in segments......

I took 900 photos, managed to choose my 500 favorites to upload, and then managed to choose 200 of my VERY favorites. Here is the link to those:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N ... 304123300/

Sunday, May 20

My first solo travel day. Knowing I would spend the next 12 hours worrying about whether or not I could manage to back my Jeep onto the ferry, I got up at 4:30 am to catch the 7:15 flight out of Knoxville. Thanks to carry-on only, flights and transfers were a breeze and once I stepped off the plane at 3:00 pm in St. Thomas and felt that first rush of hot air, I was on my way. I made record time at the Budget counter and was given a brand new Jeep Wrangler X. Nice. The weather was absolutely perfect, and I found the drive to Red Hook was a breeze. I can't explain how I felt as I drove across St. Thomas. I felt on top of the world, empowered, like I could do anything. It was great. No traffic in St. Thomas on Sunday got me to the ferry dock at 3:45. Unfortunately, I didn't get on a ferry until an hour later, due to a limited schedule of car barges on Sunday. Oh well, I was so happy to be there, I couldn't have cared less.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526659646/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/5266 ... e31e59.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="My first solo trip on the car barge"></a>

I backed my Jeep on just fine and sat back to enjoy the ride. A funny thing happened on the ferry. A family (husband, wife and son) were parked behind me. About 5 minutes into the ride, the husband approached me and asked if I lived on St. John (oh, how I wished I could say, "Why, yes I do!") I told him "no" and he asked if I was very familiar with the island. I told him I was and he pulled out a crinkled St. John map and said they were only going over for the day and asked me what I would recommend if they had limited time.

Okay, folks, you have to understand, I was on the 5:00 pm ferry on a Sunday. This guy just said they were coming over for the DAY. Hmmmmm. I asked him what time they planned to head back and he said they planned to catch the midnight ferry back. Remember folks, we are on the CAR FERRY. Double Hmmmm. I had to break it to him that he was very likely on the last car ferry. Uh-oh. He freaked. I recommended he go speak to the ferry captain and get some more information. I could hear his wife giving him a "what for" at the same time. She TOLD him to check with the front desk.....Anyway, he came back smiling and said the ferry had agreed to take their car back and he and his family would just walk around Cruz Bay and catch the midnight passenger ferry. They could pick up their car from Red Hook when they got in that night. Whew! Still wasn't what they had planned but it sure beat driving up to the car ferry at midnight that night and figuring out there wasn't one!

I was tired and wanted a shower, so I headed to my villa out on Francis Beach. As I drove through Cruz Bay, happiness just bubbled up inside me. I saw Lindy sitting on the corner with a beer in a brown paper bag, I heard music pouring out of Cap's place, and I smelled the smoky barbeque from Uncle Joe's. Everything was comfortably familiar. When I got to Sunnyledge, the sun was setting and I was home.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526663900/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1235/526 ... 5a29b4.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Sunset from Sunnyledge"></a>

Monday, May 21

I woke up early (of course) and discovered I wasn't alone. A cat had taken up residence on my deck. I am not a cat person, but it was nice to have "someone" to talk to! That cat and I chatted it up pretty good my first few days alone. I hope that cat never masters the english language, because she now knows ALL my secrets....

The weather was perfect. I have to say we had sunshine every day of the 10 day trip. One day, it rained in the morning, but was clear by noon. Weather was ideal. HOT, but ideal.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526757539/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1202/526 ... 4a794a.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Francis Bay"></a>

I headed into Cruz Bay first thing. On my way, I saw a couple stranded on the road with their tools, hardhats and work boots. Now, I know it probably wasn't the smartest thing to pick up hitchhikers while alone, but this is St. John and we all know hitchhiking is pretty normal. Besides, it was obvious their car had broken down and they were trying to get to work. So, I loaded them in and they rode into Cruz Bay with me. Kat and Stephen were ex-pats that had lived on St. John a while. Nice folks, but Stephen had either had bourbon for breakfast, or he had a whole lot of it for dinner ......but, hey, to each his own.

I dropped them off in Cruz Bay and headed to the Marketplace. I love Cruz Bay in the early morning. There is so much going on. People are bustling around everywhere, heading to work, getting breakfast, rinsing the streets, watering the flowers. I grabbed a cup of coffee at Book and Bean and sat outside and read the paper. Best morning I'd had in a long time.

Got my groceries and headed back to Sunnyledge. I decided to make it easy and spend my first day on Francis. Sunnyledge sits just above Francis Beach. You could walk to the beach. Well, you could if you are one of those crazy types that I see running up and down the road to Maho with a bottle of water and their jogging shoes. Not me. Besides, you guys already know what happens to me if I have to walk all the way back up a hill. Flip-flops, no water, too lazy, blah, blah, blah.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526909661/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1074/526 ... 01a844.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Francis Beach"></a>

The beach was mostly deserted the whole day. I stayed all day and headed back up to Sunnyledge. I decided to "eat in" because I'm not really one for eating out alone. I made some dinner and a drink (it IS okay to drink alone, isn't it? Or do I need to call Betty Ford?). After dinner, I watched a movie with the cat lying outside my patio door and then the cat and I called it a night.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526695270/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/5266 ... 9f7805.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Another Sunset"></a>

Tuesday, May 22

I hit Maho on Tuesday. To me, Maho is the perfect swimming beach. The soft sand stays shallow so far out into the bay and water is clear and calm. There was a new addition to Maho this trip, I noticed. Chickens. LOTS of chickens. Anyone else see all the chickens? I'd be sitting there reading and a darn chicken would run across my bare feet. It was like being home in TN!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526766781/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1041/526 ... 226e1e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Maho"></a>

Now, I had so far managed to spend almost 2 days on the beach alone without being bothered by some MAN. No offense guys, but girls alone sometimes just want to be "alone".....although, I know none of you fabulous forum dudes would be like that. However, my luck was about to run out. I was swimming ALONE and Mr. 25-Year-Old swims over and says, "Do you want to see my fish? Look under the water."

Well, THERE'S a pick up line I haven't heard before. Um, let me think, how about "Hell no, I don't want to see anything you have under there....." Okay, actually he was very cute, charming, and polite and apparently had a little fish that kept swimming near him. No really, it was a fish. He was a perfect gentleman, so we chatted a bit. It was nice to have someone to talk to other than the cat. However, I am pretty much a loner and I max out on people time pretty quick. When I had reached my conversation quota, I said "see ya" and headed back to my chair. I managed to spend the rest of my beach time alone, but as I was loading up my Jeep, here comes Mr. 25-Year-Old running after me. He asked me to dinner. I have to say, I was incredibly flattered (you have to remember, I am about to turn 37).

No, Jorge, there was no nekkidness and I didn't go.

Before dinner, I headed into Cruz Bay and did some wandering and shopping. I bought a great ring and bracelet from "Into the Blue" and had a Cocoberry Shake at Paradise Caf&eacute; in Wharfside. My favorite!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526701190/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1061/526 ... 37407e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Wharfside Village"></a>

After my shopping, I had dinner fully clothed and ALONE at Sunnyledge. Well, me and the cat. I guess you could say, for all practical purposes, the cat was nekkid.

Wednesday, May 23

I decided to spend Wednesday driving the island (one of my favorite things to do) and getting some photos (my other favorite). Afterwards, I headed into Cruz Bay to wait for the rest of my group. I had some fun with the WebCam, despite an older gentleman looking at me like I was a fool and asking me what I was doing. I did some more shopping and hung out at Joe's Rum Hut and enjoyed the breeze.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526703036/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1166/526 ... 0361a3.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Joe's Rum Hut"></a>

That afternoon, Matt showed up and we had dinner at Morgan's Mango. Grilled Lobster and a Hurricane Marilyn is one of my favorite meals on St. John (Miss Lucy's fish fry and Skinny's burger are the others!). After dinner, we headed to the Beach Bar to wait for everyone else. I was pretty loaded on painkillers by 9:00, expecting my aunt Susan, uncle Bill, cousin Liz, and her boyfriend Brandon to be on the 9:20 passenger ferry. They missed it by 10 minutes. That meant another hour of waiting and painkillers. Uh-oh. By the time they arrived, I think I was asleep in that boat that sits by the bar, but I can't really remember. I may have been dancing with that guy that sits there and makes the grass hats. I don't know. Obviously, the rest of the family eventually made it.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526810351/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1119/526 ... 3207d7.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0131"></a>

Thursday, May 24

My alone time was over. I have to say this about coming to St. John alone: I loved it. St. John is special to me in a way that it is not to Matt. I think of it more as "my place" than "our place," so being there on my own had a whole different feeling. I also learned that when you are alone, EVERYONE speaks to you. I met a lot of nice people. I will definitely do it again.

So, this was the first day with the rest of the group. They were all tired from traveling the night before, so I made everyone banana pancakes for breakfast and thought we'd take it easy that day and just head to Maho for a beach day. It wasn't very crowded and we spent a long, lazy day there. We snorkeled the right side all the way around the point and over toward little Maho, by the campground. It was wonderful.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526818121/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/254/5268 ... f2963d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Maho"></a>

After the beach, we drove over to Coral Bay and went to Shipwreck for drinks. They had a mango pina colada that day that was pretty good! After a bunch of them, I discovered that the bathroom was out of order. Damn, I wish I had paid attention to Pete's post about where the best bathrooms are.....

We head back for showers and naps and then headed out to Cruz Bay for dinner. We had drinks and conch fritters at High Tide so we could watch the sun set over the water and then headed to Lime Inn. Always a good meal here. Everything was excellent. Another great day came to a close.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526751438/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1007/526 ... 43fa07.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Cruz Bay Sunset"></a>

Friday, May 25

Today was Trunk Bay day. Why? Because it was a no-cruise-ship day. My favorite! No offense intended toward those who cruise, but when the taxis and cruise ships start dropping off those hordes clad in their bright yellow snorkel vests, Trunk Bay looks more like Daytona Beach on spring break than St. John. I avoid that at all costs. I'm afraid I'll be out there snorkeling, will suddenly find myself surrounded, and will go postal and start trying to drown yellow vest people. It's just best for everyone that I stay away.

So, we are there hanging out and who should I see walking down the beach? Obsessedmuch! It was like seeing an old friend, even though we had never met. She decided to do the cay snorkel with us and we all grabbed our stuff and headed out. As we walked the beach toward the cay, I saw a guy laying in the sand on his stomach (no towel, no chair) and he had sand all over him. I laughed and commented, and then my aunt noticed the girl next to him was in the same state. They were literally PASSED OUT COLD in the sand. Unfortunately for them, they were in swimsuits and you could see they were already beginning to fry. Folks, if you are going to drink so much that you pass out on the beach, at least remember to put your sunscreen on first....

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526712829/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/251/5267 ... c251aa.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Trunk Cay"></a>

The snorkeling at Trunk was surprisingly good that day. Sometimes, I guess because of the sheer volume of people, it's not always that great. It was great up until we rounded the point and headed down the other side. I know a lot of people prefer to go back the way they came, but we always go around. Why? I don't know. It's crappy over there. The current is strong and there's just a bunch of rocks. Oh well. Obsessed and I were out front and about halfway back to the beach, we literally became engulfed in a cloud of fry - tiny fish EVERYWHERE. I couldn't see a thing. That always makes me feel squirrelly. Well, she must have felt the same way, because the two of us swam back to the beach in record time!

We invited her to join us for lunch, but she declined and said she see us a little later. We ate in the pavilion and then headed back to the beach. Obsessed came back down and chatted for a while and then headed off. A few of us decided to snorkel again and this time, I didn't go around!

After beach time, we had our usual shower and nap time, followed by drinks at the house. Before dinner, we headed down to Gibney/Oppenheimer Beach to see the sunset. It was stunning spot at sunset. All I can say is "Wow." Before the sun was completely set, we headed up to Pastory Gardens for dinner by the light of what remained of the sunset. I love Pastory. It's a great restaurant. The food is good and their drinks are fantastic and STRONG. The sun was setting and it was just a perfect spot to enjoy it. Another great day!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526865803/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1115/526 ... f554c4.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Sunset Footprints"></a>

Saturday, May 26
The newbies were all a little burnt after 2 days in the sun and needed a little beach break to recover (how can you need a break AWAY from the beach?????). Okay, I confess, even I had a burnt butt from all the snorkeling. Ouch. So, we lazed around Sunnyledge for the morning and then headed to Coral Bay.

The first thing we did was head to Skinny Legs. None of them had been and I was curious how they would react. I have taken people there before and they hated it. I love it. It was one of those perfect days at Skinny Legs. It couldn't have been better. The weather was ideal and breezy, no flies, the bathroom was clean!!!!, the food was perfect, and the drinks were cold and strong. After a few coconut swizzles, I was feeling GOOD. The burgers were awesome and that statement has nothing to do with the number of drinks I had prior to my burger's arrival.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526806222/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/253/5268 ... d9621c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Corona at Skinny's"></a>

After lunch, us girls did some drunk shopping at the Jolly Dog and neighboring stores. Don't you love drunk shopping? Everything looks FABULOUS and you've just GOT TO HAVE IT and you don't care what it costs. I ended up buying, like, 7 t-shirts. I think it was because subconsciously I remembered what Flip-Flop said about kicking me out of the club.....

We did the East End drive after lunch and then headed back to the villa. We all ran down to Francis for some snorkeling before heading in.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526840222/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1117/526 ... f8d938.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="East End"></a>

A shower and nap later, we drove back over to Coral Bay for dinner at Miss Lucy's. Giant planks of fried fish, a lime and coconut made with fresh limes, and a table at the waters edge made for a near perfect dinner. The only problem were the no-see-ums. They were swarming us. This was our first bug encounter of the trip. I even found myself smearing bug spray on my face, and girls, you know you have to be pretty desperate to do that!

Well, the boys got this great Boy Scout idea to get a hollow coconut husk and fill it with leaves and catch it on fire. Again, this idea had nothing to do with the number of drinks we had consumed. Funny thing was, it worked. No bugs. At least, it worked until the waitress came out and took it away from us because she was afraid we were going to burn the paint on the table. However, in return, the restaurant lit some leaves and chunks of termite nests on the beach near us and it did the same thing. Okay, burning termites while I eat. I guess that's better than if they had started lighting up donkey crap....had that begun, I'd have been OUT OF THERE.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526851982/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1167/526 ... 4f9bbf.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Do not try this at home..."></a>

After dinner we headed to Cocolobo to grab a few extra provisions at Lily's. I went in alone, which apparently is my kiss of death when it comes to strange men. The guy that worked there kept following me around, smiling. It creeped me out a little. So, I quickly paid and tried to make my getaway. He handed me a free pack of gum and said it was for my pretty smile. Okay, free gum. I can live with being ogled if it gets me free gum. Does that make me cheap?

We ran into a couple of shops in Cocolobo and I bought a couple of cool hand woven bracelets. Then it was back to the villa.

Sunday, May 27

I had decided we'd head to Hawksnest on Sunday. Dumb Butt that I am, I didn't realize this was the day of the Beach-to-Beach power swim and that Hawksnet was the finish line! Surprisingly, though, it wasn't too crowded. Plus, there was some live music and big beach balls, so it was kind of festive and fun. The snorkeling at Hawksnest is always good, but today the waves were kind of big and there were little jellyfish everywhere. I figured out pretty quickly that they weren't stinging (no tentacles?). So, there was no fear, but they were really hard to see and every once in a while, one would slime its way across my face. Eeewww.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526962725/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1014/526 ... c78602.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Hawksnest"></a>

When we got hungry, we headed back to the villa for lunch, showers, and down time. Around 2:00, Liz, Brandon, Matt and I headed toward Cruz Bay. Bill and Susan wanted to come a little later. We stopped and drove into Caneel Bay first so that Liz and Brandon could check it out. They are getting married next summer and want to honeymoon on St. John.

The next stop was the Beach Bar. We got there kind of early and grabbed some tables and chairs down on the beach, knowing forumites would be showing up. We started hitting the painkillers and didn't slow down. It was HOT but the drinks were good, the company was fun, and the music was great. Jan and Mike from VA were the first to get there. Mike had some stitches and had a cold, but other than that, they seemed to be having a good time so far. Then Obsessed arrived, then Ron and Ruth and Liamsaunt and her husband arrived. After that, lots of people kept joining us, and I have to be completely honest, I don't know who some of them were. I know Randy and Marcia (building Reef Madness in Coral Bay) were there, and I know Rob and Cindi were there, other than that, it got kind of fuzzy. I'd had about 5 painkillers by then, and being a small girl with a 3 drink limit, I can't really speak for myself at that point.....

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526995277/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1012/526 ... ee1044.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Forumites at the Beach Bar"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526997323/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1015/526 ... 28acfa.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="VickiH, Obsessedmuch, and Liamsaunt"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/527015809/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1068/527 ... 3e9abe.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Beach Bar Forum Gathering"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/527019275/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1048/527 ... 82fdef.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Beach Bar Forumites"></a>
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At some point, my aunt and uncle showed up. By then, the rest of us were 3 sheets to the wind. I think Matt and my uncle went and bought bowls made by the guy that makes bowls and hats out of leaves and sells them. We didn't really want one, but he sat there tossing them and spinning them, working so hard at it, and no one was buying one. So, we bought TWO, like one wasn't bad enough.

We said our "goodbyes" to the other forum members and headed to Morgan's Mango for dinner. Everything was great again and after another drink, I really don't remember much else.....

Wait. I do remember one thing. I vaguely remember Matt waking me up at about 2 am because I had somehow, in my inebriated state, locked our bathroom door from the outside. And there was no way to get in. And he was "sick." And the only other bathrooms were inside the other bedrooms. Uh-oh. After sending him out into the bushes in the dark of night with the crazy cat and mating iguanas, I managed to pick the lock with a paper clip. I must have conked back out because I don't remember anything else.....apparently, I was very concerned about his well being....

Monday, May 28

This was the only day we woke up to rain. It was actually a good thing, because the guys were hung over and needed a little time to recover. I did my best to sit still all morning and read, but when I am on St. John, sitting at the villa for too long just does me in. Obsessed called because we had thought we'd try to go to Waterlemon that morning and I told her it was storming. Around 10:00, it looked like we were getting a break, and I called her and we agreed to meet at the Annaberg lot, but in 5 minutes, black clouds rolled back in, so I drove over there and she and I met in the rain. We decided to head back to our villas and try again later.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526969758/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1098/526 ... 891acc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Leinster Bay"></a>

By 11:00, all was clear. We ate lunch and headed to Annaberg. We decided to walk through the ruins and I am so glad we did. The flamboyant trees were in full bloom and it was just beautiful. Obsessed arrived while we were there and we all headed to Waterlemon.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/527053921/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1187/527 ... d59f14.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Annaberg"></a>

Waterlemon is the best. This particular day, it was amazing. We saw tons of fish, a giant spotted eagle ray (about 5 feet across), a starfish convention, and a turtle that was not very shy. It let us hang around close to it for a really long time. Just great. We headed back to the parking lot and said "bye" to Obsessed.

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I wanted ice-cream, so we drove to Cruz Bay and tried I Scream. I had a giant cup of chocolate soft serve with Snickers. Mmmm, it was good. You have to try this place. There is nothing like ice-cream after the beach.

We cleaned up and had some drinks at the villa. Then we headed to Shipwreck Landing for dinner. Another great meal with a terrific view.

Tuesday, May 28

This was our last full day, and boy was it a humdinger! We always sail with Cpt. Clark (Whitewing) because he has simply been fantastic every time. He can't be beat. He didn't fail to deliver this time either!

We headed over to Coral Bay Marina to meet him at 9:00 am. We got there a little early, so I decided to walk around and take some pictures while we waited. Well, there was a little donkey convention in the road, so I thought I snap a few shots. Harmless, right? Well, they were walking away from me, so I wanted to see if I could get closer. I kept walking toward them, and they paid me no mind. Well, one of them apparently decided he'd had enough of nosy tourists. He turned and started toward me, pretty slowly. Well, I didn't care. I thought, "Cool, he's coming this way," so I kept snapping away. Mr. Donkey kept getting a little faster, and a little faster. So, I, very nonchalantly turned and started strolling away, thinking he'd head back to his posse. Well, next thing I knew, I heard him clippity-clopping toward me at a full gallop. Crap! I was being charged by a donkey! I must have been quite a sight, running down the road in my flip-flops with my camera being chased by this donkey. He was literally right on my heels and I was trying to decide what I was going to do if he caught me, and he stopped, snorted, and turned back. I guess he was showing off for his girls. I am sure he went back and bragged to all his little donkey friends. Jackass.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/527070129/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/234/5270 ... c3cb76.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="I'm being chased!"></a>

Well, at 9:00 am sharp, Cpt. Clark arrived and loaded us up on the dingy to take us out to the boat. We headed out of Coral Bay toward Tortola. The day was bright and beautiful and he served drinks as we sailed to Road Town, Tortola. We arrived around 11:00 and he let us cruise around Road Town while he cleared us through customs. The old part of town was very cool and we walked through the brightly colored buildings and flamboyant trees. We found a small bakery run by culinary students and had to try it out. OMG! Yum. That's all I can say. I stuffed my face good. There was a really crappy looking souvenir shop across the street and the elderly, toothless proprietor came over and talked to us. She was very sweet and of course, the softy men then felt they had to go buy something from her. They came back with the ugliest tank-tops I have ever seen. They had some stains on them and seemed to be two different colors (not on purpose). They said they were the best things she had. Us girls laughed about that the rest of the day, especially when their shirts got wet later and they all had to put on the tank tops.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/527002396/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1226/527 ... b1fd61.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Main Street, Road Town, Tortola"></a>

After Road Town, we sailed over to the Indians to snorkel. On the way, Cpt. Clark made us his signature lunch of the world's best turkey sandwich, chips, and cold drinks. He cranked up the music and by the time the eating was done, we were there. The snorkeling at the Indians was simply astounding. I have never seen so many fish. It was overwhelming. We stayed in the water a really long time and when we tried to get out, we found that a barracuda had parked itself beside our ladder. Yikes! Cpt. Clark tossed some fish off the front of the boat so we could get out without having to battle the barracuda for rights to the ladder.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526642926/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/5266 ... 5223b2.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Get away from the ladder!"></a>

After the Indians, we headed a short distance to the Caves. On the way Cpt. Clark told us a couple of stories about shark sightings in that area. Great. I don't exactly maintain my composure in the face of a shark. Anyway, we snorkeled the caves and it was very cool. There was a small reef at the end of the island and we headed to it. Cpt. Clark had pulled the boat over there so we could board after we did the reef. Well, I can never seem to stay with the group, I'm always ahead or behind or just way off on my own somewhere. This was no exception. I was way ahead of everyone when I saw a really big shark. He must have been about 6 feet. Now, that's big to me. He was fat and gray and was most definitely not a nurse shark. Well, I practically walked on water back to the group. According to them, I swam up really fast and frantic and started saying, "Big shark, big shark, REALLY big," and pointing. Did we head to the boat? Hell no, we all swam like idiots over to where the shark was. The girls were linked arm in arm, three of us across, looking for it, like we though if we made ourselves look like something really big, we'd scare it. Ha! Well, we did see it again. Big guy, cruising below us. It was scary, but very cool. We headed to the boat. Cpt. Clark pulled out his shark book and asked us to find the one it looked like. We all agreed it looked like the bull shark. He said they'd been seen in that area. Did I get a photo? Of course not.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/526735907/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1023/526 ... 403663.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="The Caves"></a>

Did you know that among sharks, the shark that has the highest human attack rate is the bull shark? Nice to know.

So, by this time, it's getting into the late afternoon. This is when your average boat captain takes you back. Not Cpt. Clark. He looks at us and says, "You want to go to the Norman Island Beach Bar for sunset?" All right! He makes us painkillers and we head over.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/527151797/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1059/527 ... 751706.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Norman Island Beach Bar"></a>

This place was great. Nothing else on this island that I could see, but this bar. They had the best bushwhacker I have ever had. By this point, we are all getting fuzzy. We had drinks on the beach and those that could, danced. I am not one of those, by the way. After sunset, you would think Cpt. Clark would say, "Okay folks, it's 7:00 pm, I am taking you back." No way. Instead he says, "You want to go have dinner on the Willy T?"

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42427255@N00/527117098/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1105/527 ... d4fc96.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Willy T"></a>

To the Willy T we go. Dinner was great from what little I remember. After dinner and drinks, Cpt. Clark took us back to Coral Bay. We got back on land at 10:30 pm. Did I tell you he was the best? He's the best.

We all fell into bed, dead tired. What a perfect last day!

Wednesday, May 30

This is the day we all know and hate. Time to go home. We packed up and headed to Cruz Bay. We did a little shopping, went through customs with Cpt. Clark from our trip the day before, and headed to the car ferry around noon. When we got over to the airport, we stopped and had lunch at the Island Beachcomber beach bar and then arrived at the airport at 2:00 for our 4:00 flight. We had no trouble going through the airport and our flight was almost on time (30 minutes), not too bad.

As I walked outside toward my plane, I inhaled that warm, salty air one last time. I hope I'm back soon.

How do i get in touch with the Captain Clark? Does he have a website?
Thanks and great trip report
Go Bucs