10 more days in paradise, part two

[liamsaunt]

The first installment of my trip report can be found here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... 4b1f7d3be6

Day four

We got up late--around 9 AM. I made eggs benedict:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284967146/" title="69 Gallows eggs benedict by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/328 ... 792f85.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="69 Gallows eggs benedict"></a>


Then we headed to Francis Bay.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284145825/" title="73 Francis Bay beach xoxo by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3609/328 ... 3a2bef.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="73 Francis Bay beach xoxo"></a>


It was kind of crowded, but everyone was clustered on the left side by the entrance. Down on the right,
the beach was deserted. So, of course, that is where we went.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284967956/" title="76 Francis Becky 3 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/328 ... 78a550.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="76 Francis Becky 3"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284967886/" title="75 Francis Bay pelicans by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/328 ... b188d3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="75 Francis Bay pelicans"></a>

Spent some time in the sun to warm up and then headed out to snorkel the right out to Mary Point. We made some excellent finds, including tang:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284149833/" title="98 Francis tang 4 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/328 ... 24e3f8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="98 Francis tang 4"></a>


snapper...check out this snapper feasting on an eel!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284147873/" title="88 Francis snapper with eel 6 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/328 ... 0e0ef4.jpg" width="410" height="500" alt="88 Francis snapper with eel 6"></a>


baby barracuda:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284968346/" title="79 Francis baby barracuda 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/328 ... 4e5dde.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="79 Francis baby barracuda 2"></a>


What is this green stuff? I've never seen it before:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284970810/" title="94 Francis green growth by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/328 ... c08223.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="94 Francis green growth"></a>


fry:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284970672/" title="93 Francis gobies by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/328 ... 8547c0.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="93 Francis gobies"></a>


Pretty far out we discovered an octopus devouring a conch:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284813900/" title="105 Francis octopus 44 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/328 ... 0d26fe.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="105 Francis octopus 44"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284813624/" title="101 Francis octopus 4 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/328 ... fe6d36.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="101 Francis octopus 4"></a>


Lots of hermit crabs:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284815216/" title="117 Francis hermit crab in conch by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/328 ... 6ec2b8.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="117 Francis hermit crab in conch"></a>

Squid:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284814054/" title="107 Francis squid 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/328 ... 46d494.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="107 Francis squid 2"></a>

On the way back in, we found a large turtle. It did not look too happy to see us though--look at that face!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284815586/" title="118 Francis turtle 10 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/328 ... 993bac.jpg" width="500" height="349" alt="118 Francis turtle 10"></a>

So needless to say we kept on going.

When we left, I counted the people on the beach. 79!! That is crazy. (Of course, when I say this to people who have only been to the Cape/Jersey Shore, etc., they look at me like I am the crazy one!)

Dinner was at Asolare. Review here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/s ... 5057.shtml

View:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284817208/" title="131 Asolare view by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/328 ... 66922a.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="131 Asolare view"></a>


Cocktails:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284816866/" title="128 Asolare cocktails by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/328 ... 52a1de.jpg" width="500" height="351" alt="128 Asolare cocktails"></a>

Dellcious shrimp-lemongrass soup:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284817108/" title="130 Asolare soup by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/328 ... a6626b.jpg" width="500" height="344" alt="130 Asolare soup"></a>

Back to Gallows for stargazing.


Day five

Slept late again--9:15. The plan was to go to Waterlemon, but when we got to the North Shore Road there were signs stating high surf advisory, so we changed plans and headed to Blue Cobblestone. We stopped at the Trunk overlook--there were big waves. Nobody really was in the water.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3283996349/" title="131.2 Trunk Bay framed by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3563/328 ... ffcd83.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="131.2 Trunk Bay framed"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3283996235/" title="131.11Trunk cay 4 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/328 ... 37b5bb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="131.11Trunk cay 4"></a>


Salt Pond was pretty busy, but we had Blue Cobblestone to ourselves.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3283997311/" title="133 Blue Cobblestone beach 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/328 ... b2c9eb.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="133 Blue Cobblestone beach 2"></a>


What an awesome snorkel! We found the usual small fish making aquarium-like scenes:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3283998855/" title="144 Blue Cobblestone sms 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3529/328 ... 4a8d80.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="144 Blue Cobblestone sms 2"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284819514/" title="140 Blue Cobblestone aquairum 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/328 ... 093ee1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="140 Blue Cobblestone aquairum 2"></a>

a big nurse shark:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N ... 410/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/328 ... 6d1360.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="147 Blue Cobblestone nurse shark 4"></a>

and a hawksbill turtle:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284821658/" title="152 Blue Cobblestone hawsbill by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/328 ... 9661a8.jpg" width="380" height="500" alt="152 Blue Cobblestone hawsbill"></a>


Many sightings, including porkfish, spanish hogfish:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N ... 804/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/328 ... 6f9f63.jpg" width="500" height="347" alt="153 Blue Cobblesteon spanish hogfish"></a>

parrotfish, barracuda, etc.

Salt Pond was too busy to snorkel and I was not in the mood for Drunk, so we headed up the HOT, STEEP hill back to the car. I don't know why I hate this walk so much. The walk to Blue Cobblestone is longer and steeper. I do though. I really hate it.

Lunch was at Shipwreck Landing.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284000733/" title="154 Shipwreck sign by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/328 ... 8bdefa.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="154 Shipwreck sign"></a>

Review here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/s ... 5515.shtml

Lime in the Coconut and Shipwreck Shake:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284822344/" title="158 Shipwreck drinks by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/328 ... a7c7aa.jpg" width="416" height="500" alt="158 Shipwreck drinks"></a>

Mahi sandwich:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284001173/" title="159 Shipwreck Landing mahi by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/328 ... 2e76ba.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="159 Shipwreck Landing mahi"></a>

Back to Gallows for showers, booktime, and sunset.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284968508/" title="8.1 gallows sunset 15 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/328 ... 653e80.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="8.1 gallows sunset 15"></a>

We had planned to go to La Plancha del Mar, but we were too lazy to drive over, so ended up at Zozos.

Review here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/s ... 5013.shtml

Spinach salad:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284001985/" title="162 Zozos salad by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3356/328 ... c7b29f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="162 Zozos salad"></a>

Bruschetta:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284001817/" title="160 Zozos bruchetta by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3511/328 ... e2480a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="160 Zozos bruchetta"></a>

Veal porterhouse:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284002357/" title="165 Zozos veal by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/328 ... 402fd2.jpg" width="500" height="251" alt="165 Zozos veal"></a>

Tiramisu:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284002519/" title="169 Zozos tiramisu by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/328 ... 10068d.jpg" width="500" height="342" alt="169 Zozos tiramisu"></a>

Zozos view...Windjammer leaving:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284823512/" title="167 Zozos windjammer by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/328 ... 9531da.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="167 Zozos windjammer"></a>

Back to 2C for stargazing and bed.

Day six

Started out with a large breakfast since we had a lot of snorkeling planned.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284002653/" title="170 breakfast by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/328 ... aa52ee.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="170 breakfast"></a>

We started at Haulover North.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284002743/" title="171 Haulover North entrance by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3473/328 ... dbe080.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="171 Haulover North entrance"></a>

Right when we got to the beach, we saw a green turtle surfacing just offshore so we headed out
to visit.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284006883/" title="198 Haulover North turtle 10 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/328 ... 32bee1.jpg" width="500" height="295" alt="198 Haulover North turtle 10"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284007587/" title="200 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/328 ... df4afc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="200"></a>

I love this snorkel. I think the coral is some of the healthiest looking on St. John.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284825484/" title="183 Haulover North fire coral by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/328 ... 6bb00a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="183 Haulover North fire coral"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N ... 691/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3658/328 ... 1c9b8d.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="178 Haulover North coral assortment 2"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N ... 222/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3135/328 ... d67a3d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="181 Haulover North coral assortment"></a>

We also found a large school of beautiful blue tang:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284009687/" title="213 Haulover North tang 14 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/328 ... 82986c.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="213 Haulover North tang 14"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284831344/" title="216 Haulover North tang 16 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/328 ... f79796.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="216 Haulover North tang 16"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284830540/" title="210 Haulover North tang 8 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/328 ... ef901f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="210 Haulover North tang 8"></a>


and tons of trumpetfish.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284827376/" title="194 Haulover North trumpetfish 3 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/328 ... ceaf19.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="194 Haulover North trumpetfish 3"></a>

Coney:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284004013/" title="180 Haulover North coney by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/328 ... 1c3424.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="180 Haulover North coney"></a>


Red Hind:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284005809/" title="191 Haulover North Red Hind by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/328 ... 44f98d.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="191 Haulover North Red Hind"></a>


Spotfin butterflyfish:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N ... 935/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/328 ... 56abf0.jpg" width="500" height="428"></a>


Juvenile damselfish:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N ... 077/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/328 ... ef6b64.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="189 Haulover North juvenile damselfish"></a>

Next we headed to Haulover South.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284834352/" title="234 Haulover South widescreen by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/328 ... 2b92bc.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="234 Haulover South widescreen"></a>


We started out snorkeling the rocks on the left side, and found the largest Hawksbill turtle I have ever
seen!


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284833530/" title="229 Haulover South hawksbill 8 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/328 ... f72d25.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="229 Haulover South hawksbill 8"></a>


We were very near when we noticed it, and it was already watching us. We stopped to observe, and the turtle did not care at all--in fact it just kept coming closer and closer! I finally had to move because I seriously thought it was going to brush against me. I'm sure it would not have but I did not want to take a chance. I've never had a turtle get that close before.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284833014/" title="225 Haulover South hawksbill 5 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3502/328 ... ae29fc.jpg" width="500" height="314" alt="225 Haulover South hawksbill 5"></a>

We found lots of smaller fish. Trunkfish:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284834222/" title="233 Haulover South trunkfish by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/328 ... 955cb3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="233 Haulover South trunkfish"></a>

and I also found a razor clam. I've never seen one of those on St. John before.

Lunch was at the Tourist Trap.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284013397/" title="237 Tourist Trap by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/328 ... f80aae.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="237 Tourist Trap"></a>


Review here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/s ... 5425.shtml


Mahi sandwich:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284014007/" title="242 Tourist Trap sandwich by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/328 ... 1ed3d8.jpg" width="500" height="370" alt="242 Tourist Trap sandwich"></a>

The house specialty: drink right, keep left:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N ... 646/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/328 ... d4e38e.jpg" width="410" height="500" alt="238 Tourist Trap drink right keep left"></a>

Back to Gallows for a late afternoon snorkel at Frank. Nothing particularly spectacular, just lots of the usuals.

Scrawled cowfish:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284972036/" title="F251 rank scrawled cowfish by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/328 ... 3f6435.jpg" width="500" height="324" alt="F251 rank scrawled cowfish"></a>


Sunset:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284130349/" title="43.2 Gallows super sunset by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/328 ... 8e46d3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="43.2 Gallows super sunset"></a>

Dinner was at La Tapa. Review here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/s ... 4813.shtml

Back to Gallows for stargazing and sleep.

[shoemak38]

your pictures keep getting better and better

[Xislandgirl]

I just love your reports! I really feel like you capture all the best parts of a STJ vacation.

[piscesgirl0314]

I'm loving your food pictures. Your breakfasts look as yummy as ANYTHING you can get from a restaurant...can't wait for the rest of it...thanks for sharing...

[onthelake]

Your pictures are great ...
Nice combo 'food porn' and 'underwater' shots

Looks like you are having a great time!!

[stjdeb]

AWESOME!!!! Thank you very much!

[sea-nile]

WOW! Great report!
I love you pictures of the food, drink and the underwater ones are fabulous!

[cat]

Your food pics are amazing as are the underwater shots! You always have such wonderful reports to read and see! It is like being there with you! Thank you for sharing!!!!!

[Bob & Anita]

Outstanding picture based report. They really make us want to be there right NOW!

[PA Girl]

Excellent underwater pictures!

[djmom]

all I can say is WOW.

and nobobdy better show anybody (outsiders) these trip reports or our dear island is going to be packed and run over with people!

fabulous.

p.s. gotta love the spanish hogfish. both of my girls' "favorite fish". Cant wait to show them these pics.

[Agent99]

Great luck finding that octopus! I especially enjoy the restaurant reviews. That Asolare Soup does sound delish.

[Nic in KC]

I can honestly say I've become a better snorkeler because of your reports. I've been able to see so much more! Thanks again for a great installment. La Tapa is about our top fave too. Can't beat that salad!! I recently found one here in KC that is very similar!

Thanks for the wonderful pictures!
Nicolle

[ifloat]

Makes me want to hire you as my snorkel guide! Thanks for the great report.

[mahojim]

I absolutely love your pix of both the sealife, as well as the food/drinks! You're making me hungry & thirsty for all three!!!
Thanks for sharing, and
Smiles-
MJ